turn signal help please, for the electically in-experienced.. Options

[MrHyde]

Background:
The PO of my 73' 2.0L said that he never actually drove the car. He picked it up to restore and then got more involved with his MG's ( he has a sweet MGB with a mustang drivetrain in it , and a couple more under covers) .. anyways.. the turn signals dont work.. in the glove box i found an extra relay socket, and a 4 prong relay... hanging out under the fuse board is another of the same socket I found in the glove box.. I'm assuming that some PO wired this thing in to get the turn signals working.. the signal lights all come on when I turn the headlights on ( tail lights AND all the turn signals ) when fliping the turn signal switch, nothing happens.. no dash lights.. no flashing...

question...
I've never really needed to use a multimeter before, so i'm totally inexperienced with this.. I want to know how to find out if this socket is infact for the turn signals ( so I can just get a turn signal relay ) or find out where to check the wiring with the multimeter to see where the disconnect is happening..


Since My shoulder is out of commission right now, I cant do any heavy work at all, but testing a circut with a multimeter is doable. I've downloaded a couple wiring diagrams, but it all looks a bit greek to me right now...

Thanks in advance for the help !

[pcar916]

Before attacking relays do the natural thing and hit the basics.

1. Check fuses
2. Remove all of the lenses and bulbs and clean all contacts and sockets of rust and corrosion.
3. Look at the wiring and make sure there is no corrosion in the connectors.
4. Check and verify all grounds (brown wires bolted to the car body).
5. Are the battery connections corrosion-free?

If everything works you're done. If not, once you've done all of the above carefully, then you're ready to attack wiring, relays, and switches.

Red wires: 12v, always hot
Red wires w/white stripe: 12v when the ignition switch is on
Brown wires: ground

Get the Haynes manual and the factory manuals as well for your car and use them as a map.

Three major functions of your multimeter: Power (volts) resistance (Ohms) and continuity (ohms or a tone).

1. You'll check for power at wires supposed to be at positive voltage (12v in this car)
2. You'll check for continuity often. I.e. whether a wire is unboken from one place to another. One meter-lead on one end of the wire and the other lead on the other end of the wire. If you put the meter on "tone" mode, it'll beep if the wire is "continuous". In other words in one piece with no breaks. It's the same tone you'll hear if you touch the meter's probes to one another.

There are probably videos on YouTube or any number of other sites on how to use your meter. Practice makes perfect.

Good luck!