Ok you automobile experts try and diagnosis this one.

Winter Woman

Winter Woman

Well-Known Member
Ok, I have a problem with my car that no one seems to be able to figure out.

I had a hitch and lighting connector installed about 2 weeks ago. Everything seemed find. Then the driver's brake light, blinker and running light stopped working. I checked the bulb and fuse they are ok.

I made an appoint and took it back where they installed the hitch. When I got there the lights were working, urgh!! On the way home I turned on the turn signal they worked for about 4 blinks then off. Put the blinker handle back to neutral and then moved it back to blinker position they work for 4 blinks then off again. I can do that all day. No blown fuse, no blown bulb. What's up? I can't run around town it's like asking to be pulled over.

Does anyone have an idea? Does anyone know someone in metro Detroit that is very experienced with auto electrical and is dependable?
 
chrishydro

chrishydro

Well-Known Member
Bottom line replace the blinker relay, they are easy to find usualy on your fuse pannel but older ones were inline. Turn on the blinker and listen it is the thing that is clicking. I would bet that by putting the additional plugs on it has changed the amperage load enough to wear out the blinker relay. They are very cheap and can be bought at any auto parts store. Take yours out and go in and hand it to the guy. Than go plug it back in.
 
Winter Woman

Winter Woman

Well-Known Member
chrishydro said:
Bottom line replace the blinker relay, they are easy to find usualy on your fuse pannel but older ones were inline. Turn on the blinker and listen it is the thing that is clicking. I would bet that by putting the additional plugs on it has changed the amperage load enough to wear out the blinker relay. They are very cheap and can be bought at any auto parts store. Take yours out and go in and hand it to the guy. Than go plug it back in.
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Should a blinker relay be easy to find? Would it cause only one side to not operate? That is where I'm getting confused. I did notice that the running light fuses, etc., are right or left only.
 
MixedMelodyMindBender

MixedMelodyMindBender

Active Member
Yeah it does sound as if your blinker relay is for some reason closing after blinking a couple times. More than likely a short in the mechanism causing that.

That would be your cheapest point to start. If this does not fix your problem then you will more than likely have to replace your "blinker" :) mechanism itself. In which I would recommend you take it to a qualified mechanic/repair shop. You can find them used, but I would not waste your time with used and buy new with a warranty.

Chevy itself is pretty infamous for relay's tripping with "blinker" issues :)

The technical name for the device in question is a Turn Signal Assembly :) But if your capable I would check your relay for your Turn Signal Assembly located in your fuse panel.

Fuse Panel should be on inside of dash panel when you open driver side door. If its not there it will be under neath by your hood latch.

Sometimes when relays trip, one side will work but not the other. It adds more confirmation its your relay and not your assembly.

Once you pop your fuse panel, there will be a diagram on the inside of the cover that will point you to your relay. It may not look as if its not working, but its a 4-6$ part at autozone. If your gonna try and fix this yourself this would be your best starting point. Even at a garage, a lot of trouble shooting is guesswork by trial and error. Starting with cheapest to most exp.

Granted they could hook up OBD ( on Board Diagnostics) but it would not pinpoint the exact cause of problem, it would just let mechanic know there is an issue.
 
MixedMelodyMindBender

MixedMelodyMindBender

Active Member
Its a relay...it will look like a lil box yes :) Prob has a red cover or possibly clear. It will still be located within your fuse panel. If there is not a diagram on the inside cover of fuse panel you will be on your own to find it :) Maybe do some googling or ask family members.

Doing some research now...I have mechanics software but takes a minute to boot up and find what I am looking for. With that I should be able to tell ya exactly where its located and the number corresponding to it.

Iight well what I got is that your turn signal fuse is a 10A located in your fuse panel. Its in the second column from left, and should be three down. According to my software your Relay is housed in the BCM...Body Control Module. With that, you should prob check your fuse to make sure its making good proper contact. If its not the fuse, then its the relay, in which you will have to take it to a garage :)
 
Winter Woman

Winter Woman

Well-Known Member
MixedMelodyMindBender said:
Its a relay...it will look like a lil box yes :) Prob has a red cover or possibly clear. It will still be located within your fuse panel. If there is not a diagram on the inside cover of fuse panel you will be on your own to find it :) Maybe do some googling or ask family members.

Doing some research now...I have mechanics software but takes a minute to boot up and find what I am looking for. With that I should be able to tell ya exactly where its located and the number corresponding to it.
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Thanks again. I'm going out there right now and checking it while I still have a ride to the auto parts store. :smile:
 
racerboy71

racerboy71

bud bootlegger
i have also seen blinker relays that were round and about an inch or two deep ww, the one's i have seen were chrome as well.. it's been awhile though...
 
MixedMelodyMindBender

MixedMelodyMindBender

Active Member
Yeah my software says that the relay is housed in the Body Control Module which makes electrical sense. It could very well be egg shaped for all I know :) 200 a month software and it still doesn't give all that much info on the relay. More times than not its square or round. Most are located under your hood but with the Impala they utilize BCM. Need to do some resetting once you take that off you will have to have OBD hooked up to reset computer. Otherwise you'll just replace it and now the car won't start :)
 
MixedMelodyMindBender

MixedMelodyMindBender

Active Member
billybob420 said:
Told you it was the blinker.
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The "blinker" aka Turn Signal Assembly is still functioning just not completely. If the relay is not her problem, then it would be with the assembly device and not the relay :)

Now for a new Assembly can be anywhere from 25-60$ depending on which manufacturer you go with. You can get them used from scrap yards for less but IMO go with new if you must. Hopefully its just a relay for your sake.


Hey Hey I found it :)
Open the hood of the Malibu and remove the cover from the fuse block. Locate relays in slot 22 and 23. If the metal rod in any of those fuses is broken, use a puller to remove the relays and replace it with a new 10A relay. These are labeled " Turn Signal Assembly Relays"


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racerboy71

racerboy71

bud bootlegger
MixedMelodyMindBender said:
Yeah my software says that the relay is housed in the Body Control Module which makes electrical sense. It could very well be egg shaped for all I know :) More times than not its square or round. Most are located under your hood but with the Impala they utilize BCM. Need to do some resetting once you take that off you will have to have OBD hooked up to reset computer. Otherwise you'll just replace it and now the car won't start :)
Click to expand...
well that effin blow mmmb... i hate all the new computer controlled shit personally..
 
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