turn signal/ back up fuse blows

[daedaestoy]

i am having a problem with every time i plug my turn signal switch up my fuse blows immediately!! if i unplug the switch the fuse is fine and my back up lights work completely fine... obviously it seems my turn signal switch is bad but my question is is there away to take it apart and possibly fix it because it is to expensive for my to jus spend $185 on a van that i only paid $500 for to start with.... is there anything i can do besides buy a new switch? oh! and btw i have a 1997 astro 2wd extended

[Phantom]

There is a dead short in that circuit , in either the switch or the chassis circuit , you need a VOM/continuity tester to test the circuit to pinpoint where the short is, It is possible you can change the switch and still have the same problem if the short is in the chassis side of circuit , unplug the switch and test for continuity in the switch alone through the connector , if it is bad you see it it , if it is good you will need to test each bulb socket with meter . In rare cases the turn flasher relay could have blown in a way that still passes voltage internally being the short , You can get a switch from a salvage yard for cheap,,and depending on exactly has caused the short it might be possible to fix the existing switch in the case that maybe a spring or metal tab has fallen onto other contacts.

[RECox286]

It would seem that you have three choices: A) put up the cash to have it repaired. B) Rather than spend $185, you have the opportunity to chase down the culprit

and fix it yourself, OR, C) you could roll the window down and signal manually when anticipating making a turn.

If you picked "B" you are on your way to becoming more self reliant, AND, Phantom has laid out the way to start your new lifestyle.

Bob

[daedaestoy]

has anyone experienced this type of problem? is it common? or is this jus a freak occurrence?

[Phantom]

It may have happened to someone but no it is not common , you will need to pinpoint exactly where the short is , it may or may not be the switch , those switches on any vehicle are kinda fragile , sometimes they can break if mishandled .Turn signal switches can wear out because they are used frequently .

[RECox286]

It seems that it would be easy enough to find out where the problem is. Replace the fuse that blows with a lightbulb and then do a L&R indicator and see if the bulb lights up in the fuse panel.

Start jiggling wires until the bulb goes out, and you will bein the vicinity of the "short to ground" problem child.

All you will need is a high wattage lightbulb, like an 1156, a socket that will accept the bulb and a couple of solderless connectors (male spade tips) red would be the proper size. Voila.

Good hunting

One thing has me stumped, are there two separate problems, or do the backup lights run thru the T/S switch ? (Sorry, I'm having a bad hair day today.)

Bob

[sasktrini]

Mine has that problem intermittently... I've replaced that fuse twice in the last year. Yeah, Bob, it seems to be the same circuit. Don't know where in the circuit my problem is though. Sorry I can't be more helpful than "Yeah, it doesn't just happen to me."

[daedaestoy]

It seems that it would be easy enough to find out where the problem is. Replace the fuse that blows with a lightbulb and then do a L&R indicator and see if the bulb lights up in the fuse panel.

Start jiggling wires until the bulb goes out, and you will bein the vicinity of the "short to ground" problem child.

All you will need is a high wattage lightbulb, like an 1156, a socket that will accept the bulb and a couple of solderless connectors (male spade tips) red would be the proper size. Voila.

Good hunting

One thing has me stumped, are there two separate problems, or do the backup lights run thru the T/S switch ? (Sorry, I'm having a bad hair day today.)

Bob

that a cool idea thanks for the help im goin to try this as soon as i get a few extra minutes