Also most schematics don't show the stop light relay, they show the wire leaving the stop switch and go directly into the turn signal relay. Finding a break in a wire can be tough, but should be done instead of just going around it with a new wire, the old one may still cause a short. All the wiring for the rear of the car starts under the console and continues under the rear seat. I like using a test light instead of a digital volt meter because they actually draw a little current, where the meter doesn't. Jumper wires are used to either go around a bad part for testing, or bridging a connector that has to be unplugged for access. An example would be where a brake light switch is bad, a jumper wire can be used to connect the two switch wires so the rest of the system can be tested. Another example is where a stop light relay is bad. By unplugging the relay and using a jumper wire from the key hot to the green output wire, the system can be tested and parts can be ordered all at once.
The basic parts of the sequential system are
? 1) turn signal switch in the column
? 2) turn signal indicator relay mounted to the column support
? 3) turn signal relay under the package tray in the trunk
? 4) flasher or sequencer unit mounted with turn signal relay
? 5) stop light relay also mounted with sequencer and turn relay
Please note the names of the two different relays, and their location, don't let yourself get confused.. Also #'s 3,4and 5 are in an insulated 'bag' wrapped in tape and held in by 2 bolts.
A process of elimination is the best way to find the problem with the system, unless you know right where to check, start from the beginning, it's faster. (This is what you find after you unwrap the insulation)
After working on several of these systems what can't be stressed enough is to check the fuses and breakers for current before diving in. If those test OK check for key on or ACC power at one wire of the stop switch on the brake pedal, the orange/yellow wire at the turn signal switch connector, the brown/white wire at the sequencer, and the brown/white wire at the stop light relay. If these aren't hot with the key on, find the problem and repair it before going further.
The turn relay
The turn relay has two molded plugs, one with eight wires and one with six wires. It's actually 2 relays or coils, in one enclosure. It's basic purpose is to control current flow for the stop lights and the turn lights. The relay has 17 terminals, but not all have wires. Some are connected to jumpers for the internal points. In its normal position, all 6 rear lights are connected together with the stop light input wire #13 green. If a left turn is selected by the Turn signal switch, current is directed to the #7 white wire, or if a right turn is selected current flows through the #8 violet wire. When a turn is selected the turn signal relay disconnects the brake light point from the selected side (right or left) and instead makes a connection with the wires from the sequencer by way of the magnetic coils inside.
The sequencer or flasher
this flasher needs to be lubed, it's very noisy. when the power is removed from the brown wire the cam stops. putting power on the brown/white parks the cam to the beginning position. (double click to play video)
The sequencer is a motor/gearbox that drives a 4 lobed cam at fairly slow speed. The cam closes a series of 3 points that direct current from the turn indicator relay into the turn relay where it gets directed left or right. The fourth point is used to park the sequencer when the turn is cancelled but the sequence hasn't been completed. The point closest to the gearbox is the parking point.
The stop light relay is just that, a relay to allow the small contacts in the brake switch to control enough current to supply 6 stop lamps. The relay connector is different in shape from 65 to 66 but does the same job. When the brake pedal is pushed the stop switch sends current to the stop relay, and the contacts close. This allows power from the circuit breaker in the fuse box to flow through the relay and into the turn signal relay where it makes it's way to any stop lights that are connected through the points.
The turn signal indicator relay
every time the points open the indicator light on the fender blinks. (double click to play video)
The turn signal indicator relay
is bolted to the left side of the steering column support, next to the seat belt relay. Current enters from one wire but flows out of two wires on separate paths. One is through a set of points that connect power from the turn signal switch to the indicator lamps on the fender(s). The other is through a winding in the relay, then to the sequencer to power all 4 turn lamps. When all 4 turn lamps are lit (3 rear and 1 front), there is enough current flow to pull the moveable arm and open the points, making the indicator lamp blink. Soon after, the sequencer turns off all lamps, the relay point close again and the cycle starts all over. Low voltage or a burned out lamp will keep the relay from opening the points, and the indicator lamp won't blink.
