Turn signal question

[Joe Flanagan]

Today I was checking out the wiring to the rear directionals and i discovered that the right rear doesn't work. I decided to check the wire coming from the turn signal with a volt meter and I get a steady six volts, no intermittent voltage like I should if the flasher is working. I think the fact that the bulb doesn't light might be a grounding issue. I do have the socket indexed correctly to the two wires. But I think it's strange that I'd get steady voltage in a wire that should be flashing. I checked the left rear, which does work, and I get intermittent voltage, like I should. Does this sound like a problem at the turn signal unit itself? I checked the wire when it was separated from the socket, by the way, in case that makes a difference. 

[Dave72dt]

It's probably functioning correctly.  Used to be an indicator that a bulb was burned out if it didn't flash.  Flasher depends on resistance to open and close.  One bulb working or none on that side means the flasher won't develop enough heat  and then it doesn't flash.

[greg g]

check the bulb, check the ground,, assure the contacts are aligned with the correct elements.

[Joe Flanagan]

OK, thanks. I'll do those things.

[Tom Skinner]

It's usually the ground 9 times out of 10

[Joe Flanagan]

That's something I'm really getting to appreciate. 

[Joe Flanagan]

And that's what it was. A bad ground. I cleaned and tightened the connection and the directional now works. 

[Don Coatney]

Star washers play a big role in making good ground connections.