Expert: Rob Painter - 7/15/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello

I have a 2000 Cadillac Deville, the turn signal is not working but the 4-ways are, I'm thinking its the flasher that needs to be replaced. I have looked for it under the dash and could not find it, but found the 4-way flasher. The 4-way flasher is a little black box, dose the turn signal flasher look the same?

ANSWER: Hello,

Look at the flasher. If it says dual purpose or something along those lines, pull the one out you think is 4 way and replace it. If not, the flasher will be up under the dash, somewhere by the steering column and should be round.

Let me know what happens.

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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello

  Thanks for answearing my question. I checked the 4-way flasher and it dosen't say anything about dual purpose, it only says the part number and on the side it as a orange line and the letters P.P. I also looked again for a round flasher near the steering column, but no luck. I guess I'll replace it and see what happens. I should mention that when I turn the 4-ways on, that flasher works, but as you said if its dual purpose I guess it could still be replaced. Is there anything else it could be?

   Thanks Again!

ANSWER: Hi,

I recently had a problem with the left turn signal on my 1999 Suburban. I went under the dash looking for a flasher and could not find one. There was a flasher mounted in the junction block at the firewall, which normally would be for 4 ways. On the cover it stated "dual purpose.' Funny, I thought only the goof ball engineers at Ford were the only ones that designed crap like this in their trucks, but I was wrong.

By the way, wasn't a flasher, but a p/c board for the tail light! Stupid!!!!

Look at your owners manual in the glove box. That may give you the location. It might be located in or around the other fuse box in the trunk or engine bay.

http://www.autotheftexpert.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello

   Talked to the parts department at G.M. and he said that the Flasher is dual purpose, but he wasn't sure if that would be it because the 4-ways work. He said it could be the turn signal switch even thou the wipers still work on it. I'm not sure what to do now, the flasher is $80 and the switch is $190, both are not returnable. Any feed back would be appreciated.

      Thanks!

Answer
Hi,

Your first problem is going to a dealer for answers. Get a factory manual for diagnosing any problem in your car http://www.alldata.com. You can down load instantly for $30. That takes the guessing out. As far as parts google "rock auto." Try autozone, O'Reily, Advance etc.

You will save lots of money. The only reason I would ever go to the dealer is for a new Target master 454 (in my case or a new trans. Otherwise I would recommend you stay away from the GM dealer rip offs. You will pay 100% or more for their mark up on parts and they are no better than after market.

Let me know your findings. with the manual, you are not guessing any more.

Good luck!


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