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Turn signal not working

Tiny
MLD1983
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
When I flick the turn signal switch sometimes the light on the dashboard comes on and sometimes it comes on for a bit then cuts off. Other times it doesn't come on at all. Is this a bulb problem or something else?
Thursday, December 10th, 2009 AT 1:24 PM

36 Replies

Tiny
THIOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It is solder joint cracking caused by rapid temp transitions. Causes a open circuit and signals/hazard become intermittent and/or inoperative

dealer will replace the switch.
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
THIOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Caused by rapid temp transitions. Causes a open circuit and signals/hazard become intermittent and/or inoperative

dealer will replace the switch.
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
ILAHO_6009
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 162,415 MILES
While driving my car there is a random turn signal sound coming from the dash. We have removed the vent and have accessed the hazard switch. If this is removed, we do not hear any sound, however the turn signals fail to work. Periodically you can hear a sound that is reminiscent of an electrical short. We thought it could be the hazard switch that was bad but have purchased a used one and the sound continues. Is it possible that the turn signal/head light switch can be the part that is going bad?
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
May be a loose / weak ground wire at the switch causing the issue. Inspect wiring to the signal switch and hazard switch, if all wiring is OK then signal switch may be at fault.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SARNOLD2426
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 4.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I have just replaced the hazard switch in it. Now the turn signals will not come on. I have also replace the turn signal controller due to the wiper control arm was broken. So any help would be helpful.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Have you checked the fuse for the turn signals?
Are the hazard lights working?
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SARNOLD2426
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
After replacing everything, I later learned that the turn signals have not been working for the past few days prior of me replacing everything. Yes I did check all the fuses and everything check out okay. Also, the hazard switch is working as well. So at this point I am leaning towards that there is a short somewhere in wiring.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,323 POSTS
Hello,

There is a auto park lamp control relay that looks like it controls the power to the turn signals that could be out, here is a guide and a diagram that can help you get the problem fixed. Also you can check for power and see if you are loosing it somewhere.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Please run this test and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken

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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARREY61
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
2004 Oldsmobile Alero 4 cyl 34000 miles

how do you fix the drivers back blinkers
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Depending on what the fault is, have you check the globe, power at the socket and the earth, these are the main reasons for a light failure, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MALACY0349
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
For a while the turn signals would work but one day it stopped working the majority of the time.

Now the turn signals have become irregular in their functioning. Some times they will not come on, other times they will work like they are supposed to and even weirder is quite often a solid hit on the dashboard right above the gauges will bring them back on.

Any ideas?
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It might be a loose connection at dash, or it jars the hazard switch where your flasher is. Or coincidental
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANNE4670
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2004 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
2004 Oldsmobile Alero

We have a problem with the turn signal not working at different times (when it is raining or the air conditioner is on and it causes moisture). My husband has checked a few things, but still we would like more advice on how to fix it so we don't have to stick our arm out the window. Can you give a suggestion on what to try?
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
When it doesn't work, do you mean it doesn't flash or doesn't work at all?
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANNE4670
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Our turn signal does not work at all at iffeerent times
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
If they don't work at all, I would start at the switch in the steering column.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SNUPCAKE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 76 MILES
I have a 2003 olds alero w 76k miles. Just recently the following things have started happening. The turn signal goes ticka-ticka-ticka when it should shut off. The blower is not working well, it only works on high, and the lighter/outlet thing doesn't work if I plug anything in. Is this a sign that something big is going on or are these little unrelated things.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
They could be unrelated. Check your fuses for the lighter and body to battery ground for the flasher. You could have a bad flasher as well. For the blower check your resistor, it should be by the blower, see if it is getting and putting power out, it may not be. If it's not getting power check the control head.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
If the signals are not canceling, chances are the plastic tab that shuts them off when the steering wheel centers is broken. If the blower motor only works on high, chance are either you have a bad blower motor resister or relay. Finally, check for a blown fuse to the lighter. Check to see if there is power to the lighter. There should only be one wire going to it.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TWINKIEDELIGHT05
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
When you go to turn on the blinker sometimes they dont' work. But if they don't come on an you turn the fourways on an leave them on while you turn the blinker on an then turn four ways off the blinker will blink. But for some reason now that even though the blinker isn't on the ticking noise that the blinker makes while blinking ticks as if the blinker is on an it isn't. Any solutions
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)

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