Low beams/turn signals

[funisforhaving]

Hi r3v. This is my first post after lurking for a few weeks. I recently bought an '87 325e, and it has some funky wiring issues. My front left turn signal doesn't come on as a running light when my headlights are on. The front right works just fine though. All my signals work when I put the hazards on, but the left side (front and rear) blinks twice as fast (or at least considerably faster) as the right side when I turn them on from the stalk to signal. I do not have corner markers in the front or rear bumpers, and I'm missing one license plate bulb but I know that the carrier is getting 12V.
Oh, and my check panel (the diagnostic thing in the ceiling) says I have a brake light out but they both definitely work, with the headlights on and off.

I have a multimeter but I'm a total electronics noob. From searching the forums I found that there is often times a ground issue with the front left turn signal, but I don't know how to check to see if it's grounded properly.

Secondly, my low beams do not work. I haven't even attempted to diagnose this issue. Both sealed beams work great when the high beams are engaged, but nothing at all when I switch them off. Also I was getting power to the fogs, but recently that quit working completely. The little green indicator light in the cluster doesn't even come on anymore. Not much of an issue since my fog lights got smashed when we trailer'd it home (car is lowered, didn't have a long enough ramp :b) but I would like to have everything functional.

Lastly, YES I did use the search function but I am really confused and need some guidance on how exactly to test for ground issues with my multimeter. Sorry in advance if this is in the wrong place, but it didn't seem like it would fit in the car audio/electronics section. Oh, and I do NOT have a Bently manual. It's in the mail, but I need to fix these wiring issues to get the car road legal and registered.

Thanks for any help/replies!

[djmossm42]

Start with a simple checks of the following and work your way down the list:

1. Make sure all bulbs are functioning (low beams will burn out before highs) and all connections are secure including the tail light covers.

2. Visualy check lighting related fuses replace bad ones. I dont know the slot #s off hand.

3. Check switches

4. Check if the the relays are getting power (should be around 12vdc. You should be able to hear them but electrically testing them will tell you if they are getting enough.

Hope this helps

Bryon

Sent from my SGH-T769

[NoM54me]

Clean your turn signal housings and connectors. The connectors get corroded easily, and will, almost 100%of the time, cause what you described. Check panel will throw the "brake light" indicator even if the bulbs are good, has to do with resistance. Get the correct bulbs at the stealership, or live with the check panel. As for your low beams...they may just be burned out, even if high beams still work. Put new ones in if fuses and relays are ok. They're only $7-8 each.

[jlevie]

As to the turn signals, if they work properly via the hazard light switch, but not from the turn signal switch, the switch is bad and needs to be replaced.

If neither low beam comes one, the fuse could blown, the low beam relay could be bad, ot the bulbs could be burned out.