Alright guys, while I get the feeling this is one of those gotta-see-it-to-diagnose-it problems, I'm hoping maybe somebody's seen this issue before...

When I lock the turn signal into a left turn and let it click back by itself like normal, the headlights go out. I can get them back on by flicking the turn signal up to right turn position, or if I wait the headlights will come back on their own after a bit (assuming I have the luxury of not needing the lights for a few blocks). Also, the headlights flash right at the clicking spot as I lock the turn signal into a right turn.

Lemme tell ya, signalling a fake right turn after every left turn isn't exactly a safe driving practice.

In case it might be related, the right rear license plate light is getting no juice - I've taken a bulb that is lit up in the left license plate socket and it won't work in the right - must be a wiring issue, I guess.

122k mi. on my '91 Protegé LX, maybe it's just age. At any rate, I have 0 experience with cars so digging through the Chilton's wiring diagrams has me totally confused even though I'd like to try to learn to tinker.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

Have an auto electrical tech check out the turn signal cam in the column. Sounds like it's going bad.

 

Yeah, I suppose I'm gonna have to. Being a poor college student I didn't wanna pay someone to look at it for me, but I think I prefer headlights to a few bucks.

 

Have you recently changed any light bulbs?? Taillight or turnsignal bulbs?? If so, check and see if you installed the wrong bulb...(don't laugh-I used to see it all the time!!)
Also, the turnsignal stalk might be going bad.

 

Hmm, nope, haven't changed any light bulbs.

 

My next suspect would be the turn signal stalk.

 

One way we help each other out on the forums is by posting solutions, right? So even though it's been forever, here's how this thread concludes...

Bill and TooLoPro were right - the problem was in the column. Had the multi-function switch replaced for $150, and all is well. Apparently these go out a lot.

Hope that helps somebody.

 

nice.. welcome back