After Repairing Front Turn Signal, it does not work properly with headlights on

[bluekayak]

Re:  1990 Winnebago Elandan with a P32 chassis with a 454 (L19) and M40 tranny.

My Elandan was in the shop and one of the items was to repair the front, left turn signal. The mechanic said the socket was corroded, and it worked fine after replacing the socket. It did work fine without the headlights on.

However, when I went to leave the shop I had the headlights on, and the turn signal blinked very slowly. In addition, the cabin turn signal indicator on the left side was on steady even when the stalk was in the level (non-turning) position. When I turned the headlights off, the turn signal worked normally (both outside and inside the cabin).

I emailed the electrical diagrams to my mechanic tonight (thanks for that hint Dave). Has anyone seen anything like this before or have any suggestions for my mechanic?

Thanks,

Jerry

[DaveVA78Chieftain]

Headlight Wiring diagram Section B, page 13 (pdf page 223).  Bad ground wire for headlight circuit. Headlight is seeking a path to ground via the turn/marker lights.

[bluekayak]

Thanks so much Dave. I am forwarding your post to my mechanic. Hope to finally pick it up tomorrow.

Jerry

[Trunkhill1]

Headlight Wiring diagram Section B, page 13 (pdf page 223).  Bad ground wire for headlight circuit. Headlight is seeking a path to ground via the turn/marker lights.

Couldn't agree more with a grounding issue.  For CYA, check the fuses and the turn signal capacitor unit (in the fuse block as well). 

[bluekayak]

Thanks Trunkhill1,

I just forwarded your post to my mechanic.

Jerry

[Rickf1985]

Sir, Is your mechanic a full time mechanic? Just wondering. I am not making any insinuations but if he is charging you full rate for these repairs then it may be time to find someone with a little better automotive electrical knowledge. Most of this stuff so far has been pretty basic problems.

[bluekayak]

We have three RV dealers in the area. I called the one I think the most of and asked if they could do some work on my motorhome. I was surprised when they told me they only worked on fifth wheels and trailers, but this is the place they took their motorhomes for mechanical work. I have not been totally satisfied, but it did run great on the way home tonight. I hope to get some pictures posted tomorrow in the thread with my stalling and starting problems.

The mechanic ended up replacing the light with a different one. I am not sure he had read any of the emails I sent. This was a learning experience for me, and next time I will be better prepared when I bring it in for mechanical work. Of course, when I bought it in I thought it would only be to replace the shocks and steering dampener.

Jerry

[DRMousseau]

A LOT of mechanics lack important basic electrical skills and knowledge. Know a few that were color-blind and had even greater difficulties with electrical systems if there were anything more than red, white, or black to contend with. Many other's lack important problem solving skills necessary too.

Most of these mechanics simply replace if not working,... still not working?? Replace something else, without any understanding of WHY it doesn't work. This can make for expensive repair costs till the proper cause is stumbled on and eventually replaced or repaired.

Most anyone can change a tire,... or shocks, or steering damper,.... or a light assembly.

[Froggy1936]

Dr. Over the many years of veh insp & repairs I have experienced memorable problems that were not easy to solve , Like all 4 beams on headlights not working , Due to all 4 filiments blown out, or a filament in a stop light bulb broken loose and touching the parking light filament , Or both stop light bubs blown out , A bad dimmer switch causing low or high beams to be out .Not to mention bad grounds or blown fuse wires Knowledge and experience are a definite requirement of choosing a repair facility  Frank