Blinkers not blinking - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Imjghook · 09-26-2005, 07:40 PM

I just purchased this truck so I dont know when or where or why they quit but they did. I replaced the fuse but thats as far as I can get on my own. The guy that I purchased the truck from said they worked week ago but who knows. If a bulb goes out does the whole blinker system go out or will I get a fast blinker like on newer cars?

4tiresngas · 09-26-2005, 07:52 PM

No, the whole system wil not stop working if a bulb goes out. Couple of easy things to check first....

1) There is a wiring harness that runs up the bottom side of your steering column to the turn signal assembly. Look under the dash and make sure it is plugged into the main underdash wiring harness securely.

2) You may want to replace the flashers. There are two of them on the fuse box. They only cost a couple of bucks.

If this doesn't fix it...you might want to buy a test light (looks like a screwdiver with a bulb on the end with a ground wire...it is pretty inexpensive also). If you have a multimeter..even better, but don't go buy one.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 09-26-2005, 07:53 PM

Welcome to the board from West Michigan!

Depending on the flasher, if one bulb goes out on a side, the the turn signal for that side will not flash.

Check out the front and rear lights with the turn signal on. They should be bright. If one or the other is dim or not working that is the place to start.

If both sides are on and bright, (front and rear) when you are checking it out, then try a new flasher, (located on the fuse panel).

Good luck,

Jim

Alan Potter · 09-26-2005, 07:56 PM

Welcome from Ohio!!!

4tiresngas · 09-26-2005, 07:56 PM

Oh, and WELCOME to the board from Fort Irwin (just North of Barstow) California. This is a great forum and there are a ton of guys and some gals that know a heck of a lot more than me about these trucks that are always willing to help folks out.

Longhorn Man · 09-26-2005, 08:38 PM

Never noticed you were at the NTC there 4tiresngas...I was just talkin about that place not even 10 min ago... weird.

On to the subject at hand.
Hit the 4 ways and see if they work... if so, then do a walk around and see what's workin and what isn't working.
If they all 4 work, then stick your head under the dash, and swap the flashers one for the other...quick trouble shooting step that costs nothing and is done in 5 seconds...and reversable. If the turn signals work now, and the 4 ways do not..You need one new flasher.
If there were lights out on your walk around...replace bulbs or repair the open circuit/bad ground. *NOTE*...if the rear ones are not working, odds are you have no brake lights.

1STtimePRo'71 · 09-26-2005, 08:41 PM

What if both rear blinkers work really well and the drivers front also is good but the pass. side front doesnt blink but has a new bulb? Then what? Ground Wire?

Tx Firefighter · 09-26-2005, 09:42 PM

Pull the flasher out and whack it against something. That usually fixes them for awhile.

Longhorn Man · 09-26-2005, 10:26 PM

Pro71, you shouldn't have a ground issue, the fact that the bulb lights up is a 95% sure thing that you have a good ground. I would look at the wires going to that front right socket, you probably have an open circuit up there somewhere. Your flasher is either not working properly in letting it flash, or you may have the newer electronic kind that will blink with little to no load. (great to have when you have LED's)

4tiresngas · 09-26-2005, 11:18 PM

Pro71, i just had a similiar problem on my left front blinker. It turned out to be the actual socket. The light came on but would not blink. I wiggled the wires on the back side of the socket and they blinked. I got another light housing/socket at a salvage yard for $5. Good as new.

Longhorn Man, I am scheduled to PCS from here next July. I can't wait. My wife has never lived anywhere but Metro Atlanta. Her first Army experience has not been too fun. Fortunately, I can retire in 18 months and it's back to Georgia!

Imjghook · 09-28-2005, 07:03 PM

My hazard lights work fine and I replaced both flashers but still no blinkers. Checked the wiring harness and its plugged in. I guess I have a short somewhere or maybe something has been disconnected.

09-26-2005, 07:40 PM	#1
Imjghook Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2	Blinkers not blinking I just purchased this truck so I dont know when or where or why they quit but they did. I replaced the fuse but thats as far as I can get on my own. The guy that I purchased the truck from said they worked week ago but who knows. If a bulb goes out does the whole blinker system go out or will I get a fast blinker like on newer cars?

09-26-2005, 07:52 PM	#2
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	No, the whole system wil not stop working if a bulb goes out. Couple of easy things to check first.... 1) There is a wiring harness that runs up the bottom side of your steering column to the turn signal assembly. Look under the dash and make sure it is plugged into the main underdash wiring harness securely. 2) You may want to replace the flashers. There are two of them on the fuse box. They only cost a couple of bucks. If this doesn't fix it...you might want to buy a test light (looks like a screwdiver with a bulb on the end with a ground wire...it is pretty inexpensive also). If you have a multimeter..even better, but don't go buy one. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

09-26-2005, 07:56 PM	#4
Alan Potter Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 162	Welcome from Ohio!!! __________________ '12 Silverado Crew Cab 4x4 '05 Silverado SWB '67 Chevrolet CST 2wd '49 Willys Jeepster

09-26-2005, 07:56 PM	#5
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Oh, and WELCOME to the board from Fort Irwin (just North of Barstow) California. This is a great forum and there are a ton of guys and some gals that know a heck of a lot more than me about these trucks that are always willing to help folks out. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

09-26-2005, 08:41 PM	#7
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	What if both rear blinkers work really well and the drivers front also is good but the pass. side front doesnt blink but has a new bulb? Then what? Ground Wire? __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

09-26-2005, 07:53 PM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Welcome to the board from West Michigan! Depending on the flasher, if one bulb goes out on a side, the the turn signal for that side will not flash. Check out the front and rear lights with the turn signal on. They should be bright. If one or the other is dim or not working that is the place to start. If both sides are on and bright, (front and rear) when you are checking it out, then try a new flasher, (located on the fuse panel). Good luck, Jim

09-26-2005, 08:38 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Never noticed you were at the NTC there 4tiresngas...I was just talkin about that place not even 10 min ago... weird. On to the subject at hand. Hit the 4 ways and see if they work... if so, then do a walk around and see what's workin and what isn't working. If they all 4 work, then stick your head under the dash, and swap the flashers one for the other...quick trouble shooting step that costs nothing and is done in 5 seconds...and reversable. If the turn signals work now, and the 4 ways do not..You need one new flasher. If there were lights out on your walk around...replace bulbs or repair the open circuit/bad ground. NOTE...if the rear ones are not working, odds are you have no brake lights.

09-26-2005, 09:42 PM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Pull the flasher out and whack it against something. That usually fixes them for awhile. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

09-26-2005, 10:26 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Pro71, you shouldn't have a ground issue, the fact that the bulb lights up is a 95% sure thing that you have a good ground. I would look at the wires going to that front right socket, you probably have an open circuit up there somewhere. Your flasher is either not working properly in letting it flash, or you may have the newer electronic kind that will blink with little to no load. (great to have when you have LED's)

09-26-2005, 11:18 PM	#10
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Pro71, i just had a similiar problem on my left front blinker. It turned out to be the actual socket. The light came on but would not blink. I wiggled the wires on the back side of the socket and they blinked. I got another light housing/socket at a salvage yard for $5. Good as new. Longhorn Man, I am scheduled to PCS from here next July. I can't wait. My wife has never lived anywhere but Metro Atlanta. Her first Army experience has not been too fun. Fortunately, I can retire in 18 months and it's back to Georgia! __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

09-28-2005, 07:03 PM	#11
Imjghook Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 2	My hazard lights work fine and I replaced both flashers but still no blinkers. Checked the wiring harness and its plugged in. I guess I have a short somewhere or maybe something has been disconnected.



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