$600 REPAIR FOR BURNED OUT TAILIGHTS!?!

edelenadam · August 13, 2002

I have to ask you guys this: Got a '95 Z and the other day the driverside stoplight and turn signal went out. Checked the bulbs and they were blown. So, I replace them, check to see if they work.....no good. So I proceed to check the fuses and they're all good. Thinking it might have something to do with a recall, I went to my local Chevy dealership. The guy tells me that it is some signal box(I think he called it) behend the steering wheel, located underneath the column. $300 in parts, $300 in labor('cause they have to pull the wheel and the column). I have never heard of such a thing but thought one of you guys might have. The service center guy said it had happend to his too. Just confused and frustrated. Any help or coments will be greatly appreciated.

Zane · August 13, 2002

hmm, i'm not sure what the answer is, but it sounds fishy.

nonstop · August 14, 2002

Fishy? That down right sticks!!!

Dosen't surprise me though, after all,

all electrionc parts cost between 500-1000 bucks (abs module, 4x4 switch module)

regcab02HD · August 14, 2002

Believe it or not, $300 sounds about right for the part. My dad had to have the part that controls the flashers changed. The part you are talking about might be the same piece.

$300 for labor sounds high to me. I think his labor was around $60.

I hope this helps.

GnatGoSplat · August 14, 2002

Why would a 95 have such a complicated flashing system when my 99 just has a little solid-state flasher relay (probably no more than $30 tops)?

ClipperSkipper · August 15, 2002

It doesn't. If the multi-function switch was inoperative, that's an easy fix, and you don't have to "pull" anything apart.

Honestly over the past three months I have heard numerous

accounts of consumers getting boned by Dealerships.

Making up for the 0% APR?

Have a great one!

edelenadam · August 21, 2002

I don't suppose you would mind elaborating on the "simple fix" part would you? I figured I could probably bypass the switch with an inline fuse and/or relay but that would still involve gettin pretty down and dirty with the project.

Dihappy · August 21, 2002

Thats crazy! Even if the part costs $300, labor is only $65/hr

Theres no way it would take 4 1/2 hours to do that!

GreenRado · August 21, 2002

Can't say about the part, but I'd get another opinion on the labor charges.

If you can get the part number (sometimes they'll give it to ya), you can get retail and your cost info also.

August 22, 2002

Can't say about the part, but I'd get another opinion on the labor charges.

~My thoughts exactly~ ???

edelenadam · August 23, 2002

Here is the information I have gathered so far. I have been told that the switch is located between the wheel and the dash. In doing this, Chevy made the wires prone to pinching and, in turn, shorting out by the tilt wheel. The switch is not neccessarily the problem(which was a relief). It could just be a short in the harness or the wires themselves. It can be done(I'm told) by a talented shadetree mechanic but is not alot of fun. I guess I'll crack into it sometime this weekend. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

HDChuck01 · July 15, 2003

Just got a call from the dealer on my turn signals "clicking" like they are on when they are not. Flasher control module (330.00 + 2 hrs. labor for a total of around 500.00 bucks) I can live with the sound for 500.00 bucks i guess. Sounds completely ridiculous for something that should be simple like turn signals. Any thoughts???

99-2door · July 15, 2003

Check the circuit board in the taillight to see if it is good, plug it into one of your buddy's trucks. It is pretty common for this part to go out. There is no part involved in the turn signal operation that should cost that much to replace. You could buy a complete steering column at the salvage yard for less than that. Are your brake lights working on that side or not? I recently had to replace the end of the harness on the right side of my Tahoe because it wouldn't make good contact with the board (the taillights worked but not the brake light or the turn signal). Lot's of things it could be here, but nothing that would be hard to find with a test light and a wiring diagram. I would check the taillight end of things out first, the fact that your left turn signal works doesn't point to any fault in the column or relays. If the dealership gets $600 bucks for something like this, I definitely have to start charging more!