need help with turn signals
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
need help with turn signals Hey guys I just bought a 2000 ss a few days ago. I'm new to these cars but I have been working on cars ever since I can remember my dad owned a auto shop. Any way I have a very strange problem I keep blowing the fuse to my turn signals, the funny thing is if I just have the key on the turn signals will work fine and it doesn't blow the fuse however as soon as I start the car it blows the fuse. I would highly doubt that there is any kind of voltage regulator in the circuit but it seems that a couple extra volts while running makes the fuse blow. I am baffled I would think that if it is a short it wouldn't matter weather or not the car is running. I also replaced the flasher hoping that it may help. I would love if any of you have any ideas or suggestions where to look or what to test. Thanks
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
After further inspection I noticed that the driver side harness has been replaced and they used a different socket the bulb is a 3057 on the driver side and a 2057 on the passenger side I looked up the amps to see if one draws more juice than the other and they seem to be the exact same other than the 3057 is a slot and you just push it In and the 2057 is a cylinder shape that you press and turn I doubt that makes a difference. I thought it may be useful info though. I guess I'm going to have to resort to chasing wires if I can't diagnose the problem any other way. 
I really don't like chasing wires!
I really don't like chasing wires! Before you get too involved, try the following with the car off:
- Try your turn signals and brakes at the same time.
- Try your turn signals and parking lights at the same time.
- Try your turn signals and headlights at the same time.
- Try your turn signals and high beams at the same time.
Do any of those cause your fuse to blow?
- Try your turn signals and brakes at the same time.
- Try your turn signals and parking lights at the same time.
- Try your turn signals and headlights at the same time.
- Try your turn signals and high beams at the same time.
Do any of those cause your fuse to blow?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advice I also tried with the headlights on and the turn signals then I put it in reverse and boom the fuse blew again so i have deduced that it must be my reverse switch. that beats having to chase a miles worth of wiring any day. I'm going to replace the reverse switch tomorrow and see if it fixes it I sure hope its not something else. Great advice thank you so much.
Yea, it would have to be a really wild short in the wiring for something related to the ignition to cause this. When we turn the car on, we do a lot of subconscious things, like moving through the gears.
You might try doing a search. I have a manual but faintly recall seeing something like this (reverse switch) before...
You might try doing a search. I have a manual but faintly recall seeing something like this (reverse switch) before...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I went and got a new reverse switch its for a m6 idk if they have a similar switch for the a4 but it was only $12 I figured that it was cheap enough to just replace. I could test it with a multi meter to check if its shorted or a open loop but why bother for $12. hopefully I get the time sat or sun to swap the part. I am anxious to find out but work doesn't permit me to do it. I hate how my job gets in the way of spending quality time with my baby and fixing her LOL
Ah.
In order to have a short between the reverse circuit and turn signals, they would need to cross somewhere. The only place I can think of where that happens is in the wiring harness going to the back of the car.
One easy thing you might also try is unplugging the rear lighting harness. That plug is just inside the rear wall of the car, behind the carpet that lines the rear compartment. If you put the car in reverse with it unplugged, that should help you isolate if the problem is inside the car or at the rear harness.
With your comments above, I'll bet Dr. Frankenstein owned the car before you and did some "work" on that rear harness...
In order to have a short between the reverse circuit and turn signals, they would need to cross somewhere. The only place I can think of where that happens is in the wiring harness going to the back of the car.
One easy thing you might also try is unplugging the rear lighting harness. That plug is just inside the rear wall of the car, behind the carpet that lines the rear compartment. If you put the car in reverse with it unplugged, that should help you isolate if the problem is inside the car or at the rear harness.
With your comments above, I'll bet Dr. Frankenstein owned the car before you and did some "work" on that rear harness...
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
