Troubleshooting Ford Thunderbird Sequential Turn Signals

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1967-1968 THUNDERBIRD

Troubleshooting Sequential Turn Signals

© Cougars Unlimited, 6831 Truchas Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

This article covers troubleshooting 1967-1968 Mercury Cougar sequential turn signals. While most the information as been acquired through experience on a 1968 model, the ideas can be applied when servicing a 1967 model too. This information is also applicable to 1967 - 1968 T-Birds as they share the same basic design and parts.

The turn signal system has five electro-mechanical parts: the turn signal switch, (located in the steering column), a turn signal relay (located under the dash), a directional relay, an emergency relay, and a motor-driven sequencer (located in the driver's side trunk under the mat or behind the backseat in T-Birds). The 1967 system also has an emergency relay and a turn indicator relay under the dash. The most failure prone parts are the mechanical sequencer, the turn signal switch, and the emergency relay in the trunk. Circuit diagrams may be found in the appropriate year factory shop manual.

Basically, the system works as follows: when the directional lever on the turn signal switch is moved, it completes circuits that select and feed power to the corresponding bank of lights. Power for the lights is fed through the turn signal relay to the sequencer. The sequencer has three cams that, when rotated, depress switches corresponding to the inboard, center, and outboard tail lights. The power is then routed first through the emergency relay (which disconnects all but the center light if the emergency switch is on for Cougars and connects all lights together for T-Birds.) and then to the directional relay. This two-sectioned (right and left) relay routes power through to the selected bank of lights. Since brake lights are not sequenced, the directional relay allows all lights to turn on simultaneously when the brake light power feed is energized. But when the turn signal switch is actuated, the brake light power feed is disconnected and the turn signal feed is activated to allow the directional signal to override the brake lights.

Now that you understand a little about how your turn signal system works, you can start troubleshooting. You will need a VOM (Volt-Ohm-Meter) and the circuit diagram for your year car. The most common complaints are: no turn signals, one or more lights on but not flashing, one or more lights flashing, and center and front lights only flashing. The first place to check is the in-line fuse under the dash to the right the steering column. The next stop is to check all bulbs and their sockets. If these are all good, then now the real sleuthing must begin!

No turn signals:

When the turn signal lever is depressed, no lights come on anywhere. Start by depressing the emergency switch, if the emergency flashers work, the turn signal switch is most likely bad. Next, listen to the directional relay for a click while moving the turn signal lever. If there is no sound, disconnect the turn signal switch from the harness and check it according to Table 1. The table shows wire pairs that should be shorted together when the switch is in the position indicated. If any of the connections are open, replace the switch. Usually the switch has failed when the plastic around the riveted contacts in the area around the emergency button appears to be burnt or melted. This can be seen with the steering wheel removed.

Some or all lights on but not flashing:

This usually means that the motor in the sequencer has quit. Remove the white cover from the sequencer and see if the motor is turning the cam. FORD has discontinued the unit but an electronic replacement is available from Cougars Unlimited; see links in table 3 (Replacement Parts).

One or more lights flashing:

If all bulbs are OK, the trouble is most likely in the sequencer. The switch contacts erode away with age. Sometimes they can be cleaned up with an ignition points file, but this is just a temporary fix. The best solution is to replace the sequencer with an electronic unit. A replacement is available from Cougars Unlimited; see links in table 3 (Replacement Parts).

Center and front light flashing only:

This is the normal mode for the emergency lights on a Cougar, but will occur if the emergency relay fails. On a T-Bird with the emergency flashers on, this indicates that the emergency relay is bad. A replacement is available from Cougars Unlimited; see links in table 3 (Replacement Parts). 

Dash indicator light doesn't flash:

The indicator relay is calibrated to click and operate the dash light when all four bulbs (1 in front, and 3 in back) are working - check the bulbs first. A low battery, poor charging system, bad connections in the turn signal switch, or bad relay can cause this problem

Table 1. 1967 or 1968 Turn signal switch connections

1967/1968 Turn signal switch connector pin diagrams

Table 2a. OEM Parts list

Table 3. Replacement Parts list  / Click on part # to View

08/29/03 SEQTS

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1969-1971 Thunderbird

Troubleshooting 1969-1971 Sequential Turn Signals

© Cougars Unlimited, 6831 Truchas Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

This guide covers troubleshooting 1969-1973 Mercury Cougar, 1969-1971 Thunderbird, and 1969-1970 Shelby Mustang sequential turn signals.

The turn signal system has four parts: the turn signal switch, (located in the steering column), a turn signal flasher can (located under the dash), an emergency (also located under the dash), and a turn signal sequential flasher (a black plastic case located in the driver's side fender well under the trunk mat in Cougars and Shelby Mustangs and behind the backseat in T-Birds). The most failure prone parts are the turn signal switch, the turn signal flasher can and the sequential flasher.

