Article No. 01-21-3 (ELECTRICAL - LAMP - INTERMITTENT RAPID FLASHING OF THE TURN SIGNALS)
 
Publication Date: OCTOBER 12, 2001  

FORD:  1998-2002 CROWN VICTORIA  
MERCURY:  1998-2002 GRAND MARQUIS  

ISSUE:
Some vehicles may exhibit an intermittent rapid flashing of the turn signals. This may be caused by bulb outage, circuit ground or circuit integrity.

ACTION:
Ensure the turn signal fast flash is not due to bulb outage then verify good continuity at all ground screws. If condition is not resolved, rewire the turn signal circuit. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

• For 2001 and later vehicles, the turn signal circuit is isolated on new fuse #12 in the instrument panel fuse panel.
• For 2000 and prior vehicles, the turn signal circuit is moved to fuse #15 in the instrument panel fuse panel.
  

1. Ensure ignition key is in off position. 
2. Remove plastic knee bolster beneath driver's side of instrument panel.
3. Remove five screws securing steel bolster at base of steering column.
4. Remove two screws securing cross-brace. 
5. Remove left hand plastic kick panel. 
6. Remove two screws securing fuse panel w/ bracket. 
7. Remove fuse panel cover.
8. Remove christmas tree locator off bracket. 
9. Cut tape on top of convolute on the left side of the steering column.
10. Locate circuit 298 Violet/Orange wire from inside of convolute. 
11. Cut circuit 298 Violet/Orange wire 4" from bottom of steering column shroud.
12. Shrink wrap bottom portion of wire and tuck back into harness bundle.
13. Rotate fuse panel down to expose rear fuse panel. 
14. Cut a 600mm (24") length of 16 gauge insulated wire to use as a jumper wire.
    
15. 2001 MY and later wire repair:
    1. Splice pigtail with terminal F2DB-14474-CA (from wiring repair kit #3, see TSB 01-10-12 for ordering information) to one end of the jumper wire using procedure in TSB 01-10-12 (if in doubt, compare terminal on pigtail to terminals on other wires at fuse panel).
    2. Raise red fuse key to the same height as fuse to allow for terminal installation.
    3. Insert terminal of jumper wire into #12 fuse slot until it clicks.
    4. Pull lightly to ensure secure fit.
16. 2000 MY and prior wire repair:
    1. Locate circuit 88 Black/White wire located in fuse cavity #15.
    2. Splice jumper wire to fuse 15 wire using procedure in TSB 01-10-12.
17. Keep new wire outside of convolute.
18. Starting at fuse panel, spot tape new wire to convolute in four or five places (leave enough wire at column end to splice in to existing circuit).
19. Cut jumper wire to length at column.
20. Splice jumper wire to column wire using procedure in TSB 01-10-12.
21. Spot tap crimp to harness, making sure that new wire is not exposed to any sharp edges.
22. Insert new 15A fuse in #12 slot.
23. Test turn signals.
24. Replace fuse panel cover.
25. Re-assemble vehicle in reverse order of disassembly.
26. Torque I.P. fuse bracket to 4.8 ± 0.8 N-m (42 ± 7 lb-in.).
27. Torque I.P. shipping brake 9 ± 1.4 N-m (80 ± 12 lb-in.).
28. Torque screws on steering column reinforcement to 4.8 ± 0.8 N-m (42 ± 7 lb-in.).
29. Torque park brake release to 4.35 ± 0.85 N-m (38 ± 7 lb-in.).
30. Torque knee bolster trim screws to 2.5 ± 0.4 N-m (22 ± 4 lb-in.).

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:

01-10-12

WARRANTY STATUS:

Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION  DESCRIPTION  TIME  

Operation	Description	Time
012103A	Rewire Turn Signal Circuit Following Service Procedure	0.9 Hr.

DEALER CODING

Basic Part Number	Condition Code
14401	12

OASIS CODES:

201000, 201200, 203000, 203200