Weird lighting issue on '97 Park Avenue

My son has a strange lighting issue. His right turn signal did not work and all bulbs are OK. But when I removed the right cornering lamp bulb, which is supposed to be on whenever the turn signal is moved to position, the turn signals started working again. But as soon as the cornering lamp bulb is inserted, the turn signals quit.

I switched the left cornering lamp bulb with the right, but nothing changed. The left turn signals work fine.

We decided to replace the hazard turn signal module, which is a giant PIA (!), but the new module didn't accomplish anything except about 4 hours of lost time.

We currently have the right cornering lamp bulb removed so his right turn signals can operate.

Does anyone have any ideas?

My son has a strange lighting issue. His right turn signal did not work and all bulbs are OK. But when I removed the right cornering lamp bulb, which is supposed to be on whenever the turn signal is moved to position, the turn signals started working again. But as soon as the cornering lamp bulb is inserted, the turn signals quit.

I switched the left cornering lamp bulb with the right, but nothing changed. The left turn signals work fine.

We decided to replace the hazard turn signal module, which is a giant PIA (!), but the new module didn't accomplish anything except about 4 hours of lost time.

We currently have the right cornering lamp bulb removed so his right turn signals can operate.

Does anyone have any ideas?


I had a similiar problem. Turned out to be the multi-function swich in the steering column. Big bucks

I believe Xavier is right.

The multi function switch controls, amongst other things, the signals and the cornering lamps. As you turn on the signal, the switch sends the power to the corresponding signal to flash and also to the corresponding cornering lamp to illuminate. It appears that there might be a short or something in the switch, causing the current going through the cornering lamp bulb to affect the functionality of the turn signals.

I would still invest the $ in getting a new multi function switch. Some people would consider a cornering lamp to be trivial, but if that part of the switch has gone bad or has a short, it's hard to say what could be next to malfunction due to the problem. Taking out the cornering lamp bulb is only allowing the signals to flash (for the moment). It hasn't solved the underlying problem, which could potentially knock out other functions controlled by the switch.

Good luck! :cheers:

I agree.My low beams quit working last month and now no dash lights.

Xavier? do you have photos or instructions on how to remove and install?

If you are having problems with your low beams and dash lights, I would first suspect the headlamp switch. Your dash lights, along with your outside parking lamps and headlamps, are connected to your headlamp switch. Are your parking lamps on when the dash lights go out? My 94 Cutlass Ciera kept blowing a fuse that would knock out the dash lights AND the parking lamps all at once. If you have no dash lights and no parking lamps, check your fuse for the parking lamps...could have blown.

If you find the headlamp switch is at fault, replacement is easy. I believe that the 97-05 models are interchangeable, so you are not restricted to your model year Park Ave for replacement.

The wood-looking trim piece around your headlamp switch will pull straight out. Be careful not to force anything, but pull firmly straight out. The headlamp switch should have a couple of screws holding it in and a plug in connector plugged into the back.

Hope this helps.

I will have to check the parking lamps but the dashlights do not come on at all.I use my auto switch on the lights which makes me think it could be somewhere else.
Could that go out without ever using it?
Where's the fuse for the dashlights? I looked at the manual and it shows nothing.

I'm not sure whether it would make a difference whether you use the manual headlamp switch or the Twilight Sentinel. On 97-05 models, you can use the manual switch during daylight hours, but the Twilight Sentinel takes over when light levels fall below a certain level, regardless. On prior years, I believe that you can turn off the Twilight Sentinel completely and strictly use the headlamp switch to control your lights. But either way, your parking lamps will rely on the fuse to illuminate, regardless of which way you turn on your lights.

I went out to the garage and pulled out the fuse for the parking lamps and my dash lamps failed to illuminate, same as the parking lamps. I also lost my chime to tell me my lights were on. It all came back on when I replaced the fuse. Mine is a 2001. The fuse box is under the hood, over the passenger side front wheel. There is a box with a thumbwheel screw on top. Loosen the screw and the top can pull off. If you are standing next to the passenger side front wheel, facing the side of the car, the parking lamp fuse is the lower-left hand fuse (25 amp, I believe). It is in space # 24. There is a chart under the lid.

I presume that the 97-05 models are all the same in that respect. If yours is an earlier model, I'm not sure if it would be the same.

Hope this helps. :cheers:

Topher, Deja vu. I just went to walmart and noticed I had no tail lights.
So,I opened the fuse box and there it was #24 blown.Well now I have lights,dash and otherwise.
Now I still have to figure out the headlights working on high beam but not low beam.They would work at times then finally went out completely.
:runaround:
This is starting to get the better of me.:banghead:

Topher, Deja vu. I just went to walmart and noticed I had no tail lights.
So,I opened the fuse box and there it was #24 blown.Well now I have lights,dash and otherwise.
Now I still have to figure out the headlights working on high beam but not low beam.They would work at times then finally went out completely.
:runaround:
This is starting to get the better of me.:banghead:


Well, I'm glad you got one problem solved...here's hopin' the high/low beam issue can get solved. In the owner's manual, there are charts for the instrument panel fuses and the under hood fuses. IIRC, there are several fuses that concern the headlights. Be sure to check all of them to ensure they, too, haven't blown. Unfortunately, beyond the fuses, I'm not sure where the next place to turn would be, except perhaps the multifunction switch.

Sorry I can't help you any further on that part. :frown:

I appreciate the help.I will tell you now that my manual is vague.All the abreviations really confuse me.I am lost with all the LLMP assuming Left lamp? I dunno where to start.:banghead:
I forgot to mention that the fuse actually still looked okay.It was just luck I replaced it becuse it looked old.What fuses are under the dash?I know the ones under the seat have no effect on the headlights.
If it were a p.c. I would have had it figured out.