Turn signals, odometer, speedometer suddenly don't work.

Tiny
DARRELL BEVIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
Both turn signals suddenly don't work AND digital speedometer reads zero. Bad fuse? Which one?
Friday, July 1st, 2011 AT 11:05 PM

33 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hello,

There is a common relay that runs these systems called a IGN1 relay but to confirm the failure here is a guide and diagrams (below) showing you location of the relay and the wiring.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check out the diagrams (Below) Please let us know what happens
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Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
REY-GTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you for this post I had to get a new relay cost me $43.00 all fixed I love this site.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
PRAPOSO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 202,000 MILES
Ive replaced the fuses, bulbs and the relay switch. The emergency four ways work, but the turn signals dont
I can only reason the problem to be the turn switch. Can you advise me of how to test this and if so hjow to
replace it.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
There is a turn signal flasher behind lh side of dash. But at switch check to see if purple wire is sending from the flasher then yellow and light blue go to lights. If power is going through there then it's either a ground issue or light bulb issue/socket.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You have ot be careful on replacement as you don't want air bag to blow off in face and follow first two pic instructions very carefully if you decide to do this.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID OTTO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,000 MILES
My blinkers will not work. The fuses are good and the emergency blinkers work. Before I take the car in, what do you think if might be?
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
May want to save yourself a lot of time and money by simply replacing the signal flasher relay. It is located behind left side of the dash, left of the steering column. Simply pull it out like a fuse and replace with new relay.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DVNIMP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,000 MILES
When I turn my signal lights on they will not flash both front and back I just get the solid white
light in the front.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the hazard fuse 20amp, check the flasher unit and the turn/hazard switch
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DVNIMP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Good morning.

I checked the fuses and that is O.K. I have hazard
lights and all my lights work but the right and left
turm signals both front and back are not working
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Replace the flasher. If both of your turn indicators come on respectively, as well as exterior lights, but no flash, replace the flasher.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSMUSICIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
  • 1999 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 129,000 MILES
I have a problem with my Cadillac that I don't know how to get fixed. The turn signals, are Intermittent, in other words, they will just stop working, then randomly start working again. I would imagine it's some type of short somewhere, but I have no idea how to find where. Now when the turn signals stop, the flashers will work fine, all four, but when the turn signals stop, they are totally stopped, not one light on not flashing, or anything like that, just nothing. Then when they decide to start working again, they work fine again, until the next time they stop. I've tried jiggling the turn signal stick nothing. I've checked the little fuses, they seem ok. I just had a brand new alternator put on it (they went thru 3 alternators before they got a re-built one that worked) and he told me that should fix the turn signal problem too, but it hasn't. Also, sometimes the car will "Jack itself up" in the rear, way high. Then days later, go back down. I can live with that, but the blinker or turn signal problem, I can't. I couldn't afford a ticket, plus using hand signals is dangerous. Please, does anyone have any ideas on what I can do? I'm a disabled man, and very broke, any help would be greatly apprieciated.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
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I would try a flasher unit at first, there is a separate one for turn signals. It is tucked up under the dash, near the steering column. When they are working, you may be able to locate it by noise. If you need to use process of elimination, turn on the hazards and identify that flasher. You can swap them for diagnostic purposes.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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Thanks so much for replying to my question! You know, now that you mention that flasher, it seems it used to be "louder" than it is now? I just assumed that since the flashers always worked, it was not that. I didnt know there were two. So you say the one for emergency flashers is the same and I can swap them just to see if that is the problem?
Thanks again, if this works you will have done a good deed for a man who has had the worse year of his life!
Jack
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
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I was going to try swapping flashers as you recommended, but I notice the Hazard flasher makes no sound when it blinks, and another thing I noticed is this, ok say they aren't working or stop working, "Sometimes" if I leave the blinker on, and turn the steering wheel back and forth, they will start working again. Which makes me think it may be a short, or bad turn signal switch insite the steering coloumn or something. I will try to buy a new flasher, but if its inside the wheel, is that a big deal to take the wheel off and replace the switch? I see a new Delso switch online is only 52 dollars. I'm just really afraid to try and remove the steering wheel what with the airbag and all.
Thanks in advance, Jack
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
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It is not too big a deal. You can pull the airbag(sir) fuse, it is either underhood or in rear fuse panel. That disables the system. Then you need a puller to remove the wheel, and a lock plate puller. Threading the harness down the column can also be a task.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSMUSICIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
You know, it had been dry and dusty for quite some time around here, (I live a very short way down a gravel road) and I've noticed this past week has been rainy, and the dang turn signals havent quit once, (Hope I didnt jinx myself) I just wonder if a fellow sprayed some WD40 or some type of lubricant into the area where the turn signal stick sticks out, if that might just fix it. Just a thought, it just seems funny that now they havent failed me since the wetness humidity has came, and when it was a dustbowl they quit all the time. Even if I had the money to take it to a shop, they would think I was nuts if the signals didnt stop at alll. I dont think I'd be able to pull that wheel myself, as I dont have those tools you mentioned. I remember pulling one on my old Firebird Formula as it had a screw that would come off and lock the steering wheel up. Ha ha. But this one is alot more complex. Thanks again, Jack
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
I would forgo the spraying of anything in there, chances are you would not get it where you wanted it anyway. The turn signal stalk actually goes into the wiper switch, and the turn signal switch is remotely actuated by a lever. I would just continue with the operation and see if the failure returns.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSMUSICIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
I got to looking around there, and felt that flasher while they were working, it was just hanging through this little hole, and I was trying to see if it was maybe loose on the wire, but it slipped up through there, and now I can't feel it, I suppose this plastic plate needs to come off to access it again, as of now, they work around 95% of the time, one just never knows when they will stop, its really annoying. Thanks a million for your replies. Jcka
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSMUSICIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Hi Gstacey,
I did what you suggested, and bout a new flasher and installed it, the pain was BAD getting my crippled but up under there, but I made it. Well low and behold, they were fixed for a whole 9 days! No problems, I was so happy. Well, my bubble got bursted yesterday when they totally stopped working. Its been nice around here, so once again I got that plate off, and Tryed unplugging it and plugging it back in etc, no help. Then I drove it home using hand signals, approx 10 miles, and I hadn't put the plate back on yet, goofin tg with the wired, I flicked the new flasher with my finger, and they started working again. I think you are definately on the right track. I wish I could donate, but my wife of 27 years left me high and dry earlier this year for a younger model as I had told you, and I am barely making it. I gave you most of my points, but I still have a few left, I'll give you those as well for any more ideas. I'm not sure if its the flasher or the wire going to the flasher, Also, I notice now, the other flashers, the emergency ones, with a total different kind of started acting weird too, (its round and metal) the turn signal is square and plastic, anyway, it acts funny as I've been using it with my hand turn signals, as it's so dangerous in St Louis traffic without signals. Any more help would be greatly apprieciated, God Bless you, Jack
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)

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