I have a 1995 Protege, recently it started to loose electrical power when the turn signal is used. The engine stays running, but all the lights, dashboard, radio, head lights & tail lights go out. It doesn't happen every time, but it seems to be getting worse. We had the car in the shop and they can't find what is wrong with it. They suggested a new battery, but that doesn't sound right because the car starts up good and runs fine. Would anyone have a idea what could cause this or have experience with this sort of thing?

 

Make sure all your ground connections are good (shot in the dark with high probability and zero cost). Then take it to a parts store for a battery test. They do that for free. Ask them if they can test the alternator as well. A bad alternator can do what you describe.

If both the battery and the alternator check out fine then you have a problem in the turn signal circuit. It is bad enough to drop the voltage but not bad enough to burn out the fuse. Check all connection in the turn signal circuit. Look up "voltage drop test" on Google.

 

Ok will check that stuff out thanks for the reply.

 

the turn signals don't draw that much - or it's not supposed to, i'd wonder if there's a wire chaffing through to the frame. Otherwise a bad alternator, or wiring on it could be to blame like "tanprotoge" suggested.
I think there are fusable links in the wiring too, usually right in / on the fuse block in the engine bay. Older cars can have these corrode to the point where you get electrical issues before they burn out, which could result in what you're seeing.

 

I replace the battery a week ago and it's been ok, but if it starts happening again. I will check the alternator and the fuse box.

 

Does the car crank over faster with the new battery? Its possible that a cell in the battery shorted out, which would put additional load on the alternator, and adding the flashers as a load could have been just too much for it causing the lights to dim. A bad cell could also explain why it would happen sometimes and not all the time... though it should have been cranking over slower if it was a battery issue.
In any case, good to hear it's working well again.