The 3 most common problems seem to be
1) no stop lights on one or both sides
2) no turn lights on one or both sides
3) turn indicator lamp stays on (won't blink)
Testing the stop light circuit. with a 12 volt test light and the key on ACC test the fuses and breakers, then test for current at one wire at the stop light switch. With the pedal pushed the test light should show current on both wires. Go into the trunk, find a good ground for the test light. there is a screw that is used for several ground wires, use it. The stop light relay should have Key power at the brown/white wire. If not you need to track down the break, if it's hot check for power on the red wire (from the brake switch with the pedal pushed), if not find the break. With current from the breaker and from the switch, the relay should close causing current to flow out of the green wire.'65 relays are internally grounded, '66 have a ground wire. If all else is good but no current is at the green wire, the relay is bad. Modern Bosch type relays can be substituted for this use, and will be hidden in the bag so no one will know. If all is well there should be current at the #13 green wire of the turn relay, if not find the break. With no turn selected there should be current on wires #1thru 6 of the turn relay, these wire supply the 6 rear stop lamps. If not the problem is in the turn relay. It's possible to open the relay and clean the points, but if the coils are bad a replacement relay is needed. There are aftermarket solid state units available that eliminate the old mechanical parts. If the test light shows dim for a particular wire, trace it's bulb and remove it, they can break a filament and short out. Also test both sides while selecting a turn, if the selected side doesn't 'sequence' the relay point may be stuck, but is probably a fault with the turn signal switch in the column not selecting the turn. Which takes us to....
Testing the turn lights. A few things have to happen for the turn lights to 'sequence' properly, so let's follow the flow. With the key on current comes from the breaker to the orange/yellow wire of the turn signal switch. When a turn is selected the current is directed into four paths, one goes to the turn indicator relay, the second is coming back from it, the third is the white or violet wire that selects right or left at the turn relay, and the fourth #456 brown turns on the sequencer motor to spin the cam. The first path is as follows, from the turn signal switch wire # 458 orange/black to the indicator relay, through it's winding, then out on wire #459 orange/green to the sequencer points board where current is directed by the points when closed by the rotating cam (they are normally open). From the sequencer current enters the turn relay where it's directed by way of the points or contacts that are pulled together by the left or right coil inside. The second path is the same current that was supplied to the indicator relay, is branched off internally through a set of points (normally closed) and back to the turn signal switch where it's directed to the right or left indicator lamp on the fender(s). The third path is either the white(left) or violet (right) wires that control the turn relay. All turn light current flows through the center of the turn signal switch. If the turn lights don't work first test for current leaving the turn signal switch on #458 orange/black, if OK test for current leaving the indicator relay on wire #459 orange/green. If OK test for current to spin the motor of the sequencer on wire #456 brown, if OK but motor doesn't spin confirm a good motor ground, if OK motor is bad. With the sequencer turning, current will flow through the points as they are closed in order, yellow=inner, yellow/red=center, yellow/black=outer. this applies for left or right, the turn relay being energized makes the direction change. At the same time the turn signal switch should be sending current to the white(left) or violet(right) wires to energize the respective side of the relay. If no current is present on the white or violet wires, the turn signal switch is bad or a wire is broken from the turn signal switch. If current is present to energize the relay, and current is coming through the 3 sequencer wires, there should be current at the turn relay wires as follows,
Right
pin 3 orange/blue--- right inside
pin 4 orange/white---right center
pin 6 orange/red---right outside
pin 17 white/blue---right front
Left
pin 2 green/orange---left inside
pin 1 green/red---left center
pin 5 green/black---left outside
pin 9 green/white---left front
If a lamp is dim on both sides, say the inside lights for example, this indicates a dirty point in the sequencer. I avoid sand paper to clean the points, a cheap metal finger nail file works well and won't ruin the point. The front turn lights are internally connected in the turn relay to the center-rear light. These can all be checked at the turn relay with a test light. The sequencer also has a brown/white wire that is key hot, it's purpose is to supply current to park the sequencer motor if the turn is cancelled in the middle of the sequence. If the turn lights don't complete the sequence and stop immediately when the turn signal switch is centered, check for current on the #457 brown/white wire. If OK check the point closest to the motor in the sequencer.
Testing the indicator lights The indicator lights are a common problem for two reasons, they don't light at all or they won't blink. The flow is as follows...from the turn signal switch through the points of the turn indicator relay, back into the turn signal switch and directed to the proper lamp on the fender. Using a test light, the wires can be found under the hood and unplugged for probing. If current is found, the light should be opened up by unscrewing the ring that holds in the lens, then checking the bulb. These are single wire lights meaning they are grounded by the light base to the fender. Corrosion is a common problem in the socket as well as with grounding. For lamps that light but won't blink, the first thing to check is that all 4 turn lamps are lit (3 rear and 1 front). The indicator relay uses the current from all 4 lamps to open the points and momentarily blink the light. Dirty connections at the breaker, or a low engine idle can stop the lights from blinking. The relay can be opened and the point arm 'adjusted' a little to help blink the lights easier. Some owners just wire the indicator light in with the front turn light and call it good.
I hope this helps you fix your sequential turns, I've also included colored schematics that are supposed to make a 12 by 20 inch diagram when put together. here are the links.
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