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How to: Notchy Turn Signal Lever FIX

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Thanks for this. Thought I was the only one with a gritty blinker. Actually mines only bad when I push down. Pushing up is fairly smooth.
 



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Nice try on the springs Pete165, oh well!

As for what is wrong, I think the ridges on the receptor piece are too well defined. The edges should be more gradual and not stepped like they are. BTW, the entire assembly is only ~$70, so worst case scenario, if you screw it up, it's a pretty minimal investment to get another one. But when you get it right, it'll put a smile on your face when you use the blinker. Smiled the whole way to work this morning, haha :D
 






Nice try on the springs Pete165, oh well!

As for what is wrong, I think the ridges on the receptor piece are too well defined. The edges should be more gradual and not stepped like they are. BTW, the entire assembly is only ~$70, so worst case scenario, if you screw it up, it's a pretty minimal investment to get another one. But when you get it right, it'll put a smile on your face when you use the blinker. Smiled the whole way to work this morning, haha :D
That sort of makes it seem that you drove all the way with your blinker on. ;):D
Glad you got it working for you.:thumbsup:

Peter
 






That sort of makes it seem that you drove all the way with your blinker on. ;):D
Glad you got it working for you.:thumbsup:

Peter

Yeah, it took forever to get to work, since I kept making turns just to use the blinkers!! :D
 






weird mine is completely smooth, I actually wish it had a little more click to it
 






I have a 2013 and I can't stand the lever. I'm going to give this a shot one day
 






Thanks for the detailed writeup.

Thankfully, this has never been a problem on my '11.
 






Yeah, I've got a 2013 XLT and this has driven me nuts since the first test drive.

This will be getting fixed this weekend with a Dremel... :)

Thanks for the info!
 












Yes...I had mine replaced under warranty and it is buttery smooth now!
 






So I took mine in today along with a few other things, and I just got off the phone with them and the shop supervisor says "there's no problem with it" which doesn't surprise me.

So when I get back over there I'll get them to grab some keys and we'll start comparing it to some others on the lot. I saw a 2011 Limited there earlier so I'll check that one for sure, and I'll get them to check a few others. Hopefully we can find a few that aren't like mine.
 






So I took mine in today along with a few other things, and I just got off the phone with them and the shop supervisor says "there's no problem with it" which doesn't surprise me.

So when I get back over there I'll get them to grab some keys and we'll start comparing it to some others on the lot. I saw a 2011 Limited there earlier so I'll check that one for sure, and I'll get them to check a few others. Hopefully we can find a few that aren't like mine.
Guaranteed the 2011 won't be like yours. ;):thumbsup:

Peter
 






So I had one of the other service guys come out, and I explained the issue I had with mine, to which he explained "Yes, if you want to lane change push it light, to lock it up push it all the way".

After a long sigh, I explained I knew how it worked - but I was concerned with how hard and offensively snapping it was to engage it fully.

I mentioned I heard it was an issue with the 2013 and 2011/12 were mostly fine to which he said "I think the signals were different in the previous years - so they wouldn't be the same - let's try another 2013". Now I didn't think they were different, but whatever.

So he goes and grabs some keys, goes out to the lot and comes back... "How did you make out?" I asked...

"I'll order you a new one..." :)

He said it was noticeably different from the other one he tried, now I didn't get a chance to feel it myself, but I'm guessing it must have been quite a bit smoother.

So now I'm waiting on 3 parts! Hitch cover (mine keeps popping off), Signal light switch, and fuel delivery system recall.

Oh well, at least it's getting replaced now!
 






Forgot to update this!

So they put a new turn signal module in under warranty and it's SMOOTH LIKE BUTTAH!

I'm just trying to get used to it now, I put the full signal on once in awhile now instead of the 3 flash lane change, but only because before I had to reef on it to get it to actually signal.

So if anyone else is suffering through this, go see your dealer.
 






I would like to thank Pete165 for this post on repairing the turn lever. My dealer would not replace the turn switch and noted that it was "normal behavior for this vehicle".

I took the switch out last night and slowly worked down the ridges with a dremel tool and smoothed down the tip of the needle.

Turn signal works very smooth now.

Thanks for pioneering this fix Pete165!!!
 






