Leo090 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 Hi, I have a 97 Chevy Lumina 3.1 V6 with 80K. I have a weird issue , perhaps someone can assist. My brake lights work fine up until I turn on either my left/right turn signal. Then only that side (Left signal, left side) will flash and the other brake light is off , even if brakes are applied. The brake light in my rear windshield works when the brake is applied no matter what. It is just my lights above my bumper, on either side of the trunk that have this issue. I do not want to be pulled over for this. After I turn the signal off, then my brake lights will resume working normally, until the next time i turn on a turn signal. The turn signal sounds normal from inside( It does not tick faster as though i have a bad lamp) Can anyone suggest the next steps I should take in remeding this problem??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 sounds like turn signal switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted November 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 My left turn signal spring broke, so I have to manually unlock my left turn signal. (Could this be a sign of it all going bad) I really would like to avoid taking my steering wheel off. Can I check fuses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95 vert Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 sounds like turn signal switch. x2 Needs a turn signal switch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2k2cse Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 My left turn signal spring broke, so I have to manually unlock my left turn signal. (Could this be a sign of it all going bad) I really would like to avoid taking my steering wheel off. Can I check fuses? I don't think you'd have to take the steering wheel off (I may be wrong) for this. You should be able to just take the plastic off. Its been a while since I've been in a lumina, so I'm not positive about how it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMP Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 x2 Needs a turn signal switch X3 My 97 light would work if i wiggled the turn signal, and only the third brake light worked and my uncle had a monte that did the same, just replace the switch and its all good. The tail light wiring runs threw the turn signal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted November 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Ugh, thats atleast a 2 hour labor charge, and a 100$ part. I hate chevys @ 2K2CSE, ye you do need to take off the steering wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted November 15, 2011 Report Share Posted November 15, 2011 Alldata is saying its a 1.4 hour job, pull the steering wheel and a couple bolts and its off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted November 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 I wish it was that easy, the manual I found online has over 25 steps including removing the airbag, pulling the wheel, then removing layers of different switches. I really do not want to get stuck somewhere in the middle of the repair, and be left without a method of transport. I will just wait till I get pulled over for a failing tail light, then Ill go to a trusted mechanic of mine and dish out the cash for this. Thank you all for your help in narrowing down the cause of this issue! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMP Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 I wish it was that easy, the manual I found online has over 25 steps including removing the airbag, pulling the wheel, then removing layers of different switches. I really do not want to get stuck somewhere in the middle of the repair, and be left without a method of transport. I will just wait till I get pulled over for a failing tail light, then Ill go to a trusted mechanic of mine and dish out the cash for this. Thank you all for your help in narrowing down the cause of this issue! does your third brake like work, if so you probable wont get pulled over i never did when driving my 97 Lumina. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptcfast2 Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 It's not really a hard job, but you need a few tools and this guide: http://tss.likeabigdog.com/ . Off the top of my head you would need: Torx bits, lock plate compressor, phillips head screw driver, flathead screw driver, good set of snap ring pliers, and of course a steering wheel puller. If you've never done it before it's a tiny bit intimidating, but it's rather easy once you have the steps laid out in front of you (The guide...) You could always directly wire the other brake lights to the 3rd/middle brake light since it's independent of the turn signal switch....I did that until I had the $$$ for the part and tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted November 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 @AMP yes the third light in the rear windshield works all the time. @PTCfast2 Where can I find this lead wire? Under the dash? or in the trunk? I would much rather try that, then going thru the hassle of buying or renting all those tools and worrying about the project. On the other hand, splicing wires is much less intimidating to me. Does direct wiring affect the turn signalling at all? Does it turn it off comepletelly then? Because my turn signals work, they just malfunction and turn the brake lights off while they are in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 I dont think direct woring would be a good idea because then your signals wont work at all in the back... If your around Toledo, I would replace the switch for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptcfast2 Posted November 18, 2011 Report Share Posted November 18, 2011 @PTCfast2 Where can I find this lead wire? Under the dash? or in the trunk? I would much rather try that, then going thru the hassle of buying or renting all those tools and worrying about the project. On the other hand, splicing wires is much less intimidating to me. Does direct wiring affect the turn signalling at all? Does it turn it off comepletelly then? Because my turn signals work, they just malfunction and turn the brake lights off while they are in use. You can still have the signals work, but you must wire everything correctly. I forget how I wired mine before I replaced my switch, but I know I had them running off the 3rd brake light + the turn signals were working. Had to do some voodoo at each connector if I remember correctly. If you play with the wires enough you will end up figuring it out. As for the wire you would need, it's in the trunk and feeds directly up into the brake light - it might be covered with electrical tape or something. I still personally think you should replace your switch though - it's not as daunting as you think it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted November 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 I just came up with a great idea. Since my turn signals work when I use them but the break lights dont, why dont I buy cheap lights online and wire them into a splice of the third brake light. Do you think I need to install fuses or anything for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted November 22, 2011 Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 I just read up on this: http://tss.likeabigdog.com/ seems like its easy enough to do, probably take a few hours on a Saturday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted November 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 I know it seems easy. But I do not want to go rent tools like a wheel puller, and also I do not want to get suck somewhere in the process and be left without a steering wheel. Thanks for the article tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted November 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 Also I was thinking about this. I wired a trunk release button. IN order to do that I had to remove the underdash panel and hook up plug and play switch to a taped up plug. When doing this i tugged on a wire and there was a spark. Is it possible i shorted the brake/turn signal, or maybe i disconnected it partially? Could that be a possibility? or should i not think about it and jsut get a new turn signal switch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted November 22, 2011 Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 Check out the wiring around where the spark was and see if anything is disconnected/damaged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted November 22, 2011 Report Share Posted November 22, 2011 I know it seems easy. But I do not want to go rent tools like a wheel puller, and also I do not want to get suck somewhere in the process and be left without a steering wheel. Thanks for the article tho. In that case you should probably find a shop to change it for you before you get rear ended by someone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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