Directional signal rapidly blinking

Tiny
TODD KIVA CB
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  • 2002 CHEVROLET 1500
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 188,000 MILES
Usually a rapidly blinking blinker means a bad bulb. Changed all the bulbs (2057) on Both sides no change in the problem (right side). Then changed out the entire harness, no change. One commonalty with both harnesses is that the directional bulb burns dim and brake bulb burns bright and when rapidly blinking, tail light directional is very dim. When headlights are on and the brake is depressed, the secondary filament does not go on but when headlights are off, all lights come on when brake is depressed. Cleaned the right side ground up by the tail light. Changed the front directional bulbs as well 2057A. Yes, there is a short somewhere, but where do you start? Especially seeing it is an express van 1500 that has an Emabassy conversion package.
Friday, May 25th, 2018 AT 9:30 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
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Hello,

I have seen this problem before I would check all fuses for the BCM. Here is a guide and the locations:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Sunday, May 27th, 2018 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
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Thank you for your response. So was the outcome of this problem that you have seen before? Thank you. I will check out the fuses all the way around. As mentioned this is a "conversion van" we are talking about.
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Monday, May 28th, 2018 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, I have seen this problem it was two fuses blown on the BCM.
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
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If a fuse is blown would the electronics downstream of the fuse not be working? Am I missing something?
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 AT 10:11 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Hmm my bad, this car does not look like it has a BCM controlling the lights. Here is a wiring diagram so you can see how the system works. Use this guide to check power and grounds.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/turn-signals-not-working-blinker

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
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I do not see where they cyclops brake light center read above tailgate doors, hooks into here. Do you?
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 AT 11:09 AM
Tiny
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Update: Did in fact find a fuse box under the hood. All fuses check out okay with the ignition on and off. Checked the fuse box inside under the dash all but #8 labeled "crank" and number 15 labeled "Illum" both 10A fuses, worked fine switched them out to new fuses, still nothing. Tried all again with both the ignition on and off. No luck.

Another problem I have which I do not know if it is associated or not. My service engine light is on, Said both downstream O2 sensors needed replacement. Changed both of them out, Check engine light came back on. Diagnostic says no activity in left sensor. I am assuming it is not getting any power to it. I would not even know where to start with that. Also, when I shift from park to neutral, the voltage meter does a quick spike and again after driving for a second or two. I have hobgoblins. But still no solution to the initial problem. Right side directional problem as stated. Wondering if everything is tied in?
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Tuesday, May 29th, 2018 AT 3:55 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Please post your new question here. Please continue with the original problem though.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
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Ken. The question posed was, can all the electrical problems be tied together somehow with a common problem or short?
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Wednesday, May 30th, 2018 AT 8:36 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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No there are not related. Any luck on the blinker issue? Yes, the high mounted center brake light is in the first diagram. Please check wiring and connections. You installed a new flasher correct?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, May 31st, 2018 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
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No, did not replace the flasher because the hazards work fine and the center brake light works with no problems either. So if it is not broke, do not fix it. So if all the different electrical problems do not have a common source then I have to go back to the blinker issue and the fact that the entire tail light harness was replaced and the common problem with the two harnesses is of one bulb in the harness burning bright, one burning dim and a rapidly blinking directional. All new bulbs. Grounds cleaned. I have resolved to pulling the panels in the interior and tracing the conduit back to the source looking for something exposed heading towards the power source. Unless there is some sort of junction box I can go directly to. Do you not just love electrical problems. It is the principal of it all to me now, lol.
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Thursday, May 31st, 2018 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Lol, yes, resistance is what is making it blink fast must be a corroded connection or something somewhere.
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Friday, June 1st, 2018 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
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Yes, this I know, but where do you start? Is there a diagram that actually shows where on the vehicle the harness conduit is run on the body?
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Saturday, June 2nd, 2018 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You must test resistance through the circuits that run the right side. I would start at the switch because the contacts can go bad causing the high resistance.
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Sunday, June 3rd, 2018 AT 11:31 AM
Tiny
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What "switch" do you specifically speak of? So I noticed today. I have the same bright bulb/dim bulb happening in the front directional/running light. So identical problems in both the rear tail light and front directional, both right side.
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Monday, June 4th, 2018 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes and the only thing that connects those two together is the switch. Can you try to move the hazard switch back and forth like five times, this can sometimes clean the contacts.
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Monday, June 4th, 2018 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
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Are you speaking of the hazard light switch located on the top of the steering column that turns the hazard light on and off?
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Monday, June 4th, 2018 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes.
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Tuesday, June 5th, 2018 AT 9:26 AM

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