'99 Venture-Turn signal Problems, ABS light.

I have a 99 Venture that the turn signals are acting really weird. At First when signaling left everything was fine. When signaling to the right, it would blink normally until the brakes were applied. At that point, it would begin blinking really fast. Now when signalling left it blinks really fast whether braking or not. The right is still acting as it was. When I apply the brakes, both turn signals illuminate on the dash. This all began happening shortly after the ABS light came on. It is on and off intermittently. I have replaced the signal and brake light bulbs. Could this possibly be a flasher problem? If so, where is the flasher located?

have a look at my answers to these questions, just a few beneath yours:

Rear brake light problem

1999 Venture ABS & Brake light

You have a burned out tail lamp socket assembly plug. The problem occurs in the plug that connects the tail lamp to the rear wiring harness. Could be left or right, but it usually happens in right side first. Remove the tail lamp and unplug it and visually inspect the plug and socket pins. When it's bad, you'll see it clearly.

You have a burned out tail lamp socket assembly plug. The problem occurs in the plug that connects the tail lamp to the rear wiring harness. Could be left or right, but it usually happens in right side first. Remove the tail lamp and unplug it and visually inspect the plug and socket pins. When it's bad, you'll see it clearly.


AJT1961,

That's exactly what I described in another post. I was able to devise a fix but I'm not sure how long it's gonna hold up. Is this a common problem? Do you know if there's been a redesign of the socket assembly?

It is a very common problem. I don't know if there's been any redesign, but from looking at the parts, I doubt one is needed. The problem seems to caused by cheap metal and/or plating on the contacts in the plug/socket assembly and/or moisture leaking through faulty seals. This is usually the result of the subcontractor cutting costs with substandard materials and not building to spec, not a design flaw. I think the best and most cost effective fix (if you are doing your own work) is to simply cut out the plug and socket and to solder the wires together. If you then seal it carefully with shrink tube and tape, the fix should last forever. There's more than enough slack in the wiring harness so that you can pull the spliced section through the rubber body grommet into the vehicle, so it won't be exposed to the elements. It's a lot cheaper than replacing the tailamp assembly.

Thanks. That's exactly what I found. There is one pin that is a little charred and the plastic even smells a little. I cleaned both connections with contact cleaner and it is now working as it should. Don't know how long it will last but hopefully a while. :biggrin:

Exact same problem, except mine is a '01 with Traction Control. I was getting a Service Traction System warning on the message panel. Sure enough, one of the female sockets in the right tail light harness was cooked. As a temp patch, I shaved a piece of thin copper wire and slipped it in to the enlarged socket. A squirt of liquid solder might work too. (Evidently, the TCS warning was because it detected the brake light on--caused by the short--, yet the wheels were spinning normally.)
Cost of repair: $0. Thanks Automotive Forum Members!