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Odd issue 2021 Explorer

OFC Ranger

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I have never run across this in any vehicle and cruising Google I'm not having luck. Was curious if it is something simple I can check as I really have no interest in going from a roomy SUV to a shit-box Taurus tuna can for patrol at work while my baby goes into the shop (which is no where near the station) for something so miniscule.

I will use the most repeatable scenario I have tested and can duplicate over and over. To enter the parking lot of my work you make a right turn off the main road. The entry way is somewhat elevated from the road so it goes over a moderate curb/hump. Most mundane thing you can imagine, but what happens is if I go from my steering wheel locked to the right, then immediately then start to straighten the wheel to the left as I enter the parking lot my right blinker clicks over to left blinker.

It happens on sharp right turns only, but does not happen if the road is level, and only if there is a moderate "hump" in the equation. Stupid right? Yea it is. At first I thought my hand was somehow hitting the turn signal stalk, but I long ago ruled that out when I tested it.

What in the world is happening?

@P. A. Schilke
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D Fresh

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Weird! It would be much more understandable if was simply disengaging the blinker. But right to left is odd.


Have you tried holding the stalk up through that corner/bump?

People look at me funny when I work on my milktruck. But I'll be dammed if I hand it over willingly to the mental giants that do 2 day brake jobs.
 

LaBalbe

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Could your wiring be a little exposed, and that "hump" is jarring two bits of exposed wiring together such that they short each other & switch the blinker? Might explain why it's not happening on level roads; the wires aren't getting bumped together. Note that I don't have a whole lot of experience with wiring or electrical systems, so this is just a WAG.
 

Wytchdctr

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Could your wiring be a little exposed, and that "hump" is jarring two bits of exposed wiring together such that they short each other & switch the blinker? Might explain why it's not happening on level roads; the wires aren't getting bumped together. Note that I don't have a whole lot of experience with wiring or electrical systems, so this is just a WAG.
Gonna have to agree; some sort of weird ass wiring issue going on. I have never taken a modern form column apart to throw more WAGing into the mix.

If it wasn't for the bump needed to cause it I would lean toward a control module. My big Kia was just reprogrammed to not switch the blinker for no damn reason. No bump needed for that on the Kia. Mine never actually did it but in the TSB it showed it would at least indicate on the dash that it was blinking stupid.
 

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does the stalk actually move, or is it just the blinker activating?

I would think with all the police gadgetry, they likely have done something illicit to the inner workings.
 


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OFC Ranger

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does the stalk actually move, or is it just the blinker activating?

I would think with all the police gadgetry, they likely have done something illicit to the inner workings.
Stalk physically moves. If I hold it the problem doesn't happen.

I suspect a damaged switch over component or spring of some sort.
 

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I don't know, but I bought a 1986 Ford Tempo new and after driving less than a few hundred miles, found out when I touched the brakes my windshield wipers would turn on! I think they had to replace some kind of module.
 

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I'm wondering if the mechanism, that cancels your turn signal when you complete your turn is out of adjustment, or broken.
Is it easy to take off the steering column cover and look in there?
My fat ass would struggle. I have trouble just cleaning the dust off my cluster.
 

P. A. Schilke

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I have never run across this in any vehicle and cruising Google I'm not having luck. Was curious if it is something simple I can check as I really have no interest in going from a roomy SUV to a shit-box Taurus tuna can for patrol at work while my baby goes into the shop (which is no where near the station) for something so miniscule.

I will use the most repeatable scenario I have tested and can duplicate over and over. To enter the parking lot of my work you make a right turn off the main road. The entry way is somewhat elevated from the road so it goes over a moderate curb/hump. Most mundane thing you can imagine, but what happens is if I go from my steering wheel locked to the right, then immediately then start to straighten the wheel to the left as I enter the parking lot my right blinker clicks over to left blinker.

It happens on sharp right turns only, but does not happen if the road is level, and only if there is a moderate "hump" in the equation. Stupid right? Yea it is. At first I thought my hand was somehow hitting the turn signal stalk, but I long ago ruled that out when I tested it.

What in the world is happening?

@P. A. Schilke
Hi Jack,

Well...if in Pima county, LEO do not use turn signals....?

However, the click indicates something is mal adjusted or loose. I would recommend pulling the steering wheel and looking at the turn signal switch and see if any screws are loose. Fully assembled steering column comes from the component plant with the t/s switch and wiring PIA
Meaning that the defect most likely occurred at component plant...

I do not think it is a wiring issue because of the mechanical "click".

Good Luck!
Phil
 

Trigganometry

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My older fords when I had them the blinker stalk would do stuff like that. They’re replaceable and easy to swap out.
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