Brake Lights / Turn Signals Screwy

[ernie d]

Any ideas on this one.........when i put on turn signals, nothing happens (no signal). When I touch the brakes, both turn signal lights in dash bezel light up! Driving me crazy!


:confused

 

[clar2001]

on the right side of your stearing collum about 3/4 down on the right you will notice a wide wireing harrness this is for you turn signals flashers ect.
Possible this brade of wires is being pinched by your brake pedel when you apply brake.

 

[Stallion]

It could be those wires, but if that doesn't work, you could just change out the flasher. It is located on the passenger side of the Vette, if you look under the dash, you should be able to see it. There should be an actuator of some sort around it, too. You shouldn't be able to miss it.

Good luck!

TR

 

[JohnZ]

It's in your turn signal switch - all those circuits are controlled by contacts in the switch; when you step on the brakes, the brake light switch sends power into the turn signal switch, which then sends it to either or both stop lamps, depending on the position of the turn signal lever. If both dash indicators for the turn signals come on when you step on the brakes, something is amiss in the switch.

 

[Stallion]

John, where exactly is this switch located on our Vettes? Is it something easy to change?

 

[dman]

ernie.have you played with your tail light bulbs. power may feed back up turn sig circkt if you have bad grounds this may be your turn sig prob .

 

[JrdnsEdu]

Replacing the turn signal switch should be a last resort. It is a 'pain' to do. You have to remove the steering wheel and depending if you have either tilt/telescopic or not, there are about 10 steps that took me a few hrs.
I can send you direction if you need them. The cost of the switch was around 43 bucks I think.

 

[ernie d]

Problem still as bad as ever. Not sure if this is related.......but I did have console apart a couple days ago (installing new carpet), and this problem just started after putting it all back together. I don't think that I pinched any wires, but I suppose its possible. So if you guys can think of this issue with this new info in mind, great.

Stallion, I did change out the flasher, no difference.

dman, no, i don't think that i got into the tail light bulbs.......

JohnZ, regarding turn signal switch, does that make sense to you with the new info about console removal? I did look at wiring diagram, can see brake swith 14 ga orange and white leads going to fuse panel, through flasher (Stallion's idea) then ultimately to turn signal. So how sure of the faulty turn signal idea are you? Is there a way to test this b4 going to the trouble to replace it? Note JrdnsEdu's comment.

JrdnsEdu, yes please can you email it to me?

THANKS GUYS:confused :eek :crazy

 

[JrdnsEdu]

ernie_d-
I'll assume you do not have tilt steering . If you do, let me know since the directions are slightly differnet.
1-Remove sterring wheel- pretty straight fwd
2-remove column-instrument panel trim cover-3 screws- and cover
3-remove the snap ring from shaft.
4-remove lockplate
5-from steering shaft -slide directional signal canceling cam,preload spring and thrust washer
6-unscrew turn signal lever screw and remove lever
7-depress hazard warning knob and unscrew it
8-All columns: pull out switch connector from bracket on jacket and tape wire ends to prevent snagging on removal
9-remove wire protector by pulling down on tab
10- Tilt columns: position directinoal signal and shifter housing to low postion, then remove harness cover
11-unscrew 3 switch mounting screws and pull turn signal switch straight up, guiding wire harness thru opening in steering column housing
12-Installation is reverse- Make sure switch is in 'Neutral' and hazard knob is pulled out.
NOTE from Haynes....'Always' use a new snap ring in steering shaft groove.

 

[JohnZ]

Locate the long skinny connector for the wires that come out of the steering column - its mating connector is to the instrument panel harness. With the ignition on and the left turn signal on, you should have power at the double 20-ga. light blue wire (for the cluster indicator light and the left front turn signal, and you should also have power at the 20-ga. yellow wire (left rear turn signal). If not, it's switch time.

With the ignition off and the turn signals off, when you step on the brake pedal, you should only see power at the 14-ga. white, 20-ga. yellow and 20-ga. dark green wires - if you have power at any other wires, it's switch time.

 

[ernie d]

Turns out it was a bad wiring CONNECTOR right at the flasher!

Thanks guys.

Ernie