Back Turn Signals and Brake lights will not work

Tiny
PARADOXALANOMALY
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 158,000 MILES
The back turn signals do not flash at all. The front signals work fine. Flipping the hazards switch turns the front signal lights on, but not the back.
The left and right brake lights do not come on when depressing the brake pedal, but the third brake light in the middle does come on.

When turning on the headlights, all bulbs will light up on the back, so all of them are getting power and are good. I've checked all of the fuses visually, and all seem to be fine.

I've replaced the multi-function lever on the steering wheel column and it did not fix the problem.
I've replaced the flasher relay located above the brake pedal and it did not fix the problem. I admit, I may not have replaced it with the right relay, but at the same time; It did not seem to make anything else inoperable that wasn't already so.

I'm worried that I will have to tear the entire car apart in search of a shorted wire somewhere. That wouldn't be the worse thing possible, except I work a full 40 hours every week and have 3 kids and this thing has to be fixed by the 7th this thursday per the repair order I was issued.
Monday, August 4th, 2014 AT 6:45 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Sounds like a problem with multifunction switch? Did you replace that switch? Does the high-mount brake lite work?

The lower brake lites and turn signal use the same bulb filament, just not at the same time. The voltage wire colors are dark green for one side, yellow for the other side.
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Monday, August 4th, 2014 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
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The multifunction switch is the actual lever that you pull to engage the turn signals, correct? If so then, yes I did replace that and It did not fix the problem so I returned the part.

The high-mount brake light does work correctly. Again, as long as the high mount brake light is the middle brake light that is on the actual trunk lid.

I apologize for not knowing the correct names of everything. I like to imagine that I'm mechanically inclined, but I certainly lack knowledge of parts and procedures.

Thank you for the quick response!
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Monday, August 4th, 2014 AT 8:08 AM
Tiny
JDL
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You could find those wire colors I mentioned, under the dash, where the wires come out of the steering column. One color is for the left rear, the other color is for right rear. Step on the brake, see if voltage on those wires, use test light. If no voltage, I believe the problem is in the steering column, possibly the wiring.
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Monday, August 4th, 2014 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
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I will attempt to find those colored wires coming from the steering column as soon as I get home. I do not have a test light, but I do have a Klein non-contact voltage tester. Would that work?

Thanks again for your help. I will return with my findings and let you know what I've found. I appreciate the tips!
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Monday, August 4th, 2014 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
JDL
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A simple automotive test light doesn't cost much. I would want to probe the wire or connector to find voltage.

I'm not sure about a non-contact voltage detector?
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Monday, August 4th, 2014 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
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Non-contact voltage detector. Looks like a slightly fatter then normal pen. You wave it near the wire you want to test and it will beep if it detects a live wire.
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Monday, August 4th, 2014 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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I understand, but, the wires are usually in bunches, which one? Just my opinion, I'd rather use a testlight.
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Monday, August 4th, 2014 AT 11:07 AM

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