Turn signal flashes rapidly - Flasher?

Tiny
MINNIE HERNANDEZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 183,578 MILES
Replaced left rear turn signal bulb but it still flashes rapidly even aftet replaced. What is causing this?
Thursday, June 1st, 2017 AT 8:48 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,727 POSTS
The flasher is not "seeing" the correct number of bulbs. Check if the front signal is working. Also, compare the left and right rear signals. Some cars use two bulbs in each rear corner.

Also observe if the left rear signal light flashes the same way when the tail lights are turned on. If the signal changes in any way, suspect a broken ground wire for that socket.
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Thursday, June 1st, 2017 AT 1:21 PM
Tiny
CHEVMAZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Electrical problem
2005 Chevy Cavalier 24000 miles

In my 2005 Chev Cavalier the hazard lamps and clicker work okay. However, the turn signal lamps and clicker work for a short while and then the turn signal fuse blows. The hazard bulbs and turn signal bulbs are the same I believe. Could this be anything other than a turn signal switch problem?
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Both turn and hazard use the same wiring so that's out the only thing left would be the switch. Do they blink at the smae rate before trouble? Check the connector to switch see if any discoloration due to heat maybe loose connection causing high amp draw.
Let me know
Thanks for donate
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CALINDRA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My fiance is a mechanic, I have a cavalier as well, and I agree with the above answer, its the "switch". I had the same issue, and originally that why I thought the brights in my vehicle were not working. But odds are in your case. Its the "Switch".
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVMAZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Although I told the service writer at the Chevrolet dealership that my turn signals did not blow out fuse sitting in driveway, but only when car was driven, the mechanic at first told me that they corrected my problem by changing the fuse.

I had not noticed that my backup lamps are on same circuit as the turn signals.

Apparently a backup "combination bulb and alarm" (the likes of which I have installed on my cars for many years) was drawing too much amerage and blowing the fuse. They charged me an unconscionable $83 to diagnose and change the bulb back to a standard type.

Then they told me that transmission fluid was leaking at the half-shaft connection. What little oil/grease I saw there was not red and was not dripping. They insisted it was a serious matter they could correct for about $400 (or only $360 if they did the work right then), otherwise I might suddenly lose all my transmission fluid and totally wreck my transmission. I declined that service. And I'll not be returning to that dealer ever again.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THREECHORD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Electrical problem
1998 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

I have no turn signals or flashers, I have tried all the fuses, I have changed the bulbs, I tried two different multifuntional switches and still no luck I can't see any broken wires is it possible that it is a clock spring
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Did you check the flashers
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
THREECHORD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The flashers and turn signals are all in the same switch and I have checked both fuses.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
I understand that but did you replace the flasher to see if that was your problem
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKHENDERSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • CHEVROLET CAVALIER
2000 Cavalier, 196000 KM, 2.2 L I think, standard trans.
My turn signals work only intermittently but the hazards work fine. It seems it could be the "flasher" unit. I was told it was probably under the dash and to follow the sound of the clicking when the flashers were on and I found the unit. It has two wires going into it (red and black) and doesn't look like the replacement unit but I can't see how I can remove it. Are there any diagrams on replaying the flasher?

Its strange that its not mentioned in the Maynes manual that I can find.

Any help would be appreciated.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AMNORTO
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
I've got a similar problem with my chevy and myne is the the turn signal switch itself. Does the signal blink fast when or normal when switching it left or right?
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKHENDERSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No it didn't go any faster.
I took it to a Speedy after I bought the flasher relay and said "I have a blinker problem, it might be the flasher." And they took an hour of work, said it was the signal switch, charged me $130 for the part and when I drove off the lot the signal was worse than before.

I took it back today, they refunded my money from the last operation, took back their switch and put my old one back, then installed the flasher. Works fine now, though the "click" is a bit louder. They say they "misdiagnosed" the problem and only charged me half hour labour to install the flasher.

Stupid heads.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SEVEPPA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
For a couple of weeks my left turn arrow would come on whenever I turned on the lights and when I would use the signal, it would blink more rapidly then normal but it was still working. Yesterday, while waiting at a light to turn left with the signal on, it began making a weird noise, like a grinding hum. The signal doesn't work at all. The noise occurs whenever I use the left turn signal, not at all when I use the right. AND, the noise is not there when I have the lights turned on; the signal still doesn't work but the noise goes away when I turn on the lights. Where should I start with this? I am totally clueless!
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVEPOWELL81
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You need to have your bulbs in the rear checked and replaced. When it blinks fast, that means a bulb on that side is blown out. I could explain the rest, but it is just easier to let you know that you have a blown out bulb(s) on whichever side is flashing fast. Have someone check all the bulbs with you and replace the bad one(s).

This guide will help

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,833 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a turn signal/hazard flasher that has gone out. I would start by replacing it here is its location.

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:54 AM (Merged)

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