NO turn signals! Changed flasher & bulbs, now what?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RainDog · 03-05-2003, 09:59 PM

Hey guys--trying to make sense of the pesky wiring (?) problems in my "new" GMC. Turn signals no worky, neither the lights themselves or the indicator lights on the dash. So, after new bulbs and flasher, the only other thing I can think of is the turn signal cam(?) itself in the steering column. I'm hoping those more electrically-inclined can tell me how I would go about testing this hypothesis, or maybe I've missed something else? Any diagnosis ideas? I'm really hoping it's not just a rotted-old-wiring problem! Thought I'd run it by you guys before I try and pull the fruggin' steerin' wheel and go pokin' about in its guts. Thanks!

RainDog

pissonNOS · 03-05-2003, 10:02 PM

theres only one thing you can do. Make it a strip truck all u have to do is go straight haha but no i dont know

Gordo · 03-05-2003, 10:03 PM

The fuse checks out and you have power at the fuse? Do the emergency flashers work?

71 BIG RED · 03-05-2003, 11:17 PM

RAIN DOG, Put down the gun, check your backup lights they should be the only other thing on that fuse. if your brake lights are working and tail lights are working then both elements of your 1157 bulbs are ok and so is the ground. check and make sure that the ppl.(purple) wire coming out of your flasher is hot. this is the turn flasher. this purple wire enters your steering column through the connector at the bottom. now if you have power at this point. I can only conclude that your turn switch in the column may be bad. sorry !!! 71 big red

RainDog · 03-05-2003, 11:21 PM

Thanks, Gordo. The emergency switch doesn't work either. I changed all the fuses in the block, nothing. I was going to grab my multimeter and check the turn signal circuit at the fuse box, I think that's pretty easy to do. Is there any way to test the turn signal switch while it's still in the column, or do I have to take everything apart? Thanks!

RainDog

71 BIG RED · 03-05-2003, 11:54 PM

Rain, sorry, bad info, ppl wire enteres steering column as part of the ribbon connection at dash level behind column cover plate.

**kwmech** · 03-06-2003, 02:18 AM

This may sound stupid but did you check to see that the t-s harness is fully plugged in? I used to have a truck that would come apart from time to time because the lock tabs on the side would't hold, also is it all of the signals front and rear?

RainDog · 03-06-2003, 04:33 AM

Hey guys,
Thanks for the replies! Yes, I made sure all the wires and fuses were tight. I'll check tomorrow and see if I've got power on that purple wire. Interestingly, one of my backup lights isn't working, but I haven't checked the bulb or connections yet. If it IS the turn signal switch itself, what all is involved in getting to and replacing it??

Thanks,

RainDog

oldcarbuff · 03-06-2003, 12:04 PM

Make sure you check the grounds--Most of the oddball electrical things I have run across all come back to a bad ground. You may want to rig one up temporarily.

I usually start with an electrical tests at the back lights and work my way forward. No power at the socket? Move farther forward, repeat as needed.

OCB

70c10 · 03-06-2003, 01:48 PM

I recently went thru this same thing and it was my switch. Piece of cake to switch out.

03-05-2003, 09:59 PM	#1
RainDog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burien, WA, USA Posts: 391	NO turn signals! Changed flasher & bulbs, now what?? Hey guys--trying to make sense of the pesky wiring (?) problems in my "new" GMC. Turn signals no worky, neither the lights themselves or the indicator lights on the dash. So, after new bulbs and flasher, the only other thing I can think of is the turn signal cam(?) itself in the steering column. I'm hoping those more electrically-inclined can tell me how I would go about testing this hypothesis, or maybe I've missed something else? Any diagnosis ideas? I'm really hoping it's not just a rotted-old-wiring problem! Thought I'd run it by you guys before I try and pull the fruggin' steerin' wheel and go pokin' about in its guts. Thanks! RainDog __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."

03-05-2003, 10:02 PM	#2
pissonNOS senior member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: fort macleod alberta Posts: 2,770	theres only one thing you can do. Make it a strip truck all u have to do is go straight haha but no i dont know __________________ 69 GMC bagged

03-05-2003, 10:03 PM	#3
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	The fuse checks out and you have power at the fuse? Do the emergency flashers work? __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

03-05-2003, 11:17 PM	#4
71 BIG RED Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Elko,Nevada Posts: 22	RAIN DOG, Put down the gun, check your backup lights they should be the only other thing on that fuse. if your brake lights are working and tail lights are working then both elements of your 1157 bulbs are ok and so is the ground. check and make sure that the ppl.(purple) wire coming out of your flasher is hot. this is the turn flasher. this purple wire enters your steering column through the connector at the bottom. now if you have power at this point. I can only conclude that your turn switch in the column may be bad. sorry !!! 71 big red __________________ big red 71

03-05-2003, 11:21 PM	#5
RainDog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burien, WA, USA Posts: 391	Thanks, Gordo. The emergency switch doesn't work either. I changed all the fuses in the block, nothing. I was going to grab my multimeter and check the turn signal circuit at the fuse box, I think that's pretty easy to do. Is there any way to test the turn signal switch while it's still in the column, or do I have to take everything apart? Thanks! RainDog __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."

03-05-2003, 11:54 PM	#6
71 BIG RED Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Elko,Nevada Posts: 22	Rain, sorry, bad info, ppl wire enteres steering column as part of the ribbon connection at dash level behind column cover plate. __________________ big red 71

03-06-2003, 02:18 AM	#7
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,628	This may sound stupid but did you check to see that the t-s harness is fully plugged in? I used to have a truck that would come apart from time to time because the lock tabs on the side would't hold, also is it all of the signals front and rear?

03-06-2003, 04:33 AM	#8
RainDog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burien, WA, USA Posts: 391	Hey guys, Thanks for the replies! Yes, I made sure all the wires and fuses were tight. I'll check tomorrow and see if I've got power on that purple wire. Interestingly, one of my backup lights isn't working, but I haven't checked the bulb or connections yet. If it IS the turn signal switch itself, what all is involved in getting to and replacing it?? Thanks, RainDog __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."

03-06-2003, 12:04 PM	#9
oldcarbuff Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Muncie, IN U.S.A. Posts: 60	Make sure you check the grounds--Most of the oddball electrical things I have run across all come back to a bad ground. You may want to rig one up temporarily. I usually start with an electrical tests at the back lights and work my way forward. No power at the socket? Move farther forward, repeat as needed. OCB

03-06-2003, 01:48 PM	#10
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	I recently went thru this same thing and it was my switch. Piece of cake to switch out. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads



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