Inoperative turn signal ?!

[JerCutlass]

Hey guys, Since 3 days ago, my car doesnt signal right.

When switched on, there is no sound, the light just stays on, tho not active outside.

 

Do I have to swap the guage cluster ?

 

thx

[Justin]

Try pulling on the stalk towards you when signalling, like you would be flashing your high beams. If the signals start working properly, the turn signal switch needs to be adjusted/replaced. You could also have some bulbs out, that can cause problems. Turn on your flashers and check bulbs, and go from there. Plenty of writeups on here for adjusting the switch as well.

[ns87]

I had to replace my flashers. Do you hazards work? The flasher only costs ~$3 and is located right near the brake pedal under the dash

[meltboy1]

Try pulling on the stalk towards you when signalling, like you would be flashing your high beams. If the signals start working properly, the turn signal switch needs to be adjusted/replaced. You could also have some bulbs out, that can cause problems. Turn on your flashers and check bulbs, and go from there. Plenty of writeups on here for adjusting the switch as well.

Ya, that is a pretty common problem... had it on my 91GP, and my friends 94 does the same thing. I went to a junkyard, grabbed a new unit, pulled the steering wheel and installed, worked fine after that.

 

[rockfangd]

that same exact thing happened to me tonight, when i signaled left the hud and cluster showed the arrow but it did not flash, it did that for about 3 miles then it just started working? funny thing is right was fine but left wasnt working

[ManicMechanic]

Check your outside bulbs...Likely you have one out.

[DiscoStudd]

What year is your car?

 

If it's 94+, then check out this page:

 

http://tss.likeabigdog.com

[1990lumina]

And if it is 94 and down I think it is even easier to change out. Only real fancy tool you need is a steering wheel puller, I bought one but you can rent them out for free too I think. Changing the TSS on my '90 Lumina was cake.

[DiscoStudd]

On the 88-93's, you can disassemble the switch itself and bend the contacts back down. Granted, it's not a permanent fix, but it'll get you by until you obtain a new switch...

[1990lumina]

On the 88-93's, you can disassemble the switch itself and bend the contacts back down. Granted, it's not a permanent fix, but it'll get you by until you obtain a new switch...

 

True! Though when I took my switch out one of the contacts had fallen off (somehow it broke off after 17yrs lol)

[JerCutlass]

In reply to my post, The hazards work, the lights on the dash flash.

Tho the turn signal doesnt work.

 

 

.. Update,

After trying the hazards, the buttom broke off lol,and now both turn signals stop working , and dash doesnt display. ?!

so ill have to unnassemble the cover and glue back the hazard button (plastic).

 

So, after I fix this, I guess ill have to change that switch , must be the defective part.

 

thx for the replies.

 

[DiscoStudd]

Sounds to me like your turn signal flasher is dead. The turn signal flasher is located up behind the dash near the firewall. The hazzard flasher is typically attached to the dash housing and is easily accessible, so be sure you change out the proper flasher.

 

I read your profile and you say you have a 95 Cutlass, so I suggest you read http://tss.likeabigdog.com

 

The hazzard flasher on your car is mounted directly underneath the headlight switch, FYI...

[rockfangd]

the hazard switch i believe on the 95 doesnt change, it is still the one that pushes dows. if thats the case just pop on a new one

[JerCutlass]

Ill get to that asap

tnx for the link

[JerCutlass]

Just changed the turn signal flasher, wasnt the problem.

Looks like ill be dissassembling the steering wheel to get to the switch ..

 

tnx for the info.

[Crazy K]

On the 88-93's, you can disassemble the switch itself and bend the contacts back down. Granted, it's not a permanent fix, but it'll get you by until you obtain a new switch...

You CAN do the same on the 94+ saginaw (Round) columns. I have cleaned, re-bent, and lubricated the contacts on several cars with no ill effect... and i do mean on both types of columns.

 

Autozone and equivalent mass auto part stores will usually have loan a tools (deposit required, returned upon tool return) for teh task you have at hand.