Hey all, I just got a 2000 Z51 Vette, my 3rd, and just wanted to thank the forum for all the insight on vettes.

I'm having a problem with the blinkers. From inside it looks like they're flashing way too quickly. Outside, the rears flash ok - maybe a little fast and the fronts light up, but do not flash at all! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Sounds like you have a bulb out up front. When checking them, do you have your parking lights on also?

 

If I remember right I think it is the blinker relay box. I think they are only a few dollars at autozone. It is the little box that actually makes the clicking noise, when it is going out it will blink too fast. You can even choose which speed you want.

John

 

Thanks C4Cvette - yes I had the parking lights on and they work OK - just the blinking part is not happening.

 

Thanks John, does that blinker relay box plug into the fuse box area?

 

The fast flash tells you a bulb is not working. It looks like you may have two bad bulbs in the front. I think what you have is good DRLs but dead turn signals. The DRL/turn signal bulbs are dual filament for each function (T/S and DRL) so its possible for one circuit to be working but the other function failed.

Before pulling the car apart you can check. Pull the A2 fuse in the engine compartment fuse block. That disables the DRLs. If the front lamps now go out its both the T/S elements that have failed.

If thats the issue, you'll get three suggestions on how to change the bulbs.

Go in through the brake ducts - not easy with a Z06 or if you have screens

Go in through the bottom by taking out the bottom panel



The one that works for me is:

Turn on the headlights and back off one position to kill the lights.
Unscrew the 3 small screws on the black plastic housing around the headlight. Gently pull the housing clear. Reach down around the headlight unit and release the bulb holder. It unscrews counter clockwise but it has a plastic clip which you need to squeeze to release it. Here’s how the bulb fits into the lamp unit. The DRL bulb is the lower of the two.



Here’s the light socket. This one’s after market but it gives you the idea. You can see the clip you need to squeeze.



Change the bulb. Reseat the bulb holder and turn until it clicks back in place. Put the plastic housing back in place making sure to locate the small plastic tab in the bracket on the headlamp cover. Replace the 3 screws and close the lights.

10 minute job. Some guys have had the lights close if they’ve taken a while to do the fix. If you’re worried about that, disconnect the battery once the lights are up.

The bulb is a 4157NA

Some guys with big arms remove the hood adjusting screw for better access. Guys with even bigger arms have had to take off the headlight cover. Four torx screws (2 back, 1 each side). Take the back ones off first with the lamps down. Raise the lights and take the side ones out.

 

Thanks C4C, John & DeeGee. I went in thru the front brake vents. It was a tight squeeze on my hand and wrist and I almost panicked trying to get my hand back out - but the bulb was right there so all's good. The passenger side bulb seemed OK - no filament breakage but it was dirty so I will replace it. The driver side bulb - shorter filament which must be the T/S component - is broken. Funny thing is both bulbs were 3157NA. My owners manual, page 6-73 says the replacement bulb for "Rear Stop/Tail and Turn Signal" is 3057. I went out and bought some 3157NA and 4157NA . Which should I use?

All the Best!

 

Either will work fine

 

Most cool! Thanks again. I went with the 4157NA-LL Kryptons - this is not something I want to do very often! BTW - not to get gross, but a little petroleum jelly on the wrist and base of the thumb helps get the hand back out!

Happy Fathers Day to all! I got Blinkers!!!

 

BTW, one nice benefit of accessing the TS/DRL bulbs trough the brake vents is that they are so closeby that when unplugged, they can just hang outside the brake vents, so it's real easy to switch bulbs and you can test the blinkers before plugging them back in.

 

Man I love this forum... change mine in 3 mins most of that was boot up time for my pc to search this board!