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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Beginner / Repair => Topic started by: FreeBirdGrady on October 24, 2012, 10:09:26 AM

Title: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: FreeBirdGrady on October 24, 2012, 10:09:26 AM
1995 sidekick 2 door. only owned for about 3 weeks.
the turn signals dont work in either direction. the reverse lights dont come on when put in reverse
trying to troubleshoot this problem, i feel like it is one problem instead of two separate issues. heres where i am at:
all fuses new.
main fuses good. (wipers still work)
hazards work (flasher relay is good, all bulbs good)
dont think it is in the blinker (lever) switch because i have an extra unit that came with the vehicle and it doesnt change anything when i plug it in. wipers, hazards, hi-beam still work. blinkers dont.

my next step is to start tracing every wire to ground. starting at the fuse box, and specifically around the TURN/REAR fuse.

throwing my problem out there to see if anyone has had similar issues, know of specific grounds that go bad, or thinks it's 2 different problems. any help is appreciated, thanks for your time in advance.

Grady
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: jcowdin on October 24, 2012, 10:20:38 AM
This is the back up diagram for a 8vavle
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: jcowdin on October 24, 2012, 10:21:41 AM
Turn signals 8valve
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: jcowdin on October 24, 2012, 10:26:42 AM
If all turns don't work, I'd start with testing the switch.  Looks like they use one common ground in the rear.  Hope this helps
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: FreeBirdGrady on October 24, 2012, 10:35:36 AM
If all turns don't work, I'd start with testing the switch.  Looks like they use one common ground in the rear.  Hope this helps

when using the switch on the steering column, whether it is for left, or for right. nothing happens. the indicators in the dash, front, rear, left, right all stay off.

when using the hazard switch, all light up, and flash, at a normal pace.

if it is the switch would left and right BOTH go out?
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: fordem on October 24, 2012, 11:09:42 AM
It's entirely possible - however - since turn & back share the same fuse and hazards are on a different one - I would go back to the fuses and start there, with a test light or meter - the probability of a bad fuse is very high, followed by a wiring issue, and then a very coincidental simultaneous failure of the reverse & either hazards or turn signal switch.

I know you said the fuses are new, but my money is on a fuse being defective.
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: jcowdin on October 24, 2012, 01:31:41 PM
On the turn signals, if the hazard switch is working and flashes all the lights, then fuses are good.  This aslo proves that all grounds are working and all wiring is good.  If you look on the top left of the diagram, the switch uses the same fuses as the hazards do.  It is just "T-ed" into the circuit.

Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: fordem on October 24, 2012, 02:57:28 PM
Look CLOSER - but this time pay attention to the switch positions shown in the hazard light switch - hazards are powered by F15 via a white/green wire, turn & brake are powered by F19 via a yellow wire.

This is pretty much standard Suzuki practice.
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: jcowdin on October 24, 2012, 03:14:25 PM
Yes, you are correct, it proves the F15 has to be working and in good shape.  The F19 is still questionable.  Based on:  all fuses new.
 I woud still suspect the switch as inop.
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: fordem on October 24, 2012, 07:58:49 PM
Which switch would that be - reverse light or turn signal?

Please present your hypothesis on why a defective reverse light switch will prevent the turn signals from working - or - vice versa.

The fact that BOTH are out at the same time is what points to the fuse - it's the only place those two circuits come together - although as I mentioned previously, there are other possible, but less likely probabilities.
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: jcowdin on October 25, 2012, 08:07:13 AM
Other then posting the diagram of the reverse, I havn't been looking at the reverse circuit.  If something is common on both circuits, then that is a good place to start with.  I figured we all can look at a fuse and judge it's condition, if FreeBirdGrady says it's ok, then I am assuming the fuse is ok and go on to the next step.
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: fordem on October 25, 2012, 08:40:45 AM
And here again, experience wins out - the fact that a fuse is new (which is what the OP says) or looks good, does not mean that it is good - which is why I suggested using a test light or a meter - I've had both glass cartridge fuses and plastic blade type fuses look good and be open circuit.

You may note, that I haven't ruled out the possibility of the fuse being good, and that I have suggested other possible failure points to be checked - including a possible failure of both switches, I just think that would be a tremendous coincidence, and based on experience, the fuse IS the most likely problem.
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: jcowdin on October 25, 2012, 08:51:04 AM
And here again, experience wins out

Didn't realize this has turned into a pissing contest.  Ya, the first thing I would check is the fuse.  Simple check...now what would be your next logical move?
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: fordem on October 25, 2012, 03:38:49 PM
Read the thread - I gave the sequence in a previous post.
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: FreeBirdGrady on November 09, 2012, 03:42:27 AM
what is the most efficient way to test that switch?
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: fordem on November 09, 2012, 04:02:38 AM
Which switch?

Get a meter and do a continuity test - or - using a meter or a test light, check for the presence of voltage in to & out of the switch.
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: FreeBirdGrady on November 09, 2012, 07:04:15 AM
I would go back to the fuses and start there, with a test light or meter - the probability of a bad fuse is very high

I know you said the fuses are new, but my money is on a fuse being defective.

i checked with a cheap fuse checker, they all lit up. even tried one from a different spot that had been functioning correctly.

i then used my meter and followed the wires towards the switch.

i disconnected the small harness under the steering column that leads to all the wiper, light, turn switches.

on the battery side of the harness there is power from the yellow wire constantly, and power from the W/G when the key is switched on. both 12V+

in my head this rules out any fuse, ground, wiring issues up to that point, and it must be the switch (lever) thats attached to the column, under the steering wheel.

I havent tried to chase down the reverse light switch. would that be located under the gear shifter accessed from in the car, or down below, accessed from underneath?

thanks for all your help guys. i live on st thomas in the caribbean, i need to get the car registered, and although you can have the floor rusted through, seats not attached, and no doors... you have to have blinkers and reverse lights to register the vehicle.

Im thinking about bypassing the stock switch and wiring from the small harness to a on-off-on small aftermarket switch on the dashboard. just for the inspection. maybe something similar for reverse.... (foglights?)

if you have any quick solutions or have had similar issues please let me know. again thanks for all your replies!!
Title: Re: No turn signals or reverse light
Post by: fordem on November 09, 2012, 11:36:01 AM
Reverse light switch will be accessible from under the car.

It might be worth your time to pull the column shrouds and check the wiring associated with the column switch - the diagram that jcowdin provided shows a single switch assembly but I have a recollection of the hazard switch being physically separate - it's a fairly expensive switch, so I would certainly want to make sure the problem isn't something I can work around before putting my hand in my pocket.

I have seen a dirty hazard switch cause the flashers to stop.