Left front turn signal not working
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
Left front turn signal not working
Hello everyone, I have a new to me 2001 C5. Here is the problem I am having and what I have done and tested. I hope someone can give me some insight on what to do next.
When I bought the car the left front turn signal was not working. I pulled the bulb socket and it was burned and corroded so I replaced it. That fixed the issue for a few weeks and now its not working again.
I have tested the ground, and its good.
I tested the bulb and socket and both are good.
Right turn signal works fine.
Left rear turn signal works, just not the front.
Tested for voltage on the hot wire for the turn signal at the wire just before the bulb and obviously its not getting voltage.
I have been doing some research and trying to learn to read electrical diagrams, but I am not that good at it yet.
Any insight on what I should try next before I get deeper into chasing wires?
Thank you!
When I bought the car the left front turn signal was not working. I pulled the bulb socket and it was burned and corroded so I replaced it. That fixed the issue for a few weeks and now its not working again.
I have tested the ground, and its good.
I tested the bulb and socket and both are good.
Right turn signal works fine.
Left rear turn signal works, just not the front.
Tested for voltage on the hot wire for the turn signal at the wire just before the bulb and obviously its not getting voltage.
I have been doing some research and trying to learn to read electrical diagrams, but I am not that good at it yet.
Any insight on what I should try next before I get deeper into chasing wires?
Thank you!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Welcome to C5 ownership and the insanity of fixing eclectically stuff on these cars Sometimes bulbs are defective. Try replacing it. Another thought is to pull the fuse for the running lights. I was burning out bulbs every 6 months. Pulled the running lights fuse and so far no further bulb burn out. My SWAG, the heat from the running lights on was the cause of the bulb failure.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
Thank you for the quick reply. The bulb is good; I tested it. It will light when 12 volts are applied.
I will pull the running light fuse for going forward, but I dont believe it will solve my current problem.
Any other suggestions? I guess I need to figure out where the next wiring junction is and see if I'm getting 12 volts there.
I will pull the running light fuse for going forward, but I dont believe it will solve my current problem.
Any other suggestions? I guess I need to figure out where the next wiring junction is and see if I'm getting 12 volts there.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,297
Likes: 24,776
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,769
Likes: 483
From: Douglas County WI
Had the same problem. Turned out the bulb socket wasn't properly seated into the housing. Must have had something to do with proper ground. When the turn signal was activated, the indicator on the dash went into hyper flash. Does yours do that?
Last edited by glbeauchamp; May 6, 2024 at 09:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
I tested for voltage on the turn signal wire and its not getting any voltage when the command is given for it to flash. I OHM'd the ground and its good. The Running light works, so I know the ground is good. I guess I will have to back track the wiring and see if it is bad somewhere.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,769
Likes: 483
From: Douglas County WI
Yes, mine does that. I think that is to let you know a bulb is not working.
I tested for voltage on the turn signal wire and its not getting any voltage when the command is given for it to flash. I OHM'd the ground and its good. The Running light works, so I know the ground is good. I guess I will have to back track the wiring and see if it is bad somewhere.
I tested for voltage on the turn signal wire and its not getting any voltage when the command is given for it to flash. I OHM'd the ground and its good. The Running light works, so I know the ground is good. I guess I will have to back track the wiring and see if it is bad somewhere.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
This is a situation where a test light is helpful. "OHM"ing a ground only tells you the resistance. Your resistance can be zero but shoot up when the circuit is under load. A test light loads the circuit the same as normal and if there is a poor ground it may light very dimly or conversely will be very bright if all is well.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
This is a situation where a test light is helpful. "OHM"ing a ground only tells you the resistance. Your resistance can be zero but shoot up when the circuit is under load. A test light loads the circuit the same as normal and if there is a poor ground it may light very dimly or conversely will be very bright if all is well.
I guess I need to find where the suspect wire's next junction point is and send 12 volts to it to see if the light works. What do you think?
It's amazing what simple things can go wrong with General Motors/Corvettes. I never expected to be troubleshooting a turn signal. I have owned many vehicles and still own too many, and this is the first time I have had to chase down wiring on a turn signal. But when I drive it, its all worth it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
When your electric turn/brake signals fail, here is a refresher course on using the alternative just in case you forgot dthe old school techniques.
Basic Driver Hand Signals
Basic Driver Hand Signals
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,594
Likes: 4,055
From: Cape Coral, Florida
This is a situation where a test light is helpful. "OHM"ing a ground only tells you the resistance. Your resistance can be zero but shoot up when the circuit is under load. A test light loads the circuit the same as normal and if there is a poor ground it may light very dimly or conversely will be very bright if all is well.
Yeah !!…someone who understands loaded circuit testing !!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
Do you have the wiring diagrams? If not, you can probably find them in the downloadable service manual thread sticky post. I think it's in the C5 General area.
Or I can take pictures of them from my 2000 service manual but they may not apply to your car.
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,594
Likes: 4,055
From: Cape Coral, Florida
I'm not sure I follow you. If the driving light will work, to me the ground is good because the turn signal uses the same ground.
I guess I need to find where the suspect wire's next junction point is and send 12 volts to it to see if the light works. What do you think?
It's amazing what simple things can go wrong with General Motors/Corvettes. I never expected to be troubleshooting a turn signal. I have owned many vehicles and still own too many, and this is the first time I have had to chase down wiring on a turn signal. But when I drive it, its all worth it!
I guess I need to find where the suspect wire's next junction point is and send 12 volts to it to see if the light works. What do you think?
It's amazing what simple things can go wrong with General Motors/Corvettes. I never expected to be troubleshooting a turn signal. I have owned many vehicles and still own too many, and this is the first time I have had to chase down wiring on a turn signal. But when I drive it, its all worth it!
Wiring diagram for a 2001.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
When your electric turn/brake signals fail, here is a refresher course on using the alternative just in case you forgot dthe old school techniques.
Basic Driver Hand Signals
Basic Driver Hand Signals
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15,594
Likes: 4,055
From: Cape Coral, Florida
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,371
Likes: 3,384
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It's amazing what simple things can go wrong with General Motors/Corvettes. I never expected to be troubleshooting a turn signal. I have owned many vehicles and still own too many, and this is the first time I have had to chase down wiring on a turn signal. But when I drive it, its all worth it!
