an all new blinker problem
an all new blinker problem I went through past threads and couldn't find my answer--maybe because everyone has LS1s.
My right blinker doesn't work, it stays stuck on. I replaced all bulbs in the taillight and nothing changed. I have NOT changed the right front turn signal bulb, but I have turned on hazards and it blinks just like it should. I know where the blinker relay is, right by your knee by the steering wheel...but that can't really be the problem if the left side works perfectly fine. So what's my problem--hazards work fine, left side works fine, but right blinkers (front and taillight) don't blink. It almost sounds like there's something bad electrical on the steering column... Thanks!
edit: let me add that when I removed the taillight to replace all the bulbs, it was half filled with water, two bulbs had shattered. I drained it of water, did some sealing, and put new bulbs in. They all light up, so I'm assuming the water didn't do too much harm.
My right blinker doesn't work, it stays stuck on. I replaced all bulbs in the taillight and nothing changed. I have NOT changed the right front turn signal bulb, but I have turned on hazards and it blinks just like it should. I know where the blinker relay is, right by your knee by the steering wheel...but that can't really be the problem if the left side works perfectly fine. So what's my problem--hazards work fine, left side works fine, but right blinkers (front and taillight) don't blink. It almost sounds like there's something bad electrical on the steering column... Thanks!
edit: let me add that when I removed the taillight to replace all the bulbs, it was half filled with water, two bulbs had shattered. I drained it of water, did some sealing, and put new bulbs in. They all light up, so I'm assuming the water didn't do too much harm.
Last edited by contraststriker; May 20, 2006 at 07:15 PM.
I took a close look at the difference between taillights, right and left. When the blinker is stuck on for the passenger side, only one of the two filaments in the bulb lights up, as opposed to the driver's side where both filaments light and blink.
Last edited by contraststriker; May 20, 2006 at 08:18 PM.
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From: Brighton, MI
You confused me a little... let me explain;
Each bulb has 2 filaments. One is for the lights, and the other is for the brake/turn.
When you hit the brakes or turn on the turn signals only one filament per bulb is used.
So, you aren't actually seeing both filaments light up on the driver's side. You just said that because the driver's side looks brighter?
If the pass side is lit but dim, then I would check for a bad ground.
If I'm wrong... somebody stop me!
Each bulb has 2 filaments. One is for the lights, and the other is for the brake/turn.
When you hit the brakes or turn on the turn signals only one filament per bulb is used.
So, you aren't actually seeing both filaments light up on the driver's side. You just said that because the driver's side looks brighter?
If the pass side is lit but dim, then I would check for a bad ground.
If I'm wrong... somebody stop me!
I'm pretty positive TWO filaments were lighting up on the driver's side with the blinker on...I should mention that I think my fog lights were on as well--so in that case you'd need two lit filaments to be brighter than just the one filament in the taillight bulbs for when headlights are turned on.
It sounds to me like it's a problem with the tail lamp or corner lamp sockets. Take a really good look at the plugs. If the contacts are corroded or broken it will do what you are describing. Also alot of times rain water on copper contacts will corrode them like nobodies business. Pull the light again and look at the contacts. If you see green corrosion in there just replace it don't try to clean it. That is an acid reaction and it's only a matter of time before it does it again. You can pickup replacement ends at just about any parts store for less than $20 I think. I doubt it is the multipurpose switch on the column (IE turn signal lever) because all it does is just connect eithor the ground or hot from the particular side turn signals to the flasher.
so is it possible for light bulbs to work but the socket still be bad? I guess only one of the two filaments in any passenger side bulb lights at a time...never both like the driver's side does. The sockets in the taillamp are terrible, front signal looks brand new.
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Originally Posted by kossuth
It sounds to me like it's a problem with the tail lamp or corner lamp sockets. Take a really good look at the plugs. If the contacts are corroded or broken it will do what you are describing. Also alot of times rain water on copper contacts will corrode them like nobodies business. Pull the light again and look at the contacts. If you see green corrosion in there just replace it don't try to clean it. That is an acid reaction and it's only a matter of time before it does it again. You can pickup replacement ends at just about any parts store for less than $20 I think. I doubt it is the multipurpose switch on the column (IE turn signal lever) because all it does is just connect eithor the ground or hot from the particular side turn signals to the flasher.
Same thing happened to me. My tail lights filled up with water. I replaced them with the newer style lights. A couple years later, the one side blinker wouldn't work right with new bulbs in. With the blinker on, only one filament was lighting up. But I found that if I wiggled the bulb around in the socket, I could get the second filament to flash. I cleaned it up as best as I could and put it back together. Then the problem came back after a week or two. Then I took it apart and played with it some more. It turned out that the socket needed some force to one side. So I stuck a real small screw between the plastic and the metal socket to keep constant force in the direction I needed. Its been fine ever since (about 2 months). Eventually, my stubborn but will go out and actually buy a new set of sockets.
I suggest:
Turn your blinder on with the lights on. Take the bulb you are having trouble with and wiggle it around in the socket and see if you can get it to flash. If not, try the same thing with a different bulb in there to make sure its not the bulb. If that doesn't point you anywhere, then you may have a wiring harness problem where you'll need the whole harness with all the sockets.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
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Originally Posted by contraststriker
so is it possible for light bulbs to work but the socket still be bad? I guess only one of the two filaments in any passenger side bulb lights at a time...never both like the driver's side does. The sockets in the taillamp are terrible, front signal looks brand new.
. I'd give it a try but it is possible but unlikely that we are wrong. Let us know man. 