Hello all,

 

First I Searched allot of similar topics here on USMB....

 

Problem started when I ran to the store on my way home from work one evening & when I came out - battery was dead. Got a jump & drove it the 5min to my house. It was evening so didn't want to mess with it. In the morning I hopped in & it started right up. Thinking I must have left something on, I started out for work about 30 miles. As I was merging onto the interstate my guages went dead - except fuel & turn signals would not work. Made it to work & popped the hood - battery terminals were really corroded so I pulled the battery, cleaned everything up & put the battery on to charge. After charging I put it back in & car started right up - but no gauges or turn signal still.... searching USMB I found similar issue & found the turn signal, inst cluster & alternator excitor are all on the same circuit. I checked the fuse & sure enough it was burnt. Changed the fuse & everything seemed fine... about 15miles into my return trip, cluster goes dead again & alternator obviously not charging. 

 

So far I have replaced battery terminals, replaced ad bulbs in rear & cleaned up bad connections. Started it up, tried the turn signal, & burnt the fuse again. Thought maybe it was the flasher module - replaced with Napa EP-34 & it does not even try to work...

 

At my wits end... any ideas?

Edited January 20, 20251 yr by GorgeSuby

I had a similar issue on my 35th anniversary car (2004).

Critters had gotten into the left rear quarter panel and chewed the wiring harness. Shorting the turn signal circuit to the LR light, and damaging the wiring to the antenna (I think your 2000 will have a conventional antenna on the roof over the driver's door). Every time I used the Left turn signal, the gauge cluster would go dead. As long as I remembered not to use that signal, things were cool.

If you can't think of a more specific correlation between using a function like that and the failure, I'd buy a breaker for that fuse so it could be reset and continue on.

 

Hope that helps!

Edited January 20, 20251 yr by Numbchux

Is replacing the turn signal switch indicated (pun intended), too?

Just had a similar issue - but on a Ford - resolved w/the switch. 

Thanks guys,

 

Seems to do it on left or right so likely not bulb/socket or  L/R wiring?

Also Hazards don't seem to be functioning so Hazard switch or turn signal switch maybe?

....so the plot thickens... I was all set to change out my hazard switch but notice my brake light fuse blew. I checked the wires & bulbs & not having a 20amp fuse on hand I put in a 30amp I had spare just to test. with the 30amp fuse in, my turn signal indicator lights(both) come on while braking! 

 

Am I back to looking for a short in the wiring?