No turn signals, fuse blows in reverse

2005 CHEVROLET ASTRO
100,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MREDDIE
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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.
May 20, 2019 at 9:15 PM
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STRAILER
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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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May 23, 2019 at 12:37 PM
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MREDDIE
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Thanks for the reply Ken, will knock that out this week!

Ed
May 28, 2019 at 1:54 AM
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STRAILER
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Great let me know.
May 29, 2019 at 6:18 PM
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MREDDIE
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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
Jun 2, 2019 at 4:16 PM
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STRAILER
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I don't see the video? Can you upload it here?
Jun 4, 2019 at 10:26 AM
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MREDDIE
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Sorry about that...
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Jun 5, 2019 at 12:31 AM
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STRAILER
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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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Jun 5, 2019 at 4:27 PM
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MREDDIE
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"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.
Jun 6, 2019 at 8:36 AM
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STRAILER
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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?
Jun 6, 2019 at 2:11 PM
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MREDDIE
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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.
Jun 6, 2019 at 2:58 PM
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STRAILER
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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?
Jun 7, 2019 at 10:39 AM
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MREDDIE
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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.
Jun 10, 2019 at 10:05 AM
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STRAILER
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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.
Jun 10, 2019 at 1:52 PM
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FIRECAPT
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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.
Jun 10, 2019 at 1:52 PM (Merged)
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PMLACEY3521
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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.
Jun 10, 2019 at 1:52 PM (Merged)