I have a 2000 Chevy Malibu, and a few days ago I noticed while driving that my turn signals stopped working. At first it was working as normal, then suddently it stopped mid-drive...what exactly could it be? Is it worth taking to a mechanic who is going to screw me over or is it a simple part I can buy and replace myself?
2007-07-19 11:44:29 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Because it is intermittant, it is unlikely to be a fuse or a blown bulb.
This would seem to indicate a faulty connection or a bad earth (ground).
If you don't have the skills to trace the fault, you should take it to the shop.
It should not be mega expensive!
2007-07-19 11:50:43 · answer #1 · answered by Nick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A wee bit more info-does the signal stop all together or does irt suddenlt start to blink very fast/ very fast usually indicates a bad bulb-stopping altogether could be any one of several things-the most common being a bad "Multifunction' switch-the turn signal/hazard switch/high beam switch assembly.
One of the first things I do as an auto tech is to play with the hazard switch while attempting to get one or the other of the turn signals to work (if they stop working all together)
Sometimes you need to hold the hazard switch partway up or down to duplicate the problem, or verify that it is the culprit
If i IS the multifunction switch-best left ot a professional-you wouldn't want ot blow the airbags trying to save a few clams.
Just look for a sgop that employs ASE -certified technicians and belongs to the area better business bureau-and check their record before trying them.
2007-07-19 18:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by ruskinflgator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the problem is a bulb go ahead and replace the bulb. It probably says how in your owner's manual. If its in the switch or anything having to do w/the steering wheel or collum and you have an airbag, LEAVE IT ALONE! Do not mess around in that area. Take it to a mechanic so, the air bag doesn't accidently go off in your face! Plus, even if you don't have 1 (or 2) and the signal switch is in the steering collum you probably will need a steering wheel puller and who knows what else.
2007-07-19 19:41:12 · answer #3 · answered by Paul E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be as simple as a relay. Those are usually under $50 and are a snap to swap out. You need to look in your handbook under fuse box. Modern cars mar have 2 or 3 of them; some located under the dash near the drivers feet, and some in compartments under the hood. Check the fuses and the relay first. You can see if a fuse is bad. The relay may take a little work. Take it out and shake it...if it rattle its bad. But if it doesn't take it to an auto parts place, they should be able to check it out for ya.
Good Luck,
2007-07-19 18:52:35 · answer #4 · answered by boscatman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this problem with my brakes. It was the light bulb, even though it looked fine, it wasn't. The bad bulb actually caused the fuse to blow so you might have to replace the fuse after replacing the bulb. You can find out which one is bad by replacing the fuse and leaving only one of the bulbs in, but this will cause the fuse to blow if you leave the bad bulb in first while testing so you might just want to replace both bulbs and the fuse and have it done with. This will take you about 10 minutes.
2007-07-19 19:47:46 · answer #5 · answered by Sexy Ray 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be the wiring or a loose fuse. check your owner's manual and the part about the fuses and fuse box. once you find that, look around for a fuse called somthing like "blinker" or somthing to that effect. remove it, and plug it back in, it might have came loose. or, it could be a loose wire, which you may need to bring to a mechanic. somthing is loose, not broken, if it happens some of the times. if it stoppped working all together, most likly a fuse, in which case just find one of the same size and replace it-the fuses blow to prevent serious damage to wiring when too much electricity is placed on them, so they blow every once in a while, interrupting the electrical flow. if it's not the fuses, then your going to have to go to a mechanic most likely.
2007-07-19 18:50:23 · answer #6 · answered by paintballer6575 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not worth taking it to a mechanic. It could be as easy as a fuse or a bulb going bad. Take it to Advance Auto and let them test it for free.
2007-07-19 18:50:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The next time it is not working, if you can pull over and look at all the lights. You may have a bad bulb, or a bad ground to the bulb.
It is also possible that the flasher is going bad. This is a part that you can buy and plug in yourself.
good luck.
2007-07-19 18:50:50 · answer #8 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be a fuse.. Try making sure the fuses are all in there tightly. If that don't work, you should take it to a mechanic just-in-case it is a short or something in the wires.
2007-07-19 18:49:21 · answer #9 · answered by John 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
before you take the car to a mechanic, just change the bulb. that is the most common problem for indicator lights. while replacing bulb, also make sure the contacts are not rusted.
2007-07-19 21:56:01 · answer #10 · answered by Ksyrium 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