Does anyone know how to fix a turn signal?

[Chrissi Pooh]

The passenger side turn signal on my truck is not working. I tried changing the bulb but that was fine and the fuses were checked and they are fine.

All the parking lights work and hazards but when i turn the turn signal on it does not blink or even light up!!

Help, single mom who is NOT mechanically inclined!!!

Thanks!

 

[jvas]

is it jus 1 turn signal (ie. left or right) or all turn signals?
do your hazard lights work?

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

jvas- it's just the passengers side and yes the hazards work. Everything seems to work except for when you turn the blinker on and then it doesn't light up or blink...I've changed bulbs and checked fuses and nothing is working.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Is there a flasher unit ubder the dash? Not sure if cars still have these or not, beem a long time since I have serviced a car. They look like a small silver can usually.

 

[browneyes]

Maybe there's a problem with the switch making contact to make the signal work?

 

[Serena]

Chrissi, it sounds like a wire disconnected to me, but we can guess all day long. You need to find someone to find out what the problem is and fix it.

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

Thanks everyone!

Every now and again when i try to turn it on it makes an awful noise so I tend to go with Serena's suggestion but I am going to have my ex-H look at it tomorrow and see if maybe there is something obvious out of place.

Dan- a flasher unit is foreign to me so i don't know but I will keep it in mind when I am talking to people to find out the problem!

 

[mudnuri]

The flasher unit- if equiped is just a giant fuse...its silver, usually round, and has 3 prongs- like a household outlet....it should be in the same area as your fuse box- under the steering wheel.

There might be two- as 1 is probably the horn... however,depending on how new the car is- you might not even have 1!!

Good luck

FWIW, I will pull an engine, replace brake lines, install suspension lifts, fenders and doors- but I ALWAYS bring electrical junk to someone else!!! MAJOR headaches!

Brandy

 

[jvas]

is it both the front and back of the passengers side that don't work?

 

[jvas]

if it were the flasher...neither front nor back would work

Originally posted by mudnuri
The flasher unit- if equiped is just a giant fuse...its silver, usually round, and has 3 prongs- like a household outlet....it should be in the same area as your fuse box- under the steering wheel.

There might be two- as 1 is probably the horn... however,depending on how new the car is- you might not even have 1!!

Good luck

FWIW, I will pull an engine, replace brake lines, install suspension lifts, fenders and doors- but I ALWAYS bring electrical junk to someone else!!! MAJOR headaches!

Brandy

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

mudnuri- Thanks for the info, I will try and look at that later.

jvas- it is front and back that is not working.

THis morning I did (force of habit) turn it on and it worked for one turn but the rest it didn't. I am leaning towards the wire is not connecting maybe slipped out or something.

The truck is a 95 so it's just getting old and needs some TLC.

Thanks again for the info!!

 

[mom2boys]

well if it were my turn signal, I'd drive to the dealership & wait around half the day & pay $$$$$

Hopefully you can avoid that scenario

 

[Chrissi Pooh]

mom2boys- I have to avoid that scenerio, I am a single mom with no free cash to give to the dealer.

I am having my ex-h check it out this evening, he has a few leads as to what it could be and thanks to the great DISers here I will add these to the list!!!

 

[chager]

You may want to check and make sure your vehicle isn't part of a recall too. I have a 2001 Alero and just got a recall on the turn signal box. Evidentally there is a problem that causes the signals to stop working. Just thought I'd throw that out there just in case.