Wiring for Turn Signals
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:23 pm
- Location: Utah, USA
Wiring for Turn Signals
I inherited an older (and neglected) 79 528i. I took the dash apart to try and fix some things and when I went to put it back on everything works great except for the turn signals. They worked fine before but when I push the turn signal either way I don't get the green flashing light from the instrument cluster so I feel like it's something wrong with the wiring. Is there any possible way someone could post a picture or describe how the wiring should be plugged into the back of the instrument cluster (specifically the turn signals)? Thank you all
Your turn signal issue is likely with the hazard switch.
Yay! There is an FAQ on repair but as of yet, I've been 100% unsuccessful with rebuilding these and I've been trying for about 15 years starting with E21s. They never end up sitting perfectly centered so there's always something making contact that shouldn't.
I really believe these switches work backwards. They shouldn't have any tension on them unless you're using them. It seriously would have to make M1 ownership just horrible.
Yay! There is an FAQ on repair but as of yet, I've been 100% unsuccessful with rebuilding these and I've been trying for about 15 years starting with E21s. They never end up sitting perfectly centered so there's always something making contact that shouldn't.
I really believe these switches work backwards. They shouldn't have any tension on them unless you're using them. It seriously would have to make M1 ownership just horrible.
I have had this aggravating issue more than once. The turn signals work, but the dash light won't flash. The culprit is the bulb doesn't sit correctly in the awful plastic wiring harness that distributes power around the dash items. The bulb (make sure it's good) is in a plastic holder that clips into the dash opening and wipes the wiring harness while it's sitting in there for power. At least the easy part is you can access this bulb fixture by just removing the lower cowl panel and fiddling with it until it works.
AMHIK
I agree with the comment about the hazard switch, it is another over-engineered mechanical device that yes, is designed backwards. They get old from the spring pressure constantly wanting to deform the innards until it doesn't work, works incorrectly, or fails flashing at the most inappropriate times with no way of turning it off until removal. And yes, fixing is a test of patience.
AMHIK
I agree with the comment about the hazard switch, it is another over-engineered mechanical device that yes, is designed backwards. They get old from the spring pressure constantly wanting to deform the innards until it doesn't work, works incorrectly, or fails flashing at the most inappropriate times with no way of turning it off until removal. And yes, fixing is a test of patience.
HTH
'80 528i
'80 528i
If the signals work but the light in the dash doesnt, it's your flasher relay, not your hazard switch.
I have repaired dozens of hazard switched. I would say that 9 out of 10 fixes are successful. Most fail when they won't stay in. The switch itself is quite simple. The little rod that does he "holding" gets fatigued and needs to be bent back in. The hardest part is separating the two halves. The rest is cake.
The flasher relay can also be fixed. It's a contact that needs to be cleaned.
I have repaired dozens of hazard switched. I would say that 9 out of 10 fixes are successful. Most fail when they won't stay in. The switch itself is quite simple. The little rod that does he "holding" gets fatigued and needs to be bent back in. The hardest part is separating the two halves. The rest is cake.
The flasher relay can also be fixed. It's a contact that needs to be cleaned.
Pierre in Camarillo
76 530i (3.3), 69 2002 (M20), 74 tii, 75 2002, 79 323i, 84 733i, 84 323i (S52), 91 318is, 96 318ti (S52), 97 Z3, 01 540i, 02 330i, 02 1150RTP.
OO==00==OO
76 530i (3.3), 69 2002 (M20), 74 tii, 75 2002, 79 323i, 84 733i, 84 323i (S52), 91 318is, 96 318ti (S52), 97 Z3, 01 540i, 02 330i, 02 1150RTP.
OO==00==OO
- Falkenberg
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 6:46 am
- Location: In Europe, far, far away.
The bulb in mine flashes only once. Lights outside are ok. I am under the impression that the bulb in the dash would work if all contacts to the lights outside were perfect.
