Hey, New to the group as I just acquired my first cougar. it is a 1968 302-4barrel c4 auto.
diving into the car I noticed the turn signals do not work. Where is the best place to start?
Welcome and congratulations on your collar.
There are two inline fuses feeding the turn signal switch, one provides power for the emergency flashers and the other provides power to the turn signal itself. Only one of the two power inputs is activated at one time.
Is your battery and charging system up to snuff? Always always ALWAYS test the turn signals with the engine running and alternator output is sufficient (My cougar charges at 14.3 Volts)
Do the taillights work when the headlamps are on? Taillights and rear turn signal lights share the same grounds.
Do the brake lights work and do the emergency flashers work? There is an inline fuse that feeds the brake lights and the turn signal switch (when the flashers are activated). This circuit is directly powered from the starter relay.
Is the junk in the trunk OEM or solid state? If it is OEM, do you hear the Sequential motor turning when testing the turn signal switch?
If you do not hear the Sequential motor running when testing the turn signal switch, check the other inline fuse between the Accessory post on the ignition switch to the turn signal switch.
Although my writeup is specific for a 1967 Cougar, it also pertains to a 1968 system although some of the pin designations are different.
Let me know if you have any additional questions
Good Luck
Coach Jack
Hey, thanks when the weather gets better I will try and test all these things. I do know the headlights and taillights work when pushed to on.
Wolfekolton,
I sure hope you meant that the headlights and taillights work when PULLED to on. If however indeed your car has a push to on headlamp switch, then your electrical wiring has been (for lack of a betterer technical term) “mucked” with.
Coach Jack
Yes. Factory headlight switch. Taillight and headlight comes on.
Any specific part to try first now that the headlights and taillights work?
I would start with the fuses.
Hey, Tailights don’t actually work on the cougar. Brake lights do. If you click on the emergency flashers the indicators come on the dash but nothing is blinking. Best place to start now that I have a better idea?
Below is a link to my pdf file that describes how to test the turn signal switch specifically for a 68.
68 turn signal switch testing.pdf (176.9 KB)
Coach Jack
I believe I need to replace the flasher can under the dash for the same issue. It clicks once or twice and stops but I have signals (have to hold up for right turn as it doesn’t stay engaged - I have the replacement for that) Problem is I’ve looked for it… tried to follow the click but still can’t track it down.
Just to be absolutely clear here, 67 and 68 Cougars do NOT have flasher cans!! The flashing of the taillights and the dash indicator lights are controlled by the sequential motor in the trunk!
Coach Jack
I meant the K5 relay.
But I still need to figure out why I don’t have interior lights.
Hey, where do the Tailights ground at?
The taillights ground wires attach to the self tapping screw on the trunk latch bracket that surrounds the fuel filler neck (NOT the fuel filler neck itself!!!). If you have recently had your car painted, you need to sand/ground off the paint, put a star washer on the screw and either anti seize or dielectric grease then fasten down the ground wire.
Coach Jack
Just to clarify for those following along,
For 67 Cougar, the K5 Turn Signal Indicator Relay, K6 Emergency Warning Relay and the K7 Turn Signal Relay all work in conjunction to select left, right or both dash indicator lights
For a 68 Cougar, there is no K5 and no K6 relay and soley uses the K7 Turn signal indicator relay.
Note the “Turn signal indicator relay” on a 67 is the K5 and on a 68 is a K7. To further muddle the water, the K7 between a 67 and 68 ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. The 67 provides high side switching whereas the 68 provides low side switching!!
Now back to Cougars-R-Grr8 issue with his dash lights flashing only a few times then stop. In a different thread he mentioned that his inner lights do not work which could be contributing to his problem. K7 requires 4 lights illuminated (3 taillights and the front turn signal light) to produce enough current and subsequent magnetic pull of K7 internal coil, to open the ground circuit powering the dash lights. (This of course assumes your Cougar is using stock components including incandescent 1157 bulbs)
Yes you can replace yours with the solid state K7 which uses an internal timer to cause the dash lights to flash.
Coach Jack
Ok, recently dove into car. Cleaned the ground for the lights and Tailights and everything of that nature starting working. Blinkers still do not. They don’t indicate on dash and nothing happens in the back at the motor when trying to use them. If you hit emergency flasher the rear motor is buzzing fairly loud and the indicator comes on for the dash but still no blinks. Any better idea now that I’ve checked things and found a better solution?
Likely the turn signal switch in the steering column is burned up. Very typical issue.