Ok you automobile experts try and diagnosis this one.

billybob420 · May 30, 2012

racerboy71 said:
well that effin blow mmmb... i hate all the new computer controlled shit personally..

That's ironic.

curious2garden · May 30, 2012

Winter Woman said:
....snip.......

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. ....snip....

I would not immediately purchase a new relay. Shortly after tapping into your electrical system you now have an intermittent issue this sounds more like an intermittent short to me from the previous work.

Get under there with a good flashlight and take a look at the work they did or take it back again and tell them to show you precisely how they tapped into your electrical system.

MixedMelodyMindBender · May 30, 2012

I apologize, I did not read your post fully WW. YES, I agree with curious. Whomever you hired to do that work should be held liable IMO. They caused something to short, and thats exactly what it sounds like your describing.

So, before purchasing anything, I would take it BACK to them.

People think dr should get paid million....YET they work on ONLY 2 MODELS....Male and Female ...A mechanic on the Other hand works with 100's of models

And we average 60$ an hr compared to a Dr whom averages 600$ an hr

MixedMelodyMindBender · May 30, 2012

racerboy71 said:
well that effin blow mmmb... i hate all the new computer controlled shit personally..

Me as well, but it keeps mechanics, part manufacturers , and attorney's all a good job lmao.

I don't know how many times in my life a call goes something like " Yeah i replaced xyz and now my car won't even start".....Always something to do with the Computer. Its not the electrical, or mechanical that makes auto work so difficult, but the amount of computering that goes into making a vehicle run properly that is so frustrating.

Winter Woman · May 30, 2012

Well, I can't find the relay. I'm taking it to a shop on Friday. 3 weeks ago I dump $1,100 for 2 lower ball joints, pads and rotor all the way around, front and rear sway bar links and some other things.

Thanks, I'll keep on looking inside the car for a relay thingy.

Winter Woman · May 30, 2012

Shit!!! I thought that it was the wiring job. But they say it isn't their fault. Especially now since I had them remove it.

NoGutsGrower · May 30, 2012

curious2garden said:
I would not immediately purchase a new relay. Shortly after tapping into your electrical system you now have an intermittent issue this sounds more like an intermittent short to me from the previous work.

Get under there with a good flashlight and take a look at the work they did or take it back again and tell them to show you precisely how they tapped into your electrical system.

I'm with this guy! Sounds like a loose/bad ground or short on the new elec. work, but what would an ase tech know? Easiest thing to do would be remove the hitch wiring, return the car wiring to normal and see if you have any problems still. Flasher or blinker boxes are usually located behind the dash and are usually a pain.

NoGutsGrower · May 30, 2012

Winter Woman said:
Shit!!! I thought that it was the wiring job. But they say it isn't their fault. Especially now since I had them remove it.

You might have to take it some where else. If they cant tell you what it is, how do they know it's not their fault?

nastynate420 · May 30, 2012

Most mechanics aren't gonna admit to doing something wrong! Replace the relay (they are cheap!) when you find it and if that doesnt help bring it to a DIFF mechanic!

curious2garden · May 30, 2012

NoGutsGrower said:
I'm with this guy! Sounds like a loose/bad ground or short on the new elec. work, but what would an ase tech know? Easiest thing to do would be remove the hitch wiring, return the car wiring to normal and see if you have any problems still. Flasher or blinker boxes are usually located behind the dash and are usually a pain.

Actually I'm a girl

but I'm with you on the ground. That was my first thought. Worse depending on where they tapped in they could have taken out the relay or even the entire BCM. If they refuse to help then I'd take it to a Chevy dealer and sue the place in small claims court that did the hitch after you get the proof they broke it. Which the dealer will provide oh and be very clear about needing that proof.

NoGutsGrower · May 30, 2012

on earlier impalas (2000ish) the flasher for the turn signals is integrated into the hazard warning switch, don't know if the 08 is the same yet. I'll see if I can find out for ya.

RyanTheRhino · May 30, 2012

Winter Woman said:
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?

sounds like a loose connection or the relay in the blinker is going bad.

Is the trailer used? & did you have a truck fitted for a hitch or was it built in. If so make sure the correct voltage is being used.

RyanTheRhino · May 30, 2012

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.

Spot on... i should read before i post lol

RyanTheRhino · May 30, 2012

Winter Woman said:
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.

a relay can have multiple outputs so yes maybe one of the outputs got corroded

here is an example of a hazard light relay

RyanTheRhino · May 30, 2012

Winter Woman said:
Thanks again. I'm going out there right now and checking it while I still have a ride to the auto parts store.

make sure the wires connecting to the relay are not just loose before you go buy another one. Seems more likely since one blinker works while the other does not.

RyanTheRhino · May 30, 2012

RyanTheRhino said:
make sure the wires connecting to the relay are not just loose before you go buy another one. Seems more likely since one blinker works while the other does not.

on another thought does the blinker on your dash blink when the one on the trailer stops? That would indicate a loose wire cuz if the relay was seizing up after four clicks the one in the dash would stop also.

Corso312 · May 30, 2012

Winter Woman said:
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?

sounds like an electrical short and they can be a bitch to locate...good luck

RyanTheRhino · May 30, 2012

curious2garden said:
I would not immediately purchase a new relay. Shortly after tapping into your electrical system you now have an intermittent issue this sounds more like an intermittent short to me from the previous work.

Get under there with a good flashlight and take a look at the work they did or take it back again and tell them to show you precisely how they tapped into your electrical system.

when you do that make sure to check the trailer light end also. If you can solve the problem with out opening up that dash that would save a lot of time

RyanTheRhino · May 30, 2012

Corso312 said:
sounds like an electrical short and they can be a bitch to locate...good luck

Well since she said one of her blinkers worked and the other did not . This narrows it down to the wires from the relay to the broken trailer side.

nastynate420 · May 30, 2012

I had a chaffed wire on a my trailer taillights that cause similar issues

Ok you automobile experts try and diagnosis this one.

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