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Turn signal and hazards circuit issue

Tiny
TOTALMC
  • MEMBER
  • 1968 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 50 MILES
Aftermarket GM style column ( with hazards and turn signals ).

One of the shops doing work broke the hazard switch, so I'm thinking that's the root of my problem.

I have power at all times through every circuit coming out of the column connector - I know I should have 2 hot coming in, but the other 4 ( 2 front signals and 2 rear signals, brakes ) are also always hot - and I know they should only be hot when switched on.

Did the guy that broke the hazard switch damage the inside turn signal mechanism, and fuse it all hot?

Thanks in advance for any help.
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Saturday, July 3rd, 2021 AT 6:16 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning,

Yes, it sounds like the hazard switch has damaged the turn signal switch itself causing these issues.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/turn-signal-switch-replacement

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/turn-signals-not-working-blinker

Can you post a picture of the column so I can see what it looks like to look up wiring and the procedure for the repair?

Roy
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Sunday, July 4th, 2021 AT 3:23 AM
Tiny
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Thanks. I have the wiring diagram (already swapped a new column and installed a painless wiring harness). Customer has had the car in several shops in between the work I've been doing, and it seems they break something I've completed every time. As for the turn signal mechanism, I've replaced them before. Just wanted some confirmation before I tear apart to column in case someone had an idea of anything else that it could be.

Thanks again.
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Sunday, July 4th, 2021 AT 9:39 AM
Tiny
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That's why I wanted a picture.

If it is the old style column, the hazard switch is part of the turn signal switch.

I attached the breakdown of the column I was referring to.

Roy
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Sunday, July 4th, 2021 AT 10:33 AM
Tiny
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I'm pretty sure the hazard is attached opposite the turn signal, just didn't feel like pulling the 9 bolt adapter off the column at the time ( my puller kit is at the bottom of a very heavy, hard to reach container). I'm unable to get a pic until I go back next week and from what I understand, there's a few different versions of the turn signal/harness (that look about the same to me, except for wired differently, because of key in column option).
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Sunday, July 4th, 2021 AT 11:31 AM
Tiny
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Depends on the column you got. There are several columns available.

Roy
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Sunday, July 4th, 2021 AT 11:35 AM
Tiny
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Just got a brand new Flaming River column ($600.00) - plug it in and same thing, all wires hot.

White wire should be hot at all times (coming from brake switch), as should brown wire from hazards. Purple from directionals hot with key on.

So I can't understand why the other four turn signal circuits are hot coming out of the column without anything being turned on.

- I've checked the connector and it looks good. I'm at my wits end trying to figure this out.
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Thursday, July 8th, 2021 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
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Also when checking with test light, hazard and turn input (brown and purple wires) will activate the flasher and my test light blinks. Is that just because of the draw from the bulb on the test light?
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Thursday, July 8th, 2021 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
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That is because the test light is providing a ground. That is why the turn signals activate like that. Look at the body harness. You may have to unwrap the harness but you have a short to power somewhere.

Check the bulkhead connector at the firewall. It was common for that connector to be an issue.

Roy
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Friday, July 9th, 2021 AT 1:24 AM
Tiny
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Not sure if I'm figuring this correctly.

With the column plug disconnected, only the three wires coming to it that are supposed to be hot, are.

When I connect it, they are all hot (7 total).

Wouldn't that make the short in the column?

I've installed a brand new painless harness, and I imagine as the car's been in different shops since (3 different paint and body, alarm/stereo), somewhere down that line anything can be damaged.

But if the short was in the body somewhere, why does it only show itself when I actually hook up the column connector?

Thanks again
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Friday, July 9th, 2021 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
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I am wondering if the painless harness for the body you installed is compatible with the column.

Roy
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Friday, July 9th, 2021 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
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Yes, everything has GM connectors (that's the way most aftermarket stuff comes).
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Friday, July 9th, 2021 AT 2:03 PM
Tiny
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And I'm still not sure how a short to power on the body would only show up after plugging in the column harness, wouldn't it still show regardless if the column connector was connected or not?

Thanks again
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Friday, July 9th, 2021 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
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If power from the switch goes to the body harness, if there is a short it will show. Without it plugged in there is no power to the wires for the lights. This is an issue with the body harness.

Roy
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Saturday, July 10th, 2021 AT 1:54 PM
Tiny
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I finally figured it out. Brake light switch wasn't closing all the way (the kind that the brake pedal presses the button to turn off).

It's too hot out here in Vegas to even think while I'm at work, sometimes making troubleshooting very difficult.

Thanks again for your help.
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Saturday, July 10th, 2021 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

We're glad to hear you figured it out and repaired the problem. Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions or need help.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, July 12th, 2021 AT 9:10 PM

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