Hello, I have an issue that recently popped up with one of the rear blinkers on my HHR. The bulb itself works, but when I put the turn signal on, it does not blink. I have tried three different bulbs, all with the same result. I even took it to Autozone today to get advice, but when bulb grease didn't work, the manager there was clueless as he had not seen this type of problem with lights, before. Would it be something as simple as changing out the socket, or more likely a costly electrical issue?

 

Welcome to the site.

The rear bulb are double filament type.

Two questions. Do the rear running lights work and do the rear brake lights work?

 

Either that Lucky, or the turn signal switch itself has snuffed it.

Usually they fail in the standard manner of not "cancelling" after a turn, but they can crap out internally so they fail to function entirely.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-...ts-pics-37992/

 

Welcome to the site! Does the front bulb on that side flash? If so then a new pigtail is in order. If the fronts don't flash then the turn signal switch, it is fairly easy to replace

 

Thanks for the replies, all.

The front signal DOES work, as do the break and running lights.

Not entirely sure what a pigtail is, but will be easy enough to figure out. :-)

 

Pigtail is the wire harness that goes back from the control to the tail light assembly.

 

A good investment would be an inexpensive "Power Probe" from your local auto parts store, or even Sears.

That way you can check for Power and Ground, its likely that the "pigtail" or the bulb socket(s) have failed.

The sockets have shown a tendency to melt on occasion.

 

The piece with the blue clip is the pig tail, the other is the socket.
The pigtail is spliced into the wiring harness if that part has failed.

http://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/301782368487

 

I believe the logic that switches the brake lamp feeds over from brake to turn is all done within the body control module, unlike earlier systems that had a changeover switch in the turn switch assembly that disconnected the lamps from the brake circuit on the side you selected the turn signal. If the front indicators are working, and the brake lights are also working then the BCM isn't outputting the flashing signal - on the same wire that is feeding the brake lights.

 

A test light or multi meter will tell the tail er tale!!!