Balky turn signals
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Folsom California
Balky turn signals
My turn signals work about 50% of the time. Sometimes they do not react at all and at other times they are fine. Is there a flasher relay that I can replace? If so, where is it? Thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Chances are it's a turn switch that's going bad. Its a common problem.
Try some electrical cleaner squirted in there first. It's been known to work by cleaning up the contacts. In your case as they work half the time it may fix it.
If that doesn't work try to identify whether its the T/S switch or the hazard switch. Both could be the problem. Recycle each quite vigorously to see if you can clear the fault.
If you work out that it's the T/S, you could first try strip and clean:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1559072081
If you decide to go for a switch change, here's a good write up:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2032925
Failing that it could be the hazard switch as the T/S function routes through there. Here's a write up for changing that:
http://myweb.cableone.net/kd5fx/HSwitch/HSwitch.htm
Theres a hazard switch bypass that the LED guys use which can also solve the problem if the hazard switch is bad.
Hope you fix the problem
Try some electrical cleaner squirted in there first. It's been known to work by cleaning up the contacts. In your case as they work half the time it may fix it.
If that doesn't work try to identify whether its the T/S switch or the hazard switch. Both could be the problem. Recycle each quite vigorously to see if you can clear the fault.
If you work out that it's the T/S, you could first try strip and clean:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1559072081
If you decide to go for a switch change, here's a good write up:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2032925
Failing that it could be the hazard switch as the T/S function routes through there. Here's a write up for changing that:
http://myweb.cableone.net/kd5fx/HSwitch/HSwitch.htm
Theres a hazard switch bypass that the LED guys use which can also solve the problem if the hazard switch is bad.
Hope you fix the problem
Last edited by DeeGee; Apr 4, 2009 at 02:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
The hazard switch is your flasher switch and it needs to be replaced. They all seem to fail on C5's eventually. Not sure if the flasher bypass that Richard sells at Corvette Enhancements will solve this problem, but if it does, it's a lot cheaper and easier than replacing the hazard switch. 
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Contrary to popular belief, the hazard switch only switches power. The turn signal wiring does not pass through the hazard switch after the turn signal switch.
The wiring goes like this;
constant/key power contacts -> flasher circuit -> turn signal switch -> lights
The flasher is connected to key power normally but switches to constant power when you press the button. So, the most likely culprits are that switch or flasher circuit (all in the hazard switch) or the turn signal switch in the column.
Here's the DIY flasher bypass. It would be cheap to try it and see if the problem goes away. No effect on the hazards - if they work they still will but if they're broken they stay broken.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569256474-post64.html
Peter
The wiring goes like this;
constant/key power contacts -> flasher circuit -> turn signal switch -> lights
The flasher is connected to key power normally but switches to constant power when you press the button. So, the most likely culprits are that switch or flasher circuit (all in the hazard switch) or the turn signal switch in the column.
Here's the DIY flasher bypass. It would be cheap to try it and see if the problem goes away. No effect on the hazards - if they work they still will but if they're broken they stay broken.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569256474-post64.html
Peter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Here's the DIY flasher bypass. It would be cheap to try it and see if the problem goes away. No effect on the hazards - if they work they still will but if they're broken they stay broken.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1569256474-post64.html
Peter
For the OP, heres what goes on inside the two switches:
Last edited by DeeGee; Apr 5, 2009 at 02:01 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 3
From: Iowa City Iowa
