I recently went on a 600 mile road trip with our 2004 Chevy Impala. On the way home the turn signals stopped functioning normally. The indicator light in the dashboard would stay lit without blinking until the turn signal cancelled out.
After arriving home I checked the turn signals from outside the vehicle and discovered they were not working at all when the indicator inside the vehicle was illuminated. At first I thought it was only a burnt out bulb, but when using the hazard lamps all four bulbs worked fine.
After doing some more research on the web, I discovered that there is sometimes an electrical gremlin with the hazard switch module in the dashboard of these cars. The hazard switch also controls the turn signals. My solution to the problem was to push the hazard switch on and off rapidly for a little bit, and since then the turn signals have been working like they should. I just thought I would drop this tip in case anyone is having a similar issue.
If the problem with the turn signals not working happens again and just pushing the hazard switch on and off a few times doesn't work, I guess I will have to replace the hazard switch. Looks like if you're a surgeon you can replace it without removing the dash... I can't wait. But for now it is working fine.
Edit: If you do need to replace the hazard switch, you can do it without removing the entire dash. Here is a link to a flickr set (a group of photos and captions) that shows the process very well.
Link to Flickr Set for replacing the chevy impala turn signal switch
Also please let me know in the comments if my solution - pushing the turn signal switch on and off rapidly - works for you!
I've had the same issue. I thought it was just a fuse or some electrical problem, until my friend mechanic told me that it was a common issue that Impalas have, a "bad hazard switch." He instructed me to do the same thing you've done. And, yes it solved my problem. However, it was just temporary. That is why I decided to buy a new one and have my friend install it.
ReplyDeleteTyra Shortino
Hi Tyra, glad I was able to at least offer you some temporary help. Luckily I have not had any further issues with my Impala's switch, but I found the set of Flickr photos I linked to above to be very informative and that will be my next course of action if it starts acting up again.
DeleteDude that was amazing. It worked thanks for the tip!!!!!
DeleteI'VE PUT A NEW SWITCH IN, DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE A BROKEN WIRED SOMEWHERE ON THE TURN SIGNALS BECAUSE, THE HAZARDS WORK GREAT?
ReplyDeletei really have to say thank you If i didnt see the post i would of taken my whole dash apart like all the other sites say But your way worked perfect and took less then 5 min
ReplyDeleteMy girlfriend came in saying the turn signals on her 2005 Impala have stopped working. I did a quick search and found this. I told her and she went outside for a minute and came back in with a big smile on her face. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteaaaahha, just "jiggled-it" haz failed too.. ..let me see about that replacement switch .. will advise ..
ReplyDeletehi I had this problem to no one could tell me were it was at. on my 2005 chevy impala.
ReplyDeletethanks to this . I found one in the junk yard for less then 4.00 dallor
thank you , edna
Left rear turn signal didnt work. Would work on hazard. Had to take Hazard switch out of dash and wiggle it and turn started to work. You can take hazard switch out without taking dash a part. Just prying switch with a skrew driver and button pop off and take needle nose and pull the switch out.tske 5 minutes to fix.
ReplyDeleteWorked great thank you for the pictures and post!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this information it was very helpful. I have a 2005 Chevy Impala; my turn signals would blink 2 or 3 times and shut off but the hazard warning light blinked fine.
ReplyDeleteI saw this post and went out and brought the Hazard Warning switch from the auto parts store $65 I could have gotten it cheaper on line, but I did not want to wait a few days for it to arrive.
I took the car to my local gas station that has a mechanic, I did not want to install it myself, he was actually looking on his computer to see how to install it, I went on his computer to the site with the install pictures with the link you provided http://www.flickr.com/photos/93599926@N00/sets/72157602620999931/
The mechanic took the old switch out, he had to use two small screw drivers to pull the switch out, and replaced it with the new one, now the my turn signals work fine, he charged me $25, thanks so much for information.
My turn singles or my hazard lights don't work. Nothing lights up nothing blinks can someone help please
ReplyDeleteThis is where I'm at did anybody suggest anything useful??
DeleteThanks for the info all! Just bought a 2004 Impala turns signals work intermittingly. had no idea where to start thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info all! Just bought a 2004 Impala turns signals work intermittingly. had no idea where to start thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteThanks this helped on my 2002 impala
ReplyDeleteThanks! Took me 10 seconds to fix the problem!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! Got mine working.
ReplyDeleteGot a similar problem but my left signal light will come on when I turn the hazard lights on but when hazard is on my right light in the back don't work
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found this. Saved me a day of work. Notes: 1-jiggling the switch is a VERY temporary fix. 2-getting the old switch is even easier using angled o-ring tools or similar. 3-got my replacement switch for $18 from ebay with 2 day delivery.
ReplyDeleteMan thank you so much for this, it really worked!!!!!!!! I thought I was going go have to replace something major.
ReplyDeleteMan thank you so much for this, it really worked!!!!!!!! I thought I was going go have to replace something major.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!! It worked great for me.
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ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the helpful tip, it worked amazingly!
ReplyDeleteYes yes!!! It worked like a charm. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYes yes!!! It worked like a charm. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIm having the same issue with my 2000 impala.Thanks for the great advice!!......I'm definitely gonna do this tomorrow. I'll let you know how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteI did this on my 2003 just now and it worked!!!! I'm very thankful for this post
ReplyDeleteThank you James for sharing this fix. Happy Independence Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice it worked for me
ReplyDeleteWhat if you replaced the hazard switch and they work fine but the turn signals don't always work and sometimes getting a buzzing sound
ReplyDeleteI did exactly what you said and it worked! Thanks bro! Just hit TF outa the hazzard switch!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this. I followed your instruction and it worked.
ReplyDeleteI have bought a new battery and had mine hazard and signal switches replaced twice so I will try the jiggle part as it continues to do this
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder I forgot GM had a problem with hazard switch dating back to mid 90s
ReplyDelete