Irregular Turn Signal Behavior

[Terps]

About 3 months into ownership the left turn signal on the car started acting up. The left turn signal will shut off early during a turn or even pulling in to a turn lane, the right turn signal has never once done this. The dealership I bought the car at told me that I need to read the user's guide to learn how they work :banghead: . I took it to another dealership near where I work today to see if they had any better insight along with having them look at a few other issues and I was told that all new fords behave that way, it doesn't matter what one I get in to you can turn the wheel a 32nd of an inch and it will turn it off... The biggest problem beyond pure annoyance is the safety factor in the turn signal shutting off early when I'm not on a road with a turn lane and I have a hard time believing that this is working as intended. So does everybody else have this issue like I am being told since it is normal operation?

 

What is the best way to contact Ford directly with an issue like this because I don't have the time to go dealer searching to find one that cares as the next closest dealer is 40+ miles away outside of these two.

[hybridbear]

Take a video of how you're moving the wheel and the turn signal turning off. This will clearly show everyone what your issue is. It will also help the dealer figure things out.

[GrySql]

Get our Ford Rep Ashley involved, maybe your Dealers need a nudge.

[srogers]

I have the same issue with my car but I've never taken it in to have it corrected.

 

About 3 months into ownership the left turn signal on the car started acting up. The left turn signal will shut off early during a turn or even pulling in to a turn lane, the right turn signal has never once done this. The dealership I bought the car at told me that I need to read the user's guide to learn how they work :banghead: . I took it to another dealership near where I work today to see if they had any better insight along with having them look at a few other issues and I was told that all new fords behave that way, it doesn't matter what one I get in to you can turn the wheel a 32nd of an inch and it will turn it off... The biggest problem beyond pure annoyance is the safety factor in the turn signal shutting off early when I'm not on a road with a turn lane and I have a hard time believing that this is working as intended. So does everybody else have this issue like I am being told since it is normal operation?

 

What is the best way to contact Ford directly with an issue like this because I don't have the time to go dealer searching to find one that cares as the next closest dealer is 40+ miles away outside of these two.

[FordService]

About 3 months into ownership the left turn signal on the car started acting up. The left turn signal will shut off early during a turn or even pulling in to a turn lane, the right turn signal has never once done this. ...

 

What is the best way to contact Ford directly with an issue like this because I don't have the time to go dealer searching to find one that cares as the next closest dealer is 40+ miles away outside of these two.

 

Terps,

 

Let me lend you a hand. PM me your name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealer info. I'll see how I can help.

 

Ashley

[maroonhoo]

Any progress on this yet? I'm having the same problem on my 2013 FUsion HyTi. My premature signal cancelation occurs only intermittently, and in the past, I've had pretty significant problems getting my local dealership to take these types of problems on my 2010 FFH seriously.

[Terps]

 

Terps,

 

Let me lend you a hand. PM me your name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealer info. I'll see how I can help.

 

Ashley

PM Sent, sorry for the delay it's been a busy couple of weeks. Thanks again for your help.

 

I will update the others in here if we can get this resolved.

[FordService]

PM Sent, sorry for the delay it's been a busy couple of weeks. Thanks again for your help.

 

I will update the others in here if we can get this resolved.

 

I got it and responded, Terps. You're welcome!

 

Ashley

[Terps]

Just a quick update here. Dealership could not replicate the problem yet again. I honestly wish they would let a tech drive around town with me at this point so I can point it out. I think they are just turning the signal on in the shop and seeing if it will shut off. Anyway, they replaced the switch that controls the turn signal and it did not fix the problem. I will be taking it in again for another oil change and trying to see if they have any other ideas to look in to.

 

Also to update, the right side turn signal does the same thing, just not near as often as the left.

[hybridbear]

It could be how it's designed. If you post a video showing how you're moving the wheel when the turn signal turns off then we'll be able to help as a community. Until you do that there isn't much we can do to help unfortunately.

[Terps]

 

Here's a video of it. Turn signal is on as I'm coming to a stop, wheel turns less than 1/4 of the way to the left and shuts off as it is still turning to the left, not upon returning to a neutral position. Make sure to have the volume up so you can hear when it stops since the wheel blocks the signal light.

[murphy]

Are you certain that you didn't bump the turn signal stalk with your fingers? Moving the stalk in either direction will cancel the signal.

[Terps]

Are you certain that you didn't bump the turn signal stalk with your fingers? Moving the stalk in either direction will cancel the signal.

Positive, you can't see in the video but I start the turn with my left hand flat on the face of the wheel so all fingers are on my side of the wheel, grasping as it comes around the side. Also you can see that when it shuts off my hand location is well below the turn signal stalk. It is definitely not a dumb driver issue, not trying to come off as offensive but Ford has repeatedly told me that it is at this point and they changed the switch just to try and satisfy me.

