No Blinkers or Flashers

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

d0n

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Posts
18
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston
I was driving along yesterday and noticed that my blinkers and flashers quit working. No flashing, no turn signal, no sound. I checked all the fuses (two inside the cab, two in the main fuse box) and all the bulbs (pulled the back bulbs out for check but could only look at the ones in the front through the lenses) and nothing seems to be bad. Any suggestions?

07 Tahoe LT 4x4, pretty much stock.

---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:48 PM ----------

Well, I guess I have a short or something. I just started the truck and hit the blinker and they are now working. I guess reseating the bulbs and fuses made them work? Didn't see any oxidation or anything on any parts I pulled out and inspected. Crazy!
 
OP
OP
D

d0n

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Posts
18
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston
Blinkers went out again and I believe I found the problem. One of the rear bulbs was shorted or something. The filaments looked good but the bulb wouldn't work in the brake light socket when I swapped them. (The rear brake and blinker lights use the same bulb.) I went and bought 4 new bulbs and replaced both sets of rear brake and blinker lights. All is good in the hood again!
 
OP
OP
D

d0n

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Posts
18
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston
Where's the blinker fluid? I guess I need to check it because on the way to work my blinkers quit working again..............

Actually, I checked the fluid and it's 3/4's full. Maybe I need to replace it with Royal Purple's blinker fluid?

KIDDING!!!!!!!

Seriously, I'm at a loss now. I checked all the wires in the taillights and up under the rear fenderwell (harness connectors) and all seemed well yesterday. Maybe the blinker switch? Maybe a ground somewhere?

As I recall the Traction control does not come on when this happens. I push the button and no icon/light comes up. When the blinkers are working, the TC light comes on. I didn't try cruise control but I understand it is linked to the blinker switch also. Also, as I remember, when the blinkers stop working the windshield wipers work but the water sprayer doesn't.

Any ideas before this thing goes to the dealer?
 
Last edited:

SunlitComet

OBS Jedi-Do Good
Joined
Sep 30, 2010
Posts
16,206
Reaction score
188
Location
unknown at this time.
Controlled by BCM which manages a lot of stuff is fed buy multiple fuses and interacts with just about everything. re-seat all off it connectors and see if it goes away for good.
 
OP
OP
D

d0n

TYF Newbie
Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Posts
18
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston
Controlled by BCM which manages a lot of stuff is fed buy multiple fuses and interacts with just about everything. re-seat all off it connectors and see if it goes away for good.

So I think this is the issue.

Yesterday I had a new set of problems which forced me to take the tahoe in to the dealership. The issue with that, as I was headed to the dealership everything started working again. When I got to the dealership all was good. I talked with the service guys and they basically told me they would have to troubleshoot and chase wires and look for obvious things if the problem wasn't present. They need to the problem to be present to figure it out. The service manager also believes it is likely a bad ground or the body control module but most like the BCM. He said they wouldn't replace the BCM or change it unless they could figure out that is what the actual problem. I declined to leave my tahoe and took it home where the blinkers stopped working later that night when I moved it to the driveway.

I think yesterday's issues were related to me knocking something loose with the emergency brake as I removed/reinstalled the lower dash cover.

Using the Mitchell online manual I got the part number for the BCM and Amazon has it for $128 shipped overnight so I ordered it. (funny as I go back to get the link the price is now $160.) I'll put that in tomorrow night and see if fixes my problems. Judging from the picture, the BCM is very easy to get to. I saw it the other night when I was under the dash. We'll see what happens after I replace it.

I'll keep this thread updated incase someone ever has a similar problem and does a search.



Also as a reference a list of the issues that occur when this problem happens is: No blinkers, no hazards, the high beam / low beam switch doesn't work, the fog lights won't turn on, on the same switch for the fog lights - the button that does the interior lights don't work, the traction control button doesn't work, the windshield washer fluid sprayer doesn't work. At the same time, the headlights do work, the 4x4 control switch works, the interior lights work IF the button was previously pushed, traction control still works (I punch it in the rain and it comes on) the button to engage/disengage it does not, windshield wipers work, cruise control works, I think that's about it.... It happens intermittently. I can't trace an event that causes it or stops it. There is no set time for it to work and not work. It's extremely random and intermittent. Really the only time I know when it has or hasn't happened is when I hit my blinkers or any other switch that is affected.
 
Last edited:
Top