Turn signal & brake light Gremlins??

Overnight, without disturbing or messing with anything, my turn signals quit
lighting up, indicators don't do anything when I operate the turn signal
stalk.

When I hit the brakes, all 4 front and rear turn signals illuminate and the
turn signal indicators in the cluster light up.

Has anyone out there already solved this problem????

Thanks,

Dave

I suspect the turn signal switch has failed.

The brake lights feed the turn signal switch.  The rear turn signals and brake lights are the exact same bulbs and wires.  The rear turn signals are powered by a feed from the brake light switch.  When the turn signal is turned on, the  brake feed is disconnected, and the flasher is connected to the front and back turn signal on both front and rear. 

Your car is feeding the brake signal to both sides.  This must be either a failed/shorted turn signal switch, or a shorted wiring harness to the turn signal wiring harness.

I would also look at the ground connections going to the switch and the flasher. I have seen a missing ground cause front lamps to light when hittting the brakes.


Owen

Try checking one simple thing....check your hazard warning flasher knob (4-way flashers).  Since the 4-way flashers are the same as the turn signals, if the switch is part way out....or if all the way and the 4-way flasher is bad, you can see the same problem you are seeing now. Martin7238402.2700694444

Thanks Fellers!!!

It was the hazard flashers.......... No grounding problems, no shorts.

I kinda recall turning on the hazard flashers last time I drove it B4 the problem surfaced, they did not work. I had left the push switch in. Pulled it out, the Gremlins went away.

I noticed while checking out your suggestions that I do have a bad turn signal switch also. I gotta hold the switch hard against the right hand stop to make the right front light blink, rear works fine. I can get along without the hazard flashers and right front blinker for a while.

Eventually I'm gonna have to dig into the column to fix the turn signal switch and flashers, but the main Gremlin problem is solved. The guy behind me will now know when I'm turning and which way.

Too simple... no witch hunting. This forum is THE NUTS!

Thanks again,

Dave

If you have a loose turn signal stalk, you're better off buying a new switch assy.  I did mine and it has never felt better and works a charm.  Hardest part was the spring clip that holds the security steering lock plate on the steering column.  If you don't have a helper you need four hands to get it off.

Also remember you have two flashers, one for turn, and one for 4-ways.
Your 4-way might just need a new flasher.

I do have a super sloppy turn signal stalk. I'm glad to know it is the bad switch causing it. Seems like damn near everything on that car requires 3 or 4 hands to work on, especially under and around the dash.

I am going to replace the hazard flasher before I do any hard work. Seems like I have been working on the thing for over a year and am 'bout burned out!!

Dave

You can get a lock plate tool to remove the spring very easily.  Autozone and a few other parts stores rent them.  Acutally you buy it, the get a full refund when you return it.  No cost.

Ken,

I never would have thought Autozone would have had such a specialty part!

Thanks for the tip!

Dave