[Easy Rider]

I don't see any clues in the video but I have to ask..........

 

Under what circumstances would having the signal cancel a few seconds early like that REALLY create a problem.

I mean, honestly, why is it a big deal to you ??

 

I'm all for holding their feet to the fire on things that really matter but I just can't see this "anomaly" being an actual problem.

 

I have not noticed it with mine.....yet.....but I doubt that I would even notice.

 

Maybe I'm missing something ??

Edited May 4, 2014 by Easy Rider

[Terps]

I don't see any clues in the video but I have to ask..........

 

Under what circumstances would having the signal cancel a few seconds early like that REALLY create a problem.

I mean, honestly, why is it a big deal to you ??

 

I'm all for holding their feet to the fire on things that really matter but I just can't see this "anomaly" being an actual problem.

 

I have not noticed it with mine.....yet.....but I doubt that I would even notice.

 

Maybe I'm missing something ??

It isn't working as it should. It's a safety hazard when it happens entering a turn lane or on a two lane road causing oncoming traffic to not realize my intent to turn. And I'm sure a bored cop would ticket me for failure to signal to be honest. Plenty of reason to want Ford to figure it out and fix it.

[Easy Rider]

dupe deleted

Edited May 6, 2014 by Easy Rider

[Easy Rider]

OK, well your demonstration didn't quite match those examples that you gave; you were turning the wheel quite far then.

 

Does it really do that when only turning the wheel slightly too.....like changing lanes to enter a turn lane ??

My car does that too.......many do, if you have to turn the wheel BACK to straighten out after the lane change.

 

As for stopping part way through a turn........that is a BAD habit to get into, safety wise.

You should NOT start a turn until there is near a 100% chance that you will be able to finish it.

If you stop with the wheels turned or the car pointed sideways and someone hits you from behind, it will shoot you into the opposing traffic.

 

Keep us posted, please, but my impression is that the condition you are having a problem with is probably not "fixable".

 

I do agree, however, that a test drive with someone from service in the car with you would definitely be required.......and am amazed that they changed

any parts without doing that first. Also a test drive in another similar car might be useful too.

[hybridbear]

Here's a video of it. Turn signal is on as I'm coming to a stop, wheel turns less than 1/4 of the way to the left and shuts off as it is still turning to the left, not upon returning to a neutral position. Make sure to have the volume up so you can hear when it stops since the wheel blocks the signal light.

Positive, you can't see in the video but I start the turn with my left hand flat on the face of the wheel so all fingers are on my side of the wheel, grasping as it comes around the side. Also you can see that when it shuts off my hand location is well below the turn signal stalk. It is definitely not a dumb driver issue, not trying to come off as offensive but Ford has repeatedly told me that it is at this point and they changed the switch just to try and satisfy me.

I believe that we experience the same thing. I noticed that in the video you had the left signal on and the wheel slightly turned to the left. As you were stopping you turned the wheel back to the right to straighten it. I believe that this is what causes the turn signal to then shut off soon after you begin turning the wheel left again. I most commonly experience this behavior when I have to weave around pot holes in the road so I turn the wheel slightly left and slightly right and then fully left to turn (you can swap left & right and the same thing happens). We also often experience it in the parking lot at our apartment when we are making a wide sweeping turn to go to the garage underground. Every vehicle I have driven has operated the turn signals like this. If you turn one way a little and then straighten out and then turn again the signal tends to turn off earlier than expected. I think this is just how the car is designed.

 

Thanks for the video! It makes a huge difference in understanding what you're experiencing.

Edited May 4, 2014 by hybridbear

[Terps]

OK, well your demonstration didn't quite match those examples that you gave; you were turning the wheel quite far then.

 

Does it really do that when only turning the wheel slightly too.....like changing lanes to enter a turn lane ??

My car does that too.......many do, if you have to turn the wheel BACK to straighten out after the lane change.

 

As for stopping part way through a turn........that is a BAD habit to get into, safety wise.

You should NOT start a turn until there is near a 100% chance that you will be able to finish it.

If you stop with the wheels turned or the car pointed sideways and someone hits you from behind, it will shoot you into the opposing traffic.

 

Keep us posted, please, but my impression is that the condition you are having a problem with is probably not "fixable".

 

I do agree, however, that a test drive with someone from service in the car with you would definitely be required.......and am amazed that they changed

any parts without doing that first. Also a test drive in another similar car might be useful too.

I am confused as to where you think that I am stopping part way through a turn? I never stated that that was where this problem is occurring. Also, activating a turn signal and merging into a turn lane should not be enough to turn off a turn signal. To think that you would have to activate the turn signal twice to turn is absurd.

