Topic: Turn Signals Malfunctioning
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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I had this problem last fall, and posted it, but now I can't find the thread.
Anyway, my turn signals weren't working right, so I did some checking and found that at least one bulb was burned out. So for the cost and time , I decided to replace all the turn signal / hazard bulbs. A total of 10 bulbs.
Now I still have a problem, as follows:
1. left signal on- all the lights (that is front and back, left and right) are flashing.
2. right signal on- again all the lights are flashing, except the left front side marker. That one is out.
3. with the headlights on, left signal on- all the lights are on, but none are flashing.
4. again with the headlights on, right signal on- all the lights are on except the L.F. S. marker. Again, that one is out. Again, none are flashing.
5. With just the parking lights on, all are lit except L.F.S. marker.
6. With the parking lights on, the turn signals behave the same as when the headlights are on.
7. When I turn on the 4-way hazard flasher, they all flash except the front side markers, L & R.
8. With either the parking lights or the headlights on, and the 4-way on, all the lights are on, except for both front side markers. But none are flashing.
9. And finally, with all power off, when I hit the brake pedal, the brake lights come on, the dash lights come on and the warning buzzer sounds. Until I take my foot off the brake pedal.
I checked under the dash for a loose connection, but didn't see anything.
So, do I replace the 4-way flasher, check the left front side marker for a bad ground or what.
HELP!!!!
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There is no loose connection, quite the opposite. One of the turn signal power leads and one of the parking lights power leads are shorting into each other causing the feedback you describe.
If you turn them on, and pull the bulbs out one at a time, you may find the problem will go away. If it does the problem is at the light you just pulled out.
Look for wiring to the sockets touching, or the socket itself shorting out between the two contacts.
THe front marker lights will straighten themselves out when the problem goes away. Normal operation of front side markers is as follows: 1. On with park lights on. 2. Blinking on and off with the turn signals with the parking lights off. 3. Blinking on and off oppositie the turn signal with the park lights on.
The rear turn signals and the brake lights are actually the same thing. A turn signal is a flashing brake. light. The way your lights are acting, I highly suspect the short to power is in the rear of the car. It is possible the problem is in the turn signal switch, but not likely.
Once the short is no longer there, the front markers will probably work okay again.
Thanks Ken.
dwright 2008-04-10 18:58:39
I'll check it out tomorrow.
BTW Ken, glad to have you back. Hope you can stay for a while.
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Definitely sounds like a short somewhere between two power wires....
You say the dash lights come on when you hit the brakes...do you mean the cluster illumination lamps, or the red "Brake" light, or the two green turn sig indicators?
Here's an afterthought, goin on something Ken mentioned...
Check your bulbs, and the sockets carefully...you may have one of the bulbs in 1/2 turn off, even tho there are "pins" at different spots on the bulb housings, so they will only fit one way...theoretically.
I've seen some bulbs that would go in either way due to the bulb socket being messed up, or worn, or even one of the pins on the bulb is damaged. If you do this, then the bulb itself will create a "short" in the circuit, basically back-feeding the circuit...it's a long shot, but it can, and has happened.
Adams' Apple 2008-04-10 19:32:26
You say the dash lights come on when you hit the brakes...do you mean the cluster illumination lamps, or the red "Brake" light, or the two green turn sig indicators?
Here's an afterthought, goin on something Ken mentioned...
Check your bulbs, and the sockets carefully...you may have one of the bulbs in 1/2 turn off, even tho there are "pins" at different spots on the bulb housings, so they will only fit one way...theoretically.
I've seen some bulbs that would go in either way due to the bulb socket being messed up, or worn, or even one of the pins on the bulb is damaged. If you do this, then the bulb itself will create a "short" in the circuit, basically back-feeding the circuit...it's a long shot, but it can, and has happened.
Joel Adams
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It is the cluster illumination lamps, not the brake light or turn signal lights.
I'll check the bulbs one at a time.
Thanks.
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Start with pulling out that left front marker light. I bet everything (except that light) will work normalfrom there.
Some where between the dash switch and that light wires are touching creating a backfeed.
Have you replaced or changed anything in the marker or dash area recently? This might be a point of interest. Although I still think it is the marker because it gets the most element abuse.
Some where between the dash switch and that light wires are touching creating a backfeed.
Have you replaced or changed anything in the marker or dash area recently? This might be a point of interest. Although I still think it is the marker because it gets the most element abuse.
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The cluster illumination lights coming on would indicate a short between the park lamps, and the brake lamps. The only way it could happen would be if the wiring was touching, the bulb(s) half a turn off, or the turn sig switch...
If you pull the bulbs out, and the problem still remains, then I'd think there is a wiring issue...
If you pull the bulbs out, and the problem still remains, then I'd think there is a wiring issue...Joel Adams
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I did relube my speedo cable in January, so I had stuff around the steering column moved, but the problem started last October.
I hope it is a socket.
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One other remote possibility is the turn signal switch. Pretty much all lights go through it. The other things suggested above seem more likely.
Larry
Larry
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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