No turn signals, fuse blows in reverse

Tiny
MREDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET ASTRO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Had no turn signals, found blown fuse. Changed, backed out and heard fuse blow. Hazards and turn signal share same relay but not power, hazard still works. Changed relay anyway, fuse blew. Checked light assembly plus wiring/Changed light bulbs, fuse blew. Checked condition of rev sw on transmission, cleaned with electric contact cleaner, fuse blew. Chg'd rev sw on transmission, fuse blew. I've been backing out in neutral since I'm on a slope then select drive to keep from blowing a fuse. Next step was to pull back-up lights out and ck rev but noticed detent for neutral was slight off. I got (N) but next detent (R) still showed (N) and I got reverse without blowing a fuse! Eases handle into next detent, (R) lit-up and fuse blew. I believe this was the case even before the rev sw was changed, just didn't catch it.
Monday, May 20th, 2019 AT 9:15 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,722 POSTS
Hello,

You have a wire or socket that is grounding. here is a guide to help you find it with the wiring diagrams so you can see how it works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response.
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Thursday, May 23rd, 2019 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
MREDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks for the reply Ken, will knock that out this week!

Ed
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Tuesday, May 28th, 2019 AT 1:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Great let me know.
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Wednesday, May 29th, 2019 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
MREDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Been working other issues but had time to pull all rear bulbs, fuse blew in Rev(R), engine was off. Had friend ck my (R) lights (back-up) for illumination before fuse blow, no lights fuse blew, engine off. Purchased workshop service manual and began spark chasing. Leaning toward the steering column and under dash wiring. Got manual in-case I have to play around the air bag (yikes!). Sent vid of lag in shifter especially RT to LT. Should have said "detent" each time the shifter fell in one. Can do if needed. Thanks for the look-out, Ken
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Sunday, June 2nd, 2019 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I don't see the video? Can you upload it here?
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Tuesday, June 4th, 2019 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
MREDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Sorry about that.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 12:31 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 47,722 POSTS
Okay cool. Thanks for the video helps. When the detente is in neutral going back into reverse is the car in neutral or reverse, if reverse the gear position sensor is out and needs to be repacked here is the location and instructions to do so. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
MREDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
"When the detente is in neutral going back into reverse is the car in neutral or reverse?" It's in reverse. The PNP was changed and I kept the old PNP also because it wasn't in bad condition. Also kept the old turn/flasher relay for troubleshooting.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 8:36 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 47,722 POSTS
I am trying to see if it is a linkage issue or switch. What I am getting at is do the gear working correctly but the indicator light does not follow or is the lights following correctly but the transmission is not in the correct gear for the lever position?
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM
Tiny
MREDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Copy that, the detente's are correct. The light indicators are not quite in-sync. When the Rev ind light illuminates, the fuse blows. Moving the level slowly to cycle thru detentes show a lag with some of the ind lights. Reminds me of how a rheostat hits it contacts. Like it's caught between two contacts then overloads. But it's all Chinese to me! Thanks for your questions and patience.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Lets remove the gear position sensor and replace it with a new OEM unit. Then lets remove the reverse light bulbs to see if the fuse stall blows. Check for melted terminals at the bulbs as well. Can I ask if you have trailer wiring?
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Friday, June 7th, 2019 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
MREDDIE
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Solved! Trailer wires were tucked in the jack and tools area. Everything looked neat and tidy but decided to unravel and stretch out wires to examine condition. Nothing concerning noted plus wires had a neat conduit around them so left as is to run to the store. Forgot and backed-up like normal then hit the brakes and threw it into park to keep fuse from blowing. Checked fuse, still good! Went to rev again, fuse still good and back-up lights on. Going to remove trailer wires conduit and inspect thoroughly. Thanks for asking about the trailer wires. I checked the schematic and saw how they tie into the system and saw three videos of install.
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 1:52 PM
Tiny
FIRECAPT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I have a problem with the left turn signal on my van. This only affects the left side. Only when the interior of the car is cold, my left signal will not work. If the inside of the car is warn at all, the signal works fine. If it is a sunny day and the inside is warm or if the car is very warmed up, it works perfectly. Any suggestions? Thank you very much.
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 1:52 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PMLACEY3521
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Next time it doesn't work take the bulb out and check for voltage- other than that I'd say replace the turn signal switch in the cab.
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Monday, June 10th, 2019 AT 1:52 PM (Merged)

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