Turn signal touble

[steven1213]

I have a 1976 Chevy K20 and The turn sigal no longer flashes. When turning left, the indicator light on the dash just stays on and the right turn signal does not come on at all. The left tail light does brighten when I put the lever down but I don't think the right does anything. Does it sound like the problem is in the unit in the steering column or in a flasher/relay under the dash?
Any help is appreciated.---------Steve

[Chevy_Finatic79]

sounds like your flasher went bad and maybe a bulb behind the right green arrow also $5 fix

[leolkfrm]

do you hear the flasher clicking? if not replace it and try again

[steven1213]

I replaced the flasher and it still just stays on with the lever on the left turn side and the flasher now blinks very slowly when the right signal is on. The left front bulb is burnt out. Don't know if it has anything to do with it.

[Chevy_Finatic79]

first yes you should replace the bulb to narrow down the problem.

2nd.
you need to "check" all of the light systems a helper is very useful here. turn on the left inspect, then turn on thr right inspect, then turn on the hazzards inspect. if the lights come on when the hazzards are on but not when the normal L/R signal is selected via the lever position. A bad ground is likely your problem

while your at it make sure your brake lights, running lights function properly

[crabtruck]

Originally Posted by steven1213

....flasher ... still just stays on with the lever on the left turn side and the flasher now blinks very slowly when the right signal is on. The left front bulb is burnt out. Don't know if it has anything to do with it.

Simple flashers responded to the load in a manner similar to circuit breakers.
They start "on" and the current for the lamps causes heat in the flasher.
This trips the "breaker" and the lamps blink off until flasher cools. Repeat.
This is what causes the clicking noise.
Reducing the load on flasher by dead bulb will slow or stop this process.
Rate or "no blink" can also be affected by "heavy duty" flashers.

Start by making sure all bulbs are good, right type, and checking correct flasher.
This does not sound like a switch problem, most likely bulbs or grounds.
Quick check on common bulbs is see what works with hazards and brake.

Be sure to post back what you find when you fix it, even if "simple"

[steven1213]

Thanks for the help. Good explanation on the circuit for the turn signal. I will replace the bulbs this weekend and let you know if it turned out something as simple as a bulb out. I did not realize that would effect the circuit like that. The turn signal switch looks like a bear to take out. I tried at the pull and save wrecking yard and was unable to get wiring out since there is that connector that goes from the lower end of the steering column to under the dash. I could not feed that connector through the steering column. Does one have to take apart the steering column to get it out or am I missing something? I still need to fix the back up lights as well. I might as well be thorough.----Thanks, Steve

[Chevy_Finatic79]

you need to have the steering wheel pulled and the lock plate as well. then there is three screws that hold the turn signal cancel cam/switch you need to remove. next pull the "switch" out thru the top and the wires and the connector you saw will follow, but you might just have to finaggle the connector end thru the little hole.
this cannot be done from the bottm of the steering column
you need 2 special tools for this job. a sterring wheel puller and or a lock plate "compressor"
this is what the swich looks like pulled

[steven1213]

I replaced all the bad exterior lights for the truck and the turn signals work fine with the lights off with the exception of the right indicator light in the dash not working. When I turn the lights on however they blink slowly and hesitate to work at first. If I turn the brights on it gets worse. Its better than it was. Thanks for the help.

[crabtruck]

Sounds like you're running with low voltage. Check battery voltage no lights, lo beams, hi beams. 12.8v min. May have loose alt belt or failing alt.