Need electrical help please
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 8
From: Denham Springs LA
Need electrical help please
I am chasing electrical gremlins and need some assistance on my '01 Coupe. My brake lights were not working (only the 3rd brake light was working), and occasionally I had to manipulate the hazard switch to make the turn signals work. After some research on the forum, I decided to replace the hazard switch in the dash (since the brake light function goes through this switch, and sometimes this switch had to be manipulated to make the turn signals work.
I used the very detailed instructions that someone was kind enough to post to replace the hazard switch through the radio location. In this process, I had to forcibly punch the old switch out using a screwdriver and a small hammer. During this process, I think I shorted something out. After installing the new hazard switch, I have brake lights, but the hazard flashers and turn signals do not work. I checked the fuses and all seem to be OK. Is there another relay, fuse, switch or anything else that I can check to get the turn signals to work? Please advise.
I used the very detailed instructions that someone was kind enough to post to replace the hazard switch through the radio location. In this process, I had to forcibly punch the old switch out using a screwdriver and a small hammer. During this process, I think I shorted something out. After installing the new hazard switch, I have brake lights, but the hazard flashers and turn signals do not work. I checked the fuses and all seem to be OK. Is there another relay, fuse, switch or anything else that I can check to get the turn signals to work? Please advise.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 8
From: Denham Springs LA
I replaced that one (fuse#15) even though it did not appear to be blown, still no luck. It is a very strange phenomenon, when I press the brake pedal, the brake lights work fine, if I push the hazard switch, they go out. Also, with the brake lights on (pedal depressed), when I move the turn signal, the brake lights go out on that side, and come back on when the turn signal switch is in the neutral position. I must have screwed something up in the process of changing the hazard switch, but I am not sure what?? What activates the blinker/flasher function, a relay or a computer?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 8
From: Denham Springs LA
I checked the DIC for codes against the BCM Body Control Module, and there are no codes. I don't know if the BCM controls the turn signal/hazard function or not, but hopefully I did not fry it. All other BCM functions are OK and no codes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 13
From: Kinston North Carolina
It's hard to tell how the electronic flasher inside the hazard switch works so this is speculating on my part, ok? Use a voltmeter and check for 12V at both the pink and orange wires on both sides of C215 (hazard switch connector) (ignition switch on). If 12V present, pull fuses 8 and 15 (to protect meter) (ign sw off), and use ohm meter to check for good ground on the black wire, on both sides of C215.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Sounds like a grounding issue to me (or it could yet be a bad T/S switch). Just a thought, did you damage any wiring or a connector when you used the "percussion technique" on the old switch? If anything is shorting out that may explain the weird behavior
I think I'd recheck wiring and connectors, clean and reseat everything before I replaced the T/S.
Heres the wiring diagram to help you troubleshoot
I think I'd recheck wiring and connectors, clean and reseat everything before I replaced the T/S.
Heres the wiring diagram to help you troubleshoot
Last edited by DeeGee; Dec 27, 2008 at 03:27 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 8
From: Denham Springs LA
Thanks guys, still fighting this issue. When I replaced the hazard switch, the old switch would work the hazard/turn signals, but after replacement I have brake lights but no hazard/turn signals. I did bang it hard when I removed the old switch, so I was thinking that I may have shorted something somewhere else. All contacts are good and fuses good, brake lights good, just no turn signals or hazards. Could I have shorted something in the multifunction switch?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Manning SC
Sounds like a grounding issue to me (or it could yet be a bad T/S switch). Just a thought, did you damage any wiring or a connector when you used the "percussion technique" on the old switch? If anything is shorting out that may explain the weird behavior
I think I'd recheck wiring and connectors, clean and reseat everything before I replaced the T/S.
Heres the wiring diagram to help you troubleshoot
I think I'd recheck wiring and connectors, clean and reseat everything before I replaced the T/S.
Heres the wiring diagram to help you troubleshoot
Agree although I'm still trying to learn to deal with electrical issues myself. See the sticky by Bill Curlee for C5. Great info and will show you the grounds for the entire car.
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