1961 Simson AWO sport (Brasoveanca)
1968 BMW 114 2002
1976 BMW E12 528 (Malèna)
1987 Kawasaki GPz900r
1996 Moto Guzzi V75 PA NT
1968 BMW 114 2002
1976 BMW E12 528 (Malèna)
1987 Kawasaki GPz900r
1996 Moto Guzzi V75 PA NT
I've seen that happen with a tired flasher relay.Falkenberg wrote:The bulb in mine flashes only once. Lights outside are ok. I am under the impression that the bulb in the dash would work if all contacts to the lights outside were perfect.
Mike W.
1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 6:23 pm
- Location: Utah, USA
Hey all thanks for the replies. I ended up pushing the hazard switch in and then try the turn signals. They work now and the light in the cluster illuminates but it seems to be intermittent as opposes to following a steady sequence. Could this be the relay going bad or what? I'm already loving these forums! Pictures of the bimmer to come
Hi crispycreme;
Of course I chuckled a coupla times about you finally pushing the hazard switch in, which we all feel was BMW doofawgulty!
Glad you found the problem.
I forgot to say, 'Welcome'!
Of course I chuckled a coupla times about you finally pushing the hazard switch in, which we all feel was BMW doofawgulty!
Glad you found the problem.
I forgot to say, 'Welcome'!
Last edited by GripGreg on Wed Aug 12, 2015 12:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Rosallina/'80 528i
Buster/'82 635Euro
Hit the apex in Long Beach
Buster/'82 635Euro
Hit the apex in Long Beach
- Falkenberg
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 6:46 am
- Location: In Europe, far, far away.
And only now I realized that it is opposite to most other cars.GripGreg wrote:we all feel was BMW doofawgulty!
At least the turn signal switch is on the left on the E12. I had some people start the wipers on the 2002.
1961 Simson AWO sport (Brasoveanca)
1968 BMW 114 2002
1976 BMW E12 528 (Malèna)
1987 Kawasaki GPz900r
1996 Moto Guzzi V75 PA NT
1968 BMW 114 2002
1976 BMW E12 528 (Malèna)
1987 Kawasaki GPz900r
1996 Moto Guzzi V75 PA NT
- Falkenberg
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 6:46 am
- Location: In Europe, far, far away.
Good info, thanks. Will it stay like this or will it die on me? If prior, I can live with it.Mike W. wrote:I've seen that happen with a tired flasher relay.Falkenberg wrote:The bulb in mine flashes only once. Lights outside are ok. I am under the impression that the bulb in the dash would work if all contacts to the lights outside were perfect.
1961 Simson AWO sport (Brasoveanca)
1968 BMW 114 2002
1976 BMW E12 528 (Malèna)
1987 Kawasaki GPz900r
1996 Moto Guzzi V75 PA NT
1968 BMW 114 2002
1976 BMW E12 528 (Malèna)
1987 Kawasaki GPz900r
1996 Moto Guzzi V75 PA NT
No worries, they seem to stay like that and not fail completely. I'm not sure what causes them to act like that, I even replaced some of the transistors one time and it acted the same, one flash on the dash but the actual signals worked fine.Falkenberg wrote:Good info, thanks. Will it stay like this or will it die on me? If prior, I can live with it.Mike W. wrote:I've seen that happen with a tired flasher relay.Falkenberg wrote:The bulb in mine flashes only once. Lights outside are ok. I am under the impression that the bulb in the dash would work if all contacts to the lights outside were perfect.
Mike W.
1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
Re: Wiring for Turn Signals
Surely.eatcrispycreme2 wrote: Is there any possible way someone could post a picture or describe how the wiring should be plugged into the back of the instrument cluster (specifically the turn signals)? Thank you all
The pic does not show the actual dash cluster that both of the items shown snap into. But note the electrical 'ears' on the bulb holder that contact the sorry wiring harness when fitted into the dash cluster opening for the turn signal bulb (as is the same for the rest of the cluster warning/indicator bulbs).
Plug all that into the dash cluster opening, making sure the bulb holder ears are contacting the copper wiring harness tabs, operate the turn signal, and wiggle the bulb holder - behold its flakiness.
Good luck with the rest of them!
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HTH
'80 528i
'80 528i