Smoking turn signal in a '95 Tracker

[Ceeb]

I'm typing this on behalf of my parents.

Now, first of all, the turn signal has been harmlessly clicking for about the past six months. It does it randomly, but it just clicks. If you turn the signal on, it still functions normally.

Now, today, while they were driving, they turned on the signal to the left, and turned left. When they straightened back out, the signal snapped back into place and shut off, but the indicator light on the dashboard continued to flash dimly, and consistently, as if it were still running.

And shortly after that, the combination switch (which my father discovered later, after removing the plastic covering from the wheel) began to smoke.

What do you guys think it could be? Is it the relay, or the actual turn signal switch? And is this a common problem, or something unique?

[shackwrrr]

sounds like the combo switch had dirty/bent/corroded contacts thus the buzzing (arcing) well the arcing(not good acually very harmful) made the contacts weld themselves together thus the dim signal when the stalk is centered. the dim=resistance and when you get resistance and voltage together they make heat thus your smoke

[Ceeb]

Originally Posted by shackwrrr

sounds like the combo switch had dirty/bent/corroded contacts thus the buzzing (arcing) well the arcing(not good acually very harmful) made the contacts weld themselves together thus the dim signal when the stalk is centered. the dim=resistance and when you get resistance and voltage together they make heat thus your smoke

So you're saying the switch is bad?

What would you recommend here, then, replacing it, fixing it...? Money is tight, so the most cost-effective solution would be appreciated.

[onestoptakeaway]

Originally Posted by Ceeb

So you're saying the switch is bad?

What would you recommend here, then, replacing it, fixing it...? Money is tight, so the most cost-effective solution would be appreciated.

It happened to me a while ago and I bought a 2nd hand piece from a scapeyard.

If you don't want to fix it, you can pull out the hazard fuse and press down the hazard light switch on the steering wheel. That should stop the buzzing but you have to switch off the hazard light switch whenever you need to use the signal. Quite cumblesome but I did that until I found a 2nd hand piece to replace.

[shackwrrr]

if your good with putting stuff together that you took apart you could take it all apart and get some electrical contact cleaner and clean it all up and take some fine emery cloth to the wipers and cotacts in there

[jtgh]

your signal harness is grounding out.

the smoking is the contacts buring to a crisp and melting the plastic.

old trailer wiring , hack job behind left rear tail light lens , 2 screws , pull unit and look.

is tail, turn and brake fuses the correct size and not over size.
upping the amps on fuses , to stop it from popping, then burns up a $200 combo switch.

answer. overload.

[Ceeb]

Well, my dad took it apart and found a singed part in the switch. He cleaned everything up, I presume he patched the wires, and he put it back in.

Success! No smoke!

So thanks for all your help, guys, and I'm sure I'll be back sooner or later.

[wolfwood]

it looks like a corroded wire or switch or a grounded one.. since your father said he saw the smoke coming out i think its not hard to find where it is...