Turn signals not working

2001 CHEVROLET S-10
130,000 MILES • 2.2L • 4 CYL • RWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
WESLEY M. BRADY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The turn signals in my truck do not work, but the lights light up when i hit the brake pedal. what could cause this?
Jan 11, 2017 at 5:43 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
CARADIODOC
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 34,306 POSTS
Blown fuse, bad flasher, turn signal switch. The flasher in your truck should be the standard, reliable, inexpensive thermal flasher. Those do not fail real often, but it is the easiest thing to start with. If you do not find a blown fuse, I will dig up a wiring diagram and figure out where to start testing. If you do have a blown fuse, start by checking for a damaged trailer wiring harness.
Jan 11, 2017 at 5:52 PM
Avatar
WESLEY M. BRADY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I think the trailer wiring was all cut out. the truck is bagged, and has a ton of custom work. I will check the fuses tomorrow at work.
Jan 11, 2017 at 7:22 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 15,113 POSTS
Do they light up but not flash? or do they do nothing? Rear only or both front and rear? What happens when you turn on the hazard switch?

Fuse wise it is a 20 amp in the fuse panel in the end of the dash.
If they turn on but do not flash, and you do not hear any clicking, the turn/hazard module is mounted behind the dash to the right of the radio.

A rather common failure on these is the actual contacts in the hazard switch. Not a hard item to replace if it is the problem.
Jan 11, 2017 at 8:23 PM
Avatar
WESLEY M. BRADY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Do not work at all, when I hit the brake they light up, both front and rear.
Jan 12, 2017 at 8:11 AM
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 15,113 POSTS
OK, being it's had a ton of work the wiring is probably not stock either. Does it still have the factory steering column?
Jan 12, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Avatar
WESLEY M. BRADY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes....I dont think the wiring was changed.
Jan 12, 2017 at 6:26 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Hey WESLEY,

Can you remove the rear bulbs to see if the terminals of the bulbs are melted together? Here is a wiring diagram so you can do some testing.

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

Please let me know what happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
Jan 18, 2017 at 4:53 AM
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 15,113 POSTS
OK, one of the issues with that vintage S series was a hazard switch problem where the contacts would melt and cause loss of turn signals or brake lights. Or the switch breaks and the hazard lights stay on.The way to tell if this is the issue is simple. You pull the hazard switch actuator out of the switch and see if the contact carrier is melted/deformed.
It just pulls out of the column. I have seen the carrier melted but have also seen the switch in the column fail as well. That means a new switch assembly.
Jan 18, 2017 at 12:41 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Great work STEVE W!
Jan 18, 2017 at 12:56 PM