rear turn signal doesnt work

[ontheroad92]

i have a 1992 wagon. the rear turn signal on the driver side is not working. the turn lights are working on the front part of the car. the passenger side is fine. when i do shift the lever, it blinks faster than normal on the driver side on the dashboard. the lights for a left turn (driver side) on the front do blink faster than normal. the passenger side (right) is fine. the brake lights are operating fine. occasionally, i will get a 'brake lamp' light on while driving the car; however, the brake lights on both sides are operating.

the bulb for both the turn signal and brake light on both sides are in good condition. the wiring and socket appear in good shape with no corrosion. i have examined all the fuses that would affect this and see no damage.

recently, i replaced the gaskets for both tail lights using craft foam (via tutorial on this site- thanks guys!), replaced the wiring socket on the passenger side rear tail light (original was corroded due to water leak, 'new' part pulled from junker, in good condition) and replaced the passenger side tail light itself as it was damaged. i believe some of this damaged wiring on the passenger side is what's causing the brake lamp light to come on. i have switched out a couple brown boxes on the passenger side tail light with the same results. the brown boxes are used, but appear to be in good shape.

also, when i push the hazard lights, both sides blink at a normal speed. all yellow lights work save for the driver side rear. just putting that out there in case it will help diagnose the problem.

i am tearing many things out of the car right now, however, here's my issues:
* i have no idea how to tell if a wire is damaged or shorted
* also, how on earth do i fix a damaged wire????

i'm happy to take photos if that will help. thanks in advance.

[Nyne521]

use a multi meter or even a test light and check that you have power at the socket

[ontheroad92]

i am getting power in the socket where the bulb goes. the wiring for that harness is fine. also checked the wiring that harness plugs into and it's checked out ok. hmm...think it could be the turn signal relay under the dash? the only thing that makes me think it isnt is because this affects only one, not both turn signals.

[mtnbikaah]

Have you changed the bulb? Even if it the filament doesn't look broken it may be broken. Try swapping bulbs left to right.

[lowandslowcb7]

Also check to see if the little plastic disk in the socket is seating correctly. I had an issue with that recently.

[ontheroad92]

^do i push that down? how do you do that?

switched the bulbs just out of curiosity. and they both came on. they're the same size bulb.

[ontheroad92]

and now the left one isn't working again.

[ontheroad92]

should i check the relay for turn signals in the under the dash fuse box? could that cause the issue even if it's only one side being affected? maybe there's something wrong with the lever at the steering wheel column?

[lowandslowcb7]

^do i push that down? how do you do that?

switched the bulbs just out of curiosity. and they both came on. they're the same size bulb.

You should be able to freely push it up and down. Swap harnesses from one side to the other they are the same.

[ontheroad92]

i did the switch. didn't help.

i decided to go and clean off and reagrease the headlight/turn signal combo switch on the steering wheel column via the tutorial on here. that solved the problem and the turn signals are fine now! hope they stay that way.

thanks everyone!

[ontheroad92]

...and it's doing it again. the bulb is moving up and down in the socket fine? the turn signals were working fine until today. now, i am dealing with the same issue, but this time it's on the passenger side as i switched the tail light harnesses.

looked online and it's pretty hard to find a replacement socket for a turn signal. there was one listed, but it's got 3 wires instead of 2.