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I replaced my headlight/dimmer switch in my 89 B2 because the taillights were staying on. It fixed it. But now when I hitthe brakes the turn siganl indicators on the dash light up. I also have no turn signals or hazards, other than when I hit the brakes. Could it be the switch I replaced. Or could I have bumped the multifunction on. Thanks
You replaced the dimmer switch in the column(the multi-function switch) because the taillights where staying on. Do you mean the brake lights where staying on? Because the multi-function switch has nothing to do with the taillights(running lights).
Anyway, you went into the steering column, replaced the switch, and now you have different problems. Looking at it logically, I would say the new problems didn't arise till you messed with the column, so I would open it back up and take a look again. It's very easy to get some wires pinched when putting the column back together. The plug that plugs into the multi-function switch is also famous for getting hot and melting, so I would look it over real good.
Also check all your fuses. One may have been blown accidently during this work in the column.
No I didn't mess with the column switch. I changed the one in the dash for the headlights/running lights and now when I hitthe brakes my turn signals come on. I can't get the turn signals or the hazards to work other than when I hit the brakes they act like brake lights.
Ok, that makes sense now. It sounds like you have a grounding problem at the rear lights. This could be a bad connection at the brass part of the bulb to the socket connection, or a bad connection where the ground bolts to the rear body.
But, since both side are doing it, I think you might have a ground problem in the harness, or the whole bed has become ungrounded. If you have a lot of rust, or have just painted the frame, you may not be getting a good ground.
What happens is you have a bulb with two filaments in it. The ground side of the filaments are tied together at the brass part of the bulb. When you activate the headlights, power goes back through the one filament in the bulb, but since you have a bad ground, cannot complete the circuit to ground. So it flows backwards through the other filament, and runs up front where it turns the lights on in the dash indicators.