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1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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JI66
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Apr 14, 2015, 3:38 PM
Post #1 of 11
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1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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1997 Chevy Truck - C/K 1500 - 5.0, 189,000 miles
I am new to this forum, my apologies upfront if I have made some mistakes with my 1st thread.
I'm looking for some direction on trying to rectify an issue that I most likely caused with the rear turn signals on my vehicle. I just purchased this vehicle, it is from Fla. and is relatively clean. The wiring seems factory original and in good condition everywhere.
The lights all worked fine on the vehicle until I did one of two things. I replaced the battery, and I washed down the engine / firewall with a minimal amount of water. After doing one of these tasks I lost both the left and right rear turn signals. When you activate either the right or left signal the front lamps flash at an above normal rate of speed.
I have checked the following; Inspected battery ground, rear wire harness ground, rear wire harness connections (2 adjacent to steering column and 1 under the rear bed) checked lamps, fuses, etc. I have found nothing out of the ordinary.
Could anyone provide any advice on how to further troubleshoot the problem? I am able to read an electrical print and am solid with a multimeter.
Thanks for your time.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 14, 2015, 4:55 PM
Post #2 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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You'll have to start testing the circuit from the turn signal switch on back, starting at the turn signal switch.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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JI66
Novice
Apr 15, 2015, 7:30 AM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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Thanks for the info. These are the best diagrams I have seen on-line.
Was wondering if you could understand a few basic fundamental questions in regard stop the turn signal.
1. If when activated the signal operates rapidly, does that basically indicate an "open" in the electrical system which would be similar to a "burnt" indicating lamp?
2. If you had an issue lets say with the rear wiring harness which was causing the rapid operation of the blinkers, by unplugging (disconnecting) that part of the harness would the blinker operation return from rapid to normal or did you basically cause an "open" in the system?
Thanks again for your feedback.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 15, 2015, 8:18 AM
Post #4 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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Just thought/ideas that might help for this exact truck: I own the 2500 of it and when I can look for where would DISLIKE BEING WASHED! DON'T DO THAT!
The flasher is different than some other types and solid state (could read that in diagram which are hard in my view here) but shows 4 prongs. Not sure why but have had several other of this type unit fail on exactly these GMs? It says................
">>The Flasher is located: Inside truck above driver's side kick panel<<"
If that's right it's not subject to getting wet but I'll check when I can on my own what the deal is there.
Should be able to back probe it and see steady 12v+ come in and blink/flash out to two of the prongs and may have stuck one to short or open?
Not conclusive if there's a main plug for back under the hood then goes on back that got soaked at a plug perhaps and will see just where that is located when I can. It's not in my possession right now to find that location for checking yet,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 15, 2015, 9:04 AM
Post #5 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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The fast flashing simply means there aren't enough bulbs in the circuit. The flasher is programmed for a certain amount of current draw and it flashes fast when it doesn't get enough.
2, No, just the opposite for the reasons above. Less bulbs, faster flashing.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 15, 2015, 11:41 AM
Post #6 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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Do the 4 way hazards light the bulbs? If so swap those flashers. Shows same part # - easy test,
T
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JI66
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Apr 15, 2015, 1:14 PM
Post #7 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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Thanks for the advice. I will give the 4 way flasher swap a try.
I was waiting for the comment on washing under the hood! LOL. I know better and thought that with the model year I could've gotten away with it. Oh well, another lesson learned the hard way!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 15, 2015, 1:27 PM
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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Cost nothing to try that. Why is looking at diagram from what I can see and the part showing FOUR prongs suggests in GM's brilliance that the same flasher sends out power separately to front and rear. Don't ask why they do stuff like that - they do on power door locks and other crap.
This isn't consisent with anything you did. Just could be and dumb luck. If really failed at the flasher bet the hazards won't flash them all or it could self correct by just touching them?
T
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JI66
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Apr 22, 2015, 7:58 AM
Post #9 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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I just got back in town and took a fresh look at this and checked out a few simple things. I now realize that the only thing working on the rear of the truck is the running lights. The 4 ways and signals only work forward and the brake lights do not work. Can you think of anything common to the rear of the truck which might be the culprit? I don't think it is a fuse issue since the front lights work ok. Is it possible to break the rear wire harness at one of the connections and actually perform a voltage test at the plug or do you need the completed circuit to perform the test?
Thanks, Jim
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Hammer Time
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Apr 22, 2015, 11:10 AM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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You can test for power and ground either way. If you're using a voltmeter, disconnected would probably because the cvoltage could be drawn down excessively if it's connected.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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JI66
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May 1, 2015, 2:35 PM
Post #11 of 11
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Re: 1997 Chevy Truck Rear Turn Signal issues
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Got it figured out...
Since I thought the problem was related to changing the battery or washing the engine compartment, I was focusing on finding an issue in the front of the truck. Turns out that the rear tail lamp socket printed circuit board had shorted out. Oh well...
Thanks again to everyone who chimed in..
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