Basically, the system works as follows: when the directional lever on the turn signal switch is depressed, it completes circuits that select and feed power to the corresponding bank of lights. Power for the lights is fed through the flasher can to the sequencer and to the inner tail lights. The sequencer has electronic switches corresponding to the center, and outboard tail lights. When the turn signal switch and the brakes are applied simultaneously, the sequencer causes the turn signal to override the brake lights for the side chosen. Normally, applying the brake causes all the rear tail lights to come on at the same time. Pulling the emergency switch causes all the rear tail lights and the front indicator lights to flash together.

Now that you understand a little about how your turn signal system works, you can start troubleshooting. You will need a VOM (Volt-Ohm-Meter) and the circuit diagram for your year car. The most common complaints are: no turn signals, one or more lights on but not flashing, all lights flash together, and one or more lights flashing. Obviously, the first place to check is the fuse under the dash in the fuse box. The next item is to check all bulbs and their sockets. If these are all good, then now the real sleuthing must begin!

No turn signals:

When the turn signal lever is depressed, no lights come on anywhere. Start by depressing the emergency switch, if the emergency flashers work, the turn signal switch is most likely bad. Disconnect the turn signal switch from the harness under the dash next to the steering column and check it according to Table 1. The table shows wire pairs that should be shorted together when the switch is in the position indicated. If any of the connections are open, replace the switch. Usually the switch has failed when the plastic around the riveted contacts in the area around the emergency button appears to be burnt or melted. The switch has failed when one of the rivets has risen up about 1/16 of an inch from flush. This can only be seen with the steering wheel removed.

For the turn signals to work, you must have power as follows at the sequential flasher connectors in the trunk:

  Left turn signal operation:      Green-Orange (LH Inner light) AND Green-White (LH Front)

  Right turn signal operation:     Orange-Blue (RH Inner light)  AND White-Blue  (RH Front)

All lights on but not flashing:

This usually means that the turn signal flasher can is bad. This is a special unit designed specifically for the Ford sequencer and is no longer available from Ford. An electronic replacement is available (DOWY-13350-AR). Note: If any lights are bad, no flashing will occur because the flasher can is calibrated for 4 lights (3 rear, 1 front).

All lights flash together:

The special turn signal flasher can (DOWY-13350-AR) has probably been replaced with a standard unit. The original flasher can (red or green, labeled "4 lamp sequential trigger") is a special unit designed specifically for the Ford sequencer and is no longer available from Ford. An electronic replacement is available from Cougars Unlimited (DOWY-13350-AR ).

One or more lights not flashing:

If all bulbs are OK, the trouble is most likely in the sequential flasher unit in the trunk. Ford has obsoleted this part but an electronic replacement is available from Cougars Unlimited (C9WY-13A366-AR).

One side flashing only:

If only one side flashes, the turn signal switch in the column is most likely bad.

Front lights only flashing:

If only the front turn signal lights flash, the turn signal switch in the column is most likely bad.

Inner lights only flashing:

If only the inner-most rear lights flash (and the front lights), use a tester to determine whether there is power available at the red harness connector on the Green-White (left turn signal on) and on the White-Blue (right turn signal on) wires. If both signals are OK, the sequential flasher unit in the trunk is most likely bad and is available from Cougars Unlimited (C9WY-13A366-AR). Otherwise, the turn signal switch in the column is bad.

Outer light on both sides not flashing or flashing very dim:

If the inner and center lights are flashing correctly and the outer light is not flashing or flashing very dim (especially with the parking or headlights on), the flasher can (located under the dash) is turning off and on too fast. The lights should all stay on about .3 to .4 seconds. Replace the flasher can with a slower unit (DOWY-13350-AR ) that will allow enough time for the outer light to turn on brightly.

No brake lights:

For the brake lights to work, you must have power on three wires at the sequential flasher connectors in the trunk:

        Green-Orange (LH Inner light)

        Orange-Blue  (RH Inner light)

        Green        (Brake signal from brake light switch under the dash)

If there is no power on the Green wire, check the brake light switch under the dash attached to the brake pedal.

If there is no power on the Green-Orange or Orange-Blue wire, check the turn signal switch connector under the dash. Make sure all the pins are seated into the connector shells and the both connector are fully seated together. If the connector is ok, the turn signal switch is probably bad.

No brake lights on Right or Left side:

Check the turn signal switch connector under the dash - see previous section for details. The turn signal switch is most likely bad.

Table 1. 1969 - 1971 Turn signal switch connections

Replacement Parts list / 1969-1971 T-Bird  / Click on part # to View

Flasher Unit        C9WY-13A366-AR

Flasher Can           DOWY-13350-AR 

 69seqts.htm 11/21/00