Turn signals don't work on 98 Olds Cutlass?

Question

I've checked fuses and they are fine. Have no clue what the problem is

Answer 1

It is probably the Flasher unit. It's the unit that makes them flash. It's usually under the dash and about a ten dollar part. Check to see if your hazards work. most cars have two flasher units. one for the turn signals and one for the flashers. they should be labeled somehow. Find them under the dash,Front seating area, driver side, driver side of steering column, mounted behind instrument panel. swap the hazard flasher for the turn signal flasher (as long as they are identical) and see if the turn signals work. If they do, replace the flasher unit. You can get it any parts store.

Answer 2

Be aware that there are two different flasher units, one for signals, and one for 4-way! It is possible that both are bad, but more likely the 4 way could have been gone a long time, (but if not checked you would have no way of knowing that). So what I am saying, is that probably the blinker would not have blown, -then you put it in 4-way and that one blew immediately too!!



These fuses can "look good' and still not be good, so I would substitute a fuse from somewhere else that is the same size and see if the problem goes with it! If you have a "test light" you can pick up power from some other "hot' circuit (when car ign is on), and put one side of light there, and other side on either side of questoinable fuse, - if the light burns, you have a "circuit" (to something). At this point you can see if the brightness changes when turnsignal is set for either side! If it changes brightness, then circuit is going through t.s. circuits too! Now remove the "blinker box" for the t.s. circuit, - check with test light grounded on one side, and insert probe in each of the 2 (or 3) "plug" connections" in the fusebox (or wiring socket if not in fusebox)- you should be able to get power on at least one of these connections! If there is nothing there, then you are not getting power to the circuit from somewhere ahead of the fuse (asssuming fuse is ok). Now having concluded that there is no "direct short" anywhere between the fusebox, and the turn-signal circuit, -you can "jump" a piece of wire from one of the "ign. hot" circuits, (with key switch on), - (there is a small part of the metal "pin" on each side of the fuse that you can insert (test probe in to check), - this is a good place to "inject" power into the turn signal circuit! If you have a short it will either blow the fuse, - or make a large spark (in which case you want to get it off connection and check for shorts in t.s. line). Hopefully the turnsignal will work. At this point you have determined that the power to the fuse is missing. It is possible that you may have a "hidden" fuseable link", (as the fusable link looks like an ordrinary wire from the outside). The "link" would have a "scorched or bubbly" appearance", - if it isn't just "plain burned in two!" So you want to look for that sort of thing in the "under hood area"! If it is a link, you probably have other things hooked on the same "line" which would be not working either,- which would have to be checked for shorts too before replacing the "link"!



If a wire hooked up to the fusebox as a "jumper" works, and it is on fused side of the connection (meaning it goes through the fuse to the circuit.) And it is hooked to a circuit that goes off with the ignitin lock,- then you will probably be safe driving it this way till you get around to "really tearing into it" --when you get the time and inclination!..... When you do, you want to be equipped with a good wiring diagram, so you know what and where you are looking at for the problem. Haynes makes a pretty good manual - available in "Auto Zone" type auto supply stores! Get one that specifically covers your year, model, and make of car!

Answer 3

have you checked the flasher? auto makers put these in different places on cars. It may be located within the fuse box with the fuses. It could also be under the dash ...they can be round or square, red or gray usually. It could also be under the hood with all of the relays. If it is not under the hood with the relays or with the fuses it is most likely under the dash on the driviers side. Pull the panel from under the dash and look up there....normally there is two of them,,,,one for the turn signals and one for the emergency flashers. If your emergency flashers are working then it is easy to dicern between this one and the turnsignal flasher...just turn on the emergency flashers and listen to which one is clicking...the other one will be your turn signal flasher.



Hope this helps

Answer 4

actually there have been alot of issues with these hazard warning switches in these cars ... there has even been a recall on some of them. there is an internal malfunction in the hazard switch assembly. that switch controls both the turn signals and the hazard lamps. if it is not covered by the recall the part is fairly cheap.. like under 30 bucks. installing it can be kind of a pain due to the removal of dash pieces. so the dealer might not be a bad option here either. hope this helps.



GM Master Tech

Master ASE Tech.

Answer 5

98 Cutlass

Answer 6

check the flasher fuse that work's the turn signals its under the dash it is not in the fuse box if that don't work check the bulb's

Answer 7

its got to be the flasher, which should be located near the fuses and it would be square, possible black. read the diagram

Answer 8

appears like a floor venture to me. sparkling each and all of the terminals on the battery. on the floor area of the battery verify to make beneficial the floor going to the physique has a sturdy touch. With the undesirable floor the alternator has to artwork extra sturdy to maintain each and every thing charged.