Community Forums

Dr4Film · 12-08-2009, 09:33 PM

Okay, I give up and I am now looking to the iRV2 group to help me out.

I need to replace the directional & hazard waring flasher in my 2006 Saturn VUE. The original one isn't strong enough to drive all of the lamps when I am hooked to my Pace trailer. Therefore, I want to install a heavy duty one.

Only one problem, where is the dang thing??? I hear it but cannot see it. It has to be somewhere inside the dash as I hear it clicking away when using the turn signals. It's got to be there but I am not about to rip apart the dash trying to find it.

Has anyone had this done or has done it on a 2006 Saturn VUE? Your help and guidance would be very useful.

Please, Please, Please, Help, Help, Help.

Thanks!

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

RV Wizard · 12-09-2009, 02:55 AM

I just went and looked at ours. You will have to remove the bottom dash cover panel to gain access to all the wiring. I did not take it down but know the flasher is @ drivers side, over the pedals. Good luck and keep us posted.

Dr4Film · 12-10-2009, 10:38 AM

Thanks for the tip RV Wizard, I will check it out soon as I have recently been dealing with a slide-out control board problem. I remember having that panel off recently when I installed the electric brake controller. It will be simple to remove it again. I hope it's there. And also, I hope that it is round 2-prong flasher as that is what I had purchased at the auto store, a heavy duty flasher. I think sometimes these flasher relays are multiple contacts and look like a square box.

RV Wizard · 12-11-2009, 01:53 AM

Sorry, I do not know what flasher is used, as I do not tow anything with mine.

Dr4Film · 01-02-2010, 06:50 AM

I finally had the time and better weather to check for the flasher location yesterday. I removed the black panel under the dash on the driver's side and looked around while the flasher was working. Nothing..... I could hear it but couldn't find it.

Then called the local Saturn dealer and talked with the scheduling tech. He claims that the middle of the dash needs to be removed where the 4-way button is located to acess the flasher. This is way more than I want to get into. Basically, it'll be over a $300 bill to replace a $10 part. The existing flasher works but it needs a HD one to drive the additional trailer lights when it is attached. Since I don't plan to haul the trailer on the road and only will hook up to it in RV Parks to relocate it when staying for a while, it'll have to go without.

Thanks for the help and advice, though. What year Saturn do you have? I have an '06 Vue.

Happy New Year!

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

Wayne M · 01-02-2010, 07:50 AM

Have you considered a wiring kit with either diodes or separate lights? On my 2007 Vue I used the Demco (not Remco, but Remco is a good place to start) wiring kit that came with my tow bar. It requires an additional hole to be drilled in the light assembly, but after that it is a quick disconnect at the front bumper of the TOAD to hook/unhook.

Just an option...

Dr4Film · 01-03-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Have you considered a wiring kit with either diodes or separate lights? Just an option...

Hi Wayne,

Sorry, this question was in regards to replacing the flasher on my toad not wiring the toad for towing. I have already wired the toad with 6 diodes and cable, works great. But if you have a solution in how to replace my flasher easily, I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks......

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

RV Wizard · 01-04-2010, 03:03 AM

Richard, Our Vue is an 06 V6 AWD. I thought for sure the flasher was more easily accessible than I guess it really is. Sorry.

DAN L · 01-04-2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

Okay, I give up and I am now looking to the iRV2 group to help me out.

I need to replace the directional & hazard waring flasher in my 2006 Saturn VUE. The original one isn't strong enough to drive all of the lamps when I am hooked to my Pace trailer. Therefore, I want to install a heavy duty one.

Only one problem, where is the dang thing??? I hear it but cannot see it. It has to be somewhere inside the dash as I hear it clicking away when using the turn signals. It's got to be there but I am not about to rip apart the dash trying to find it.

Has anyone had this done or has done it on a 2006 Saturn VUE? Your help and guidance would be very useful.

Please, Please, Please, Help, Help, Help.

Thanks!

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

change the trailer lights to led units. they draw much less current and the flasher will not know that they are connected.

Dr4Film · 01-05-2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN L

change the trailer lights to led units. they draw much less current and the flasher will not know that they are connected.

Hey Dan,

Now there's a brilliant idea that won't cost an arm & a leg. I appreciate your thoughts. I will look into it this weekend to see where I can find acceptable replacements. The back has two vertical elongated red lights, and each side has one small angled amber turn light located midway on the trailer.

Thanks again, I knew someone would come through with a solution on this forum. iRV2 is one of the best "tools" to have in your fix-it toolbox.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

DAN L · 01-05-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr4Film

Hey Dan,

Now there's a brilliant idea that won't cost an arm & a leg. I appreciate your thoughts. I will look into it this weekend to see where I can find acceptable replacements. The back has two vertical elongated red lights, and each side has one small angled amber turn light located midway on the trailer.

Thanks again, I knew someone would come through with a solution on this forum. iRV2 is one of the best "tools" to have in your fix-it toolbox.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

my 02 nissan altima doesn't have a stand alone flasher unit. the ecm does this duty.

with led lights, my turn sigs work fine.

DriVer · 01-10-2010, 08:13 PM

Please read and comment on the following recommendations in regard to automotive flashers with combination, filament and LED bulbs. I believe that a flasher technology change is in order to support both types of lamps.

HERE: ....

Dr4Film · 01-27-2010, 08:39 PM

I wanted to followup with this post to make sure I wrapped up this thread with my resolution for others that may be reading this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN L

Change the trailer lights to led units. They draw much less current and the flasher will not know that they are connected.

Dan,

Just finished installing 4 Model 60 Oval LED Stop/Tail/Directional lights on the rear