"Notchy" turn signals

I just traded my 2011 Explorer for a 2013 Explorer. The 2011 turn signal operated very smoothely but the 2013 has the same symptoms as described in this post. In the two weeks I've owned the 2013, I've high beamed at least four vehicles trying to activate the turn signal. Quite annoying. It is a different module also since the 2011 activated high beam by pulling the lever toward the driver rather than pushing it away as in the 2013 (activating low beam onthe 2011 was also a pull toward the driver).
 






I just traded my 2011 Explorer for a 2013 Explorer. The 2011 turn signal operated very smoothely but the 2013 has the same symptoms as described in this post. In the two weeks I've owned the 2013, I've high beamed at least four vehicles trying to activate the turn signal. Quite annoying. It is a different module also since the 2011 activated high beam by pulling the lever toward the driver rather than pushing it away as in the 2013 (activating low beam onthe 2011 was also a pull toward the driver).

Hi RossRagan,

Have you brought this up at your dealership so they can take a look? Shoot me a PM with your info (full name, daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, preferred servicing dealership) and I'll alert your regional customer service manager to this as well.

Crystal
 






My car is like this too (2013) - its a real design flaw (and totally stupid if it was OK before in the earlier models) - the resistance to push down or up to select continuous turn signal is so high that its much easier for the lever to pop into either flash mode (daytime) or continual highbeam (nightime). It should not be this way - nor should it even be close to this bad...

I'm actually annoyed that Ford isn't recalling these for a fix - its not right - they screwed up and it IS a safety issue in my book.

It should also do more than 3 flashes in the temporary mode - 3 is a stupid short time, not enough time to complete a lane change properly let alone enough time to signal your intent first (which is after all the whole idea of the signal...).

Are these designers complete morons...? or do they just not drive cars?

Make it 5 flashes at least!

(FORD - FIX THIS ONE IN AN UPDATE - ITS NOT REALLY SAFE TO USE LIKE THIS !!!)

I actually like the car quite a lot but this is a horrible design as is.

I actually think the electronic only latching and cancel in same direction is a smart choice, takes some getting used to - but I'm convinced it is a superior system, you will never activate the opposite direction turn signal when cancelling (due to auto cancel @ the same time)... to me that's a plus.

So I will make this adjustment change too (but shouldn't have to!).

Alan
 






It should also do more than 3 flashes in the temporary mode - 3 is a stupid short time, not enough time to complete a lane change properly let alone enough time to signal your intent first (which is after all the whole idea of the signal...).

Are these designers complete morons...? or do they just not drive cars?

Make it 5 flashes at least!



So I will make this adjustment change too (but shouldn't have to!).

Alan

Every car I've owned with this feature has been 3 flashes, unless it's in tow mode which is 5, regardless of manufacturer.

The sticking issue can be fixed by your dealer under warranty.
 



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My car is like this too (2013) - its a real design flaw (and totally stupid if it was OK before in the earlier models) - the resistance to push down or up to select continuous turn signal is so high that its much easier for the lever to pop into either flash mode (daytime) or continual highbeam (nightime). It should not be this way - nor should it even be close to this bad...

I'm actually annoyed that Ford isn't recalling these for a fix - its not right - they screwed up and it IS a safety issue in my book.

It should also do more than 3 flashes in the temporary mode - 3 is a stupid short time, not enough time to complete a lane change properly let alone enough time to signal your intent first (which is after all the whole idea of the signal...).

Are these designers complete morons...? or do they just not drive cars?

Make it 5 flashes at least!

(FORD - FIX THIS ONE IN AN UPDATE - ITS NOT REALLY SAFE TO USE LIKE THIS !!!)

I actually like the car quite a lot but this is a horrible design as is.

I actually think the electronic only latching and cancel in same direction is a smart choice, takes some getting used to - but I'm convinced it is a superior system, you will never activate the opposite direction turn signal when cancelling (due to auto cancel @ the same time)... to me that's a plus.

So I will make this adjustment change too (but shouldn't have to!).

Alan
Many of us have stated that 3 flashes is too short and that 5 would be more appropriate. As for the 'sticky' lever, some dealers have refused to fix it while others were not aware of it but did order new parts under warranty.
As I've stated before, the way the turn signals operate is my least favourite feature. I've found myself on more that one occasion unintentionally cancelling the signal by hitting it a second time. Also I have turned on the signal and driven a short distance with it flashing when all I wanted to do was cancel the original signal that did not turn off because the turn was not close to 90 degrees and the steering wheel therefore did not cancel it.
I definitely am not a fan of the signal lever returning to the rest or neutral position unless I or the steering wheel set it there.

Peter
 






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