7.0
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$10.00
Average Mileage:
55,520 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (1 reports)
- replace the rear tail light socket (1 reports)
lights problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier turn signals stop working intermittently
2008Apr 04
Cavalier Sport Edition V4
- Automatic transmission
- 33,370 miles
rear turn signal shorted out like 4 bulbs, took to dealer they fixed it for a short time. now rear passenger turn signal does not work, i crawl in trunk unscrew covering and play with the bulb, not burnt out. it works for like 2 days then burns out again!! some have an idea on how to fix this. i am a female but i am pretty crafty.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jan 17
Cavalier VL 2.2L Ohv
I don't know who the hell designed the electrical system on the Cavalier but they must have a serious drinking problem; In the two (2) years I've owned this vehicle numerous small (but annoying) electrical glitches have happened; the latest one being that the rear turn signal will intermittently stop working. The bulb lights up, but doesn't blink. I owned a 1996 Corolla previous to this vehicle and had no electrical problems except for a shift indicator bulb that had to be replaced at 250 000km. The electrical system on the Cavalier is one of the many examples of GM's lack of commitment to quality . I'm looking for a fix and will definitely share it when the problem is fixed.
Update from Aug 17, 2009: I have found a fix for rthis problem. It was a turn signal socket that quit working. GM does have a recall (in Canada, I don't know about the States) for 2003 model years with this problem, but not for the 2002 model year as the problem was not as wide spread. The problem was that General Motors forgot to put a small amount of dielectric grease in the sockets, causing them to overheat and arch, which in turn caused complete, or partial failure of the rear tail light sockets.
The fix cost me $12 (Canadian dollars) and I got the part from a GM dealership. I'm in no way a professional mechanic but I did find a quick diagnostic test that you can perform to see if it is indeed the socket or something else. Here is this test:
1.) Put the vehicle in Park (or neutral)
2.) Turn on the headlights for the vehicle and activate the turn signal. If the problem is on the right, put the right signal on and vise versa.
3.) If the tail light stays light but doesnt flash, remove the trun liner
4.) Locate the rear tail light assembly and TURN IT COUNTER CLOCKWISE.
5.) With the rear socket out of the tailight, wiggle the bulb. If the bulb flashes after wiggling it, stop the signal and turn off the headlights.
6.) remove the bulb. If the socket smells like vaseline, is dirty and looks somewhat "melted", replace the socket.
In order to replace the socket, simply disconnect the connector, and connect the new socket. It is an extremely simple task that is really no harder then changing a bulb. It has fixed the problem on my 2002 Cavalier, and if you have the same problem with a 2003, there is a recall. If this fails to solve the problem, take a look at your turn signal relay or the multi function switch.
KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS FIX IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY! AS WITH ANY OTHER ATTEMPTED "HOME FIXES" THESE PROCEEDURES DO HAVE RISKS AND I CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX YOUR PROBLEM! KEEP IN MIND THAT IF YOU HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, THIS FIX COULD VOID YOUR WARRANTY SO CHECK WITH YOUR WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR!! THE AUTHOR IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT COULD ARRISE AS A RESULT OF ATTEMPTING THIS FIX! THIS POST IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT GUARANTEED! IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT PERFORMING THIS JOB OR ANY OTHER JOB YOURSELF, BRING YOUR CAR TO A QUALIFIED MECHANIC. I AM NOT A QUALIFIED MECHANIC.
Jp T.
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
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