So, could someone explain to me how the Hazard works? Specifically how the switch itself lights up.. I know there are two connections in the back of the hazard flasher, the larger, multi-cluster plug, and the bulb holder with one wire connected to it. What powers that little bulb to go on? Meaning is that wire (blk) that connects to the bulb holder, a ground? Or is it power?...

If it's a ground, that must mean the circuit is broken when it's off, right? And when you flip the hazards on, it connects the path, grounding it, and lighting it up? I know it's a simple device, but I just need a bit of clarification for my interest.

What powers the little bulb is the same thing that powers all of the other hazard lamps, interior and exterior.

You push the green rocker. This closes two switches. The one switch gets battery voltage via the fuse panel. This now goes to the flasher relay which operates the relay and powers the hazard lights.

So in the relay there's yet another switch which is opening and closing. And when this switch is closed the path from there is to the turn signal switch, which is open, so on back to the hazard rocker where it's other, previously mentioned switch is closed which sends power to the switch lamp and the other lamps via the right and left sides of the open turn signal switch.

The lamps all have their own path to ground, hence the black wire.

It'll make sense if you look at the individual wiring diagram for the turn signal/hazard light system.


--
'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

So it should have its own ground? The bulb should not be grounded to any other bulbs? Can i add a ground to that bulb if its not there for some reason? Its just not lighting up, and I think its currently on the grounds that the other dash bulbs connect to that are controlled by the rheostat.
--
'89 245 B230F M47

Have it's own ground? Depends on how you mean. It is grounded separately from the exterior bulbs.

But it shares a ground point with a lot of other items. Without looking, I think it grounds just to the front and left of the shifter. There is a single wire there that grounds numerous items in the dash.

The rheostat should not be a factor.

You could ground that bulb just by itself.

But are you sure it isn't the bulb itself that is the problem? Or the switch? Or the connection of the existing ground wire at the switch?

--
'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

Well, I've tried a few different hazard switches. Also the bulb seems to be ok. I can dbl check of course, but I remember not being too sure about the ground. I feel like I have the 3 dash lights (which there's a blk 4 ground wire) I thought made sense to connect it to that. Unless I leave that ground off, then there would be 3 grounded with 1 free... I thought it made sense to connect that to the flasher bulb, but now I'm not so sure.

Disconnect the bulb ground wire at the other end and put it to a good ground.

--
'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon