Turn/Hazard lights don't work.

[Angel Martinez]

Just recently my turn signals along with hazard lights stopped working in my 96 Taurus. I checked all the fuses. I can't find a relay associated with that part of the electrical systems. Can anyone help me? Thanks.

[LarryKL]

The Multifunction Switch in the steering column controls:
- windshield wipers speed
- turn signals, front and rear, left and right
- headlights flash to pass
- hazard lights

Might be a good place to start....

[rmenyhart]

Strange, but I just got on this forum to report exactly the same problem on '96 Taurus. When I tried to turn on hazard lights on car the other day, they would not go on. From that point on, turn signals do not work either. All other lights, including brake, reverse, etc. are working.

Checked fuses and they are fine. I doubt it is multifunction switch, because windshield wipers are working fine at all intermediate speeds, and you say that would effect those as well?

Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

[nikaw]

My switch was bad and everything worked but my front right hazard light, so I guess everything doesn't have to not work

[Angel Martinez]

Hi Larry,

I knew that was a good place to start, I just didn't have the courage to stick my hands in there, but you gave me the courage I needed and I went ahead. Guess what? I wiggled all the wires and every light that didn't work, work now! I don't know how long this fix will last, but I know where to go next time. Thanks for the encouragement.

Originally Posted by LarryKL

The Multifunction Switch in the steering column controls:
- windshield wipers speed
- turn signals, front and rear, left and right
- headlights flash to pass
- hazard lights

Might be a good place to start....

[LarryKL]

Glad to help, tis the season and all that.
That is the purpose of these forums.

[aigle]

Originally Posted by LarryKL

Glad to help, tis the season and all that.
That is the purpose of these forums.

OK, I have the same problem with the 95 Taurus I just inherited from my mother-in-law: turn signals and hazard lights don't work. And to be honest, I just don't have time to take the steering column apart, go to junkyards, etc...Any suggestions on where to take it?

Dave

[alecto819]

I had the same problem when I was driving a 94 Taurus Wagon. Try pushing the hazard light button on the steering column. See if that fixes it. It does mean that your hazards don't work though if that fixes the problem, so you'll need to get that taken care of at some point. Hope this helps.

[Aloha24-7]

Problems solved in 95 Taurus! I experienced the Hazard/Signal problem this week. After reading through some of the solutions, I got mine to work. Here's how:
IF THE HAZARD BUTTON IS STIFF, PUMP THAT SUCKER MULTIPLE TIMES. IT'LL LOOSEN UP ALL THE DIRT AND STUFF IN THE STEERING COLUMN...

[yotermanic]

On Fords, whenever blinkers or hazards don't work, the multifunction switch is the place to start. If they're unplugged, pull more harness out from the dash so you have flexibility in the harness for tilt steering. If your hazards are inop, but get turned on, you won't have blinkers because you can't turn on blinkers and hazards at the same time. Usually, if the fuses are alright, I just install a multifunction switch and 99.99% of the time, that fixes it.

[jhmach1]

Originally Posted by Angel Martinez

Just recently my turn signals along with hazard lights stopped working in my 96 Taurus. I checked all the fuses. I can't find a relay associated with that part of the electrical systems. Can anyone help me? Thanks.

Everyone is correct...Turn/Hazard/headlamp switch is the culprit.

Just take the three phillips screws out of the plastic steering column cover (from bottom), unscrew the tilt wheel lever (so you can move the lower plastic housing down to gain access to the lower switch mounting screw)and carefully remove the upper half of the steering column cover over the shift lever. Then use a torx bit/driver to remove the two switch mounting screws.

Remove the two electrical connectors, and the switch will be in your hands. Then you can either spend $80.00 for a new one, or remove the screws from the switch housing while holding the housing together, and then carefully take it apart on a table with a rag under the switch.

Clean all old grease off the parts with some brake parts cleaner (sprayed onto a rag), and then use some fine grit sandpaper to clean all corrosion off the copper contacts. Then apply a small amount of grease to each copper contact & re-assemble the switch & install. Test lights before completely re-assembling the column.

Took me 20 minutes, and I saved $80.00! All lights work like new.

Hope this helps!

JHMACH1

[Angel Martinez]

Hi friend,

Don't you love this site? Thanks for the suggestion. I did take the cover off the steering wheel back in early December 04. I didn't clean the connections like you suggested, but I wiggled each wire individually, until the lights started to work. I have had no more problems to this day. Thank you.

Angel
(Jesus saved me. [email protected])

Originally Posted by jhmach1

Everyone is correct...Turn/Hazard/headlamp switch is the culprit.

Just take the three phillips screws out of the plastic steering column cover (from bottom), unscrew the tilt wheel lever (so you can move the lower plastic housing down to gain access to the lower switch mounting screw)and carefully remove the upper half of the steering column cover over the shift lever. Then use a torx bit/driver to remove the two switch mounting screws.

Remove the two electrical connectors, and the switch will be in your hands. Then you can either spend $80.00 for a new one, or remove the screws from the switch housing while holding the housing together, and then carefully take it apart on a table with a rag under the switch.

Clean all old grease off the parts with some brake parts cleaner (sprayed onto a rag), and then use some fine grit sandpaper to clean all corrosion off the copper contacts. Then apply a small amount of grease to each copper contact & re-assemble the switch & install. Test lights before completely re-assembling the column.

Took me 20 minutes, and I saved $80.00! All lights work like new.

Hope this helps!

JHMACH1