1987 Chevy Astro Turn Signal problems

Check the grounds to your beake lights and front turn signals. The easiest way is to remove the bulb and run a test light from battery "positive" to the ground terminal in the socket. Your test light should light if ground is good. If not, check the system ground(s).

James,

Thanks for the tip. I will check out the grounds as soon as I can. It is more difficult with the time change.

Would a bad ground cause the parking lights and tail lights, and the tone for the key, to come on when I step on the brake pedal with the car not running, no key in the ignition, door open? I am guessing that this part of the problem suggests a short somewhere. If so can you suggest where I would begin looking for that?

Thanks.

Bob

Bob, Open grounds in a car do weird things. If a light in a vehicle loses ground, it will take anything close to it and try to use it as a ground. Lets try something. Turn the key to "on", turn your left turn signal on, then step on and hold the brake. Does the left brake light blink? And, does anything strange happen to your signals? If I'm right, in a sense it is a short, but it's backwards. Let me know what you find, Jim.

Jim,

First I checked the fuses when I got home. I have been checking the turn signal fuse but this time checked the brake light fuse too and it was fried.

With the key turned on, left turn signal on, the left rear and front turn signal lights flash. When I applied the brake the left lights kept flashing normally.

When I switched to the right turn signal both rear signals, the dash light and the license plate lights all flashed. When I then applied the brakes the left rear signal stopped flashing and brightened like a brake light should. The dash light and front turn signal keep flashing.

When I pulled the left rear flasher bulb and turned the left turn signal on I got a normal response with my test light. [I can't find my multimeter, of course] Now, when I turned on the right turn signal and tested the left socket with my light, the hot terminal did nothing, but the ground terminal gave me a flashing light. The license plate light was flashing as well.

This is as far as I have gotten. Does this provide enough information to help narrow it down? I am open to trying any suggestions you have.

Thanks,

Bob

Bob, your hot on the trail. You definately have a ground problem somewhere in the rear. My locator system is down (I'm working on it now) or I would send you a diagram of all the ground locations. As soon as I get back on line I'll send you a copy. Do you have, or have access to, a fax? Jim.

Jim, Yes I have access to a fax at work. Just make it attention Bob Brown.

405-466-3459

Thanks,

Bob

Bob, just to let you know I haven't forgotten you. I'm still trying to find a diagram for wiring and ground locations, Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the update. I was a little concerned. My wife will be relieved if you can help me track this down. She is the one that has to drive this old beast.

Thanks,

Bob

Fax is on it's way. It's not very clear. Hope this helps, Jim.

Thanks Jim,

I got the fax. Any suggestions on what I should do or where I should start to try to narrow this down?

Thanks,
Bob

I tried to find a "ground" location diagram, but apparently there isn't one available for Astro. The only thing I can suggest is to start at the back end and test your ground connections from the light sockets forward until you find a bad one.

Jim,

I will give it a shot. I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks again,

Bob

Bob, let me know what you find out when you get a chance, Jim.