Truck light problem.

[Coach James]

Okay guys, here's another one. I have a 2000 Nissan Frontier. When I push the hazard light button nothing happens. When I turn on the turn signal, right or left, doesn't matter, the hazards work.

Relay, switch? Or likely something else?

Thanks

Coach

 

[drew03cmc]

I'd check the relay first. Does it click when you turn the hazards on?

 

[Toothaker]

Different circuit. Hazard has its own fuse, and turn signals another. When you turn the turn signal and you have the hazard switch on, power is fed through the lightbulb to the hazard switch because the bulb is common to both circuits.

Check the hazard fuse first.

 

[MikeF2316]

Different circuit. Hazard has its own fuse, and turn signals another. When you turn the turn signal and you have the hazard switch on, power is fed through the lightbulb to the hazard switch because the bulb is common to both circuits.

Check the hazard fuse first.

Right.

A hazard switch usually is triple pole. In the off position one pole has the flasher relay connected to a fuse that has power only when the ignition is on. The turn signal switch then connects one side of the signal bulbs when it's on.

In the on position, the above mentioned pole switches to an always on fuse. The other 2 poles then connect both left and right bulbs to the flasher relay.

If the fuse is OK, then you will probably need a hazard switch.

 

[redmondjp]

Guys - read what the OP wrote - the hazards work if the turn signal switch is activated - this means that the hazard switch and its flasher are just fine. The hazard signal passes through the turn signal switch, so my best guess is that the contacts in the turn signal switch that are supposed to let the hazard signal pass through (with turn signal switch in the center or 'off' position) are dirty or corroded.

 

[WWheeler]

In just to find out what it was.

I've seen exactly this same thing in a GMC truck at work, hazards worked only if a turn signal was employed, but I have no idea what they did to fix it. Actually not sure they ever did. That truck gets moved around from one plant to another.

 

[jakemac]

Test the fuse. Test the switch.

 

[bert1913]

check your front park/turn and rear brake/taillight bulb incandescent bulb filaments to see if the one filament is shorting against the other

 

[Coach James]

Thanks all. I will check the fuse tomorrow then the switch if need be, raining now. Bert, I'll look at that if I need to also. Thanks.

I need to get my truck inspected and the NC Inspection Handbook doesn't list hazard lights as a requirement to pass, but I want them working properly anyway.

Thanks

Coach