 

I believe that we experience the same thing. I noticed that in the video you had the left signal on and the wheel slightly turned to the left. As you were stopping you turned the wheel back to the right to straighten it. I believe that this is what causes the turn signal to then shut off soon after you begin turning the wheel left again. I most commonly experience this behavior when I have to weave around pot holes in the road so I turn the wheel slightly left and slightly right and then fully left to turn (you can swap left & right and the same thing happens). We also often experience it in the parking lot at our apartment when we are making a wide sweeping turn to go to the garage underground. Every vehicle I have driven has operated the turn signals like this. If you turn one way a little and then straighten out and then turn again the signal tends to turn off earlier than expected. I think this is just how the car is designed.

 

Thanks for the video! It makes a huge difference in understanding what you're experiencing.

I guess I have never had this experience with another vehicle and between work and family cars I've driven close to 30 different vehicles at this point and none have acted this way. I understand if I turn the wheel about 1/4 way and then back that it might trigger the shut off point but this is absurd if turning it that slight can shut it off. It isn't the best demonstration in the video but after coming to a complete stop with the wheel straight,the signal is still active, it turns off while the wheel is going to the left and not coming back to the right. That turn is after a slight curve but I can reproduce it on a straight road as well. The only difference between this car and every other car I have driven is the signal stalk that doesn't stay in the position it is pressed. I'm guessing it has to do with whatever mechanism or sensor is in place that lets the car know that a turn has been made as there is no mechanical switch in place like the older style signal stalks have.

[hybridbear]

I am confused as to where you think that I am stopping part way through a turn? I never stated that that was where this problem is occurring. Also, activating a turn signal and merging into a turn lane should not be enough to turn off a turn signal. To think that you would have to activate the turn signal twice to turn is absurd.

 

I guess I have never had this experience with another vehicle and between work and family cars I've driven close to 30 different vehicles at this point and none have acted this way. I understand if I turn the wheel about 1/4 way and then back that it might trigger the shut off point but this is absurd if turning it that slight can shut it off. It isn't the best demonstration in the video but after coming to a complete stop with the wheel straight,the signal is still active, it turns off while the wheel is going to the left and not coming back to the right. That turn is after a slight curve but I can reproduce it on a straight road as well. The only difference between this car and every other car I have driven is the signal stalk that doesn't stay in the position it is pressed. I'm guessing it has to do with whatever mechanism or sensor is in place that lets the car know that a turn has been made as there is no mechanical switch in place like the older style signal stalks have.

I think that the back & forth on the wheel, while slight, is enough to cause the turn signal to turn off. It's just how it's designed.

[Terps]

I think that the back & forth on the wheel, while slight, is enough to cause the turn signal to turn off. It's just how it's designed.

I still am inclined to believe otherwise as it happens on two lane roads when I'm not merging over in to a turn lane or I can be stopped in a turn lane with the wheel straight and it will just shut off. If their sensor is that sensitive then they have a design flaw on their hands because most old style turn signals will activate the cam that resets them at about 1/8th of a turn of the wheel. I don't see how they could get away with a design that causes you to have to activate the turn signal once you merge over in to the turn lane, then again after you start the turn. Just doesn't make sense.

[Easy Rider]

To think that you would have to activate the turn signal twice to turn is absurd.

 

OK, I see where this is going: You aren't going to accept any answer except the one that you WANT to hear.

 

Ford is not going to "fix" something just because one individual doesn't like the way it works.

 

It's pretty obvious from the responses in this thread that nobody else has a problem with the way it works.......if they have even noticed that it is different than the old mechanical mechanisms.

 

Changing lanes and THEN turning are two separate actions.

I think it is perfectly fine to cancel the signal after the lane change is completed, and certainly don't think it is "absurd".

 

I pity the service department that you are dealing with.

[Waldo]

Easy, Easy Rider, your 2014 doesn't have the same turn signal design, so you're not really talking about the same thing here. The fact that it's different in the 2014s is because so many people complained to Ford that they changed back to the "old" system. However, I've driven plenty of different Ford's with the "no stick" signal stalks and none of them do what Terps is describing, so I think it's a legitimate problem.

 

I wonder if the turn signal uses the steering wheel angle sensor for position info and something is out of calibration. That might explain why it's inconsistent left to right.

Edited May 5, 2014 by Waldo

[corncobs]

I agree with Waldo the designs are different and he might be on to something with the calibration.

 

On my morning commute I have one left turn onto the freeway ramp that I would see very similar to Terps video. I can turn on my left turn signal make the lane shift and straighten my wheels back out without the signal turning off.

It can be a pretty short turn lane when are cars are already waiting because there are curbs marking the beginning of the lane. Sometimes I need to get out of the way before being rear ended by the thru traffic so the steering wheel movement can be very "extensive".

[maroonhoo]

Delete

Edited May 5, 2014 by maroonhoo