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1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Really frusterating Turn signal Pro

Tiny
BINX0101
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
Electrical problem
1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Recently both turn signals started to stay solid and not flash. However by pushing my hazard switch they do flash. Ive replaced every signal and brake bulb and the thermal flasher but yet they still stay solid when I try to use them.

I traced the wires from lights to fuse panel and nothing had a bad connection or has become unsoldered.

Can anyone help? Id be very appreciative.
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 AT 12:58 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Do both front and rear turn bulbs light up? And flasher was in fuse box that was replaced? Did this start with one side or blinking slow?
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
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Yes all of the bulbs light up when they are supposed to, and the thermal flasher was in place and it is the correct one but they just wont flash. Hazard button still makes them flash though.

And no both sides started staying solid at the same time.
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Friday, June 12th, 2009 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Try this go to battery there is one larger wire on negative term to engine block. And another black wire to body/frame remove and clean that connection.
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Friday, June 12th, 2009 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
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Ok I did that. Still same problem.
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Sunday, June 14th, 2009 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Flasher has a bi-metalic strip that when enough amps pass through it it bends breaking connection thus flash. So somehow two lights for turn is not drawing enough amps but all 4 in flasher mode is enough. The onlt time I have seen this is when incorrct bulb is used ie. To low wattage. But that is not the case here so I'm stumped. This started sudenly? Are bulbs as bright as they have been? Are turn brake bulbs 1157?
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Monday, June 15th, 2009 AT 2:36 PM
Tiny
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Yes all the bulbs are correct, as well as the flasher. Im going to try splicing my side indicator lights into my brake lights on both sides hoping it will increase the amperage making a flash. If it works ill let you know but any suggestions would be insanely appreciated. Ive allready spent 50 bucks in bulbs and fuses and flashers trying to fix this.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2009 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
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Increasing amp draw should work but what went haywire
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Sunday, June 21st, 2009 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
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Ok I tried wiring TWO extra side indicator bulbs to the flash circuit on one side and still nothing. My guess after adding two more lamps and still no flash would be something has to be bypassing the flasher when I engage the turn signal lever. If I take my voltmeter between the contacts of the flasher when I engage my turn signals what should I be reading? Same thing with amperage. Do you know what that should be?
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Sunday, June 21st, 2009 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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The flasher you replaced was it in fuse box or convenience center. Your car has a flasher for turns and another for hazards.
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
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I changed the one in the fuse panel. I didn't know there was another one. Where is this one located? What model number should it be?
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 2:12 PM
Tiny
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Nope you changed the right one. Give me some background on how, when this happened. Was any repairs done prior? Did it just one day happen? Does flasher have info on it like amps, watts heavy duty
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
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It happened like this.

The top brake bulb in the left rear burned out and blew a fuse along with it (making the indicator lights stay solid on both sides). After replacing the fuse and the bulb the lights still stayed solid. I bought a new flasher (552) and that didn't fix the problem. I traced all the wires that were easily accessible including the grounds and everything looks just fine.

Ive looked online about a lot of similar problems and people say it could possibly be the turn signal lever?
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
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Yes that would be my thought also If internal resistence high in switch contacts then voltage would drop to lights and amps. Check voltage at light? If less than 12V then switch.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
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All of the lights get 12 volts. I dont wanna start pulling the steering column apart unless its certain that the lever is the problem though. But it seems like ive done everything else I can allready.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
PISTOLLIANONE
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Might I add my experience. I had turn signal troubles but it was mostly that I had to wiggle the signal in order to get the signal to flash, finally my brake lights went out and I had to wiggle the turn signal again in order for those to work. So, down the steering column I went to change out the turn module. It's a lot easier than you may think and for me, it cured my issues. If you need help with the module change, give me a shout. I hope this helped, even in a small way.
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Friday, October 2nd, 2009 AT 10:17 PM

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