98 Regal - Turn Signal problem, likely wiring

[Homebrew Hops]

I had my left turn signal start fast blinking 2 days ago. I stopped, got out, and checked it out... the front fast blinks and the rear does nothing. Got back in and assured myself it was a $2 fix as I had this happen once before. But then the next morning I take off for work and the turn signal is working. Proceeds to work for maybe 2 turns and then goes back to fast blinking. I stop and pick up the bulbs on the way home from work. After replacing I tested and it certainly is not working again.

I A) can't figure out which fuse is for those real lights and B) have no real tools to check the voltage on that wire

I am positive this happened when I was at a stop light in the turning lane and it was an extended red. The blinker had been on for probably 5min (long light here) and then just started fast blinking at that point.

How do I begin figuring out where the wire is messed up?

[BNaylor]

If you are sure the lamp is not the cause, then a few possibilities would be a wiring problem at the respective lamp holder socket or at the multifunction switch (stalk). There are no fuses for the turn signals after the 12v outputs the multifunction switch.

[Homebrew Hops]

Ok, where do I find the stalk, in the stearing column?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Homebrew Hops

Ok, where do I find the stalk, in the stearing column?

Here is a R&R procedure with pics to service the turn signal switch for a '97 - '04 Regal:

http://www.clubgp.com/cgi-asp/mods.asp?modid=141

[Homebrew Hops]

Originally Posted by bnaylor3400

Here is a R&R procedure with pics to service the turn signal switch for a '97 - '04 Regal:

http://www.clubgp.com/cgi-asp/mods.asp?modid=141

You rule. That is all.

[richtazz]

Bob is the shizzle, he is Mr Helpful. Normally, if one bulb on one side is flashing fast and the other corner on that side isn't flashing at all, its a bulb or socket issue on the corner not flashing, not the switch, but I've seen weirder things.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Bob is the shizzle, he is Mr Helpful. Normally, if one bulb on one side is flashing fast and the other corner on that side isn't flashing at all, its a bulb or socket issue on the corner not flashing, not the switch, but I've seen weirder things.

I worked with another Regal owner in the past with a simlar problem and it turned out to be a defective multi-function switch. He used the same R&R procedure I posted earlier to replace the part.

Here is an excerpt from the R&R procedure so there is nothing weird about it:

Rapid turn signal similar to when a bulb burns out. However bulbs were checked and all tested fine. Wiring also tested fine.

In any event, it is a easy circuit to troubleshoot. All you need is a multimeter. You can measure a pulsing 12v on the backside of the respective turn signal lamp socket. If missing it is one long wire with no junction points all the way back to the output of the multifunction switch.

[Homebrew Hops]

Originally Posted by richtazz

Bob is the shizzle, he is Mr Helpful. Normally, if one bulb on one side is flashing fast and the other corner on that side isn't flashing at all, its a bulb or socket issue on the corner not flashing, not the switch, but I've seen weirder things.

You know what's interesting now that you say that. Before I replaced the bulb and even after I replaced the bulb (that wasn't flashing) it WORKED intermitently. I haven't done any work on it (so I'm still driving with no back left turn signal ) so I'm going to take the back light off again and fidget with it to see if won't just start working again.

If it had been working intermitently with the old and new bulb can I sorta rule the stalk replacement out?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Homebrew Hops

You know what's interesting now that you say that. Before I replaced the bulb and even after I replaced the bulb (that wasn't flashing) it WORKED intermitently. I haven't done any work on it (so I'm still driving with no back left turn signal ) so I'm going to take the back light off again and fidget with it to see if won't just start working again.

If it had been working intermitently with the old and new bulb can I sorta rule the stalk replacement out?

I wouldn't rule it out but I'd concentrate on the bulb socket as I mentioned earlier and wiring to it. It gets a lot of wear n tear due to bulb replacement. The way the complete lens unit has to be removed on a Regal may cause rubbing on the wiring harness.