Weird voltage drop when blinkers on

[completetech]

So made a dumb quick video to show what's happening every time I put my blinker on in my 2000 rwd astro cargo


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg2Q-m6d ... ata_player[/youtube]

Any ideas where I should start?

[astroturf]

I would advise you read up on the Big Three Upgrade.

Looks like a weak ground to me.

Good Luck, Jim

[MountainManJoe]

If there's an oxidized ground connected on the wiring harness somewhere, big three won't help. There's also a possibility this is caused by an exposed wire somewhere. At least you have the benefit of the problem being isolated to the turn signal wiring. Does it happen for left and right?

[completetech]

Yes. Both left and right signals.

[MountainManJoe]

OK so the problem is somewhere between the fuse block and your steering column.

[astroturf]

I would like to see the same video as he turns the head lights on and off, and then repeat it with applying the brakes, actuation of the dome lights, and so on and so forth.

It may be further then just between the fuse box and column.

Just thinkin out loud, Jim

[Smiliesafari]

If you have an extra flasher sitting around...give it a try. Nothing to lose.

[completetech]

Don't have an extra flasher sitting around.

As far as lights and whatnot. The guy I bought it from installed a newer sensor thing to determin when the lights come on. So during the day when the video was shot, all lights were off except of course the blinker ;)

I can shoot another one with the lights on and then off and whatnot to give that a try. But I was leaning towards a ground myself. But wasn't sure where if that would actually be it.

But now that I think about it, the guy did hook the aftermarket radio up so it's always on. May e that could be a problem and somewhat causing this issue as he didn't know wtf he was doing electrical wise...

[astroturf]

I like Smiles suggestion...

Flasher Module first, It's quick and easy.

Could save alot of steps. Wish I would have thought of it.

Jim

[completetech]

Dumb question. Where's it at??

[WoodButcher]

Don't have an extra flasher sitting around.

As far as lights and whatnot. The guy I bought it from installed a newer sensor thing to determin when the lights come on. So during the day when the video was shot, all lights were off except of course the blinker ;)

I can shoot another one with the lights on and then off and whatnot to give that a try. But I was leaning towards a ground myself. But wasn't sure where if that would actually be it.

But now that I think about it, the guy did hook the aftermarket radio up so it's always on. May e that could be a problem and somewhat causing this issue as he didn't know wtf he was doing electrical wise...

I have the same issue. It is not the stereo, Mine is wired properly. I have a '97 w/o a sensor for the headlights. it has DRLs, low beams always on.

If there's an oxidized ground connected on the wiring harness somewhere, big three won't help. There's also a possibility this is caused by an exposed wire somewhere. At least you have the benefit of the problem being isolated to the turn signal wiring.

IIRC his also happens w/ the hazard flasher as well, You mention a corroded ground, maybe it is best to find and clean that puppy?
My next question is why wouldn't the big three help? does "the path of least resistance" come into play?

[astroturf]

Dumb question. Where's it at??

AstroZam says:

Hazard Flasher:
Front seating area, driver side, under dash, above kick panel, mounted in convenience center
Turn signal:
Front seating area, driver side, under dash, driver side of steering column, mounted on support bracket

Keep us posted, and good luck

Jim

[MountainManJoe]

By chance, do you have moisture inside your signal lens?

@Woodbutcher
If the battery or alternator weren't grounded properly then everything would be affected.

[WoodButcher]

got it.
Sometimes we don't see the forrest when standing in front of a tree!

[97CargoCrawler]

Perhaps oxidized/corroded contacts in the flasher relay? Swap it or pop it open and clean them. I see this all the time with other electronic masterpieces.

All that juice is being converted to heat due to the extra resistance between the contacts. If this is your issue then it will stop working altogether soon, or the contacts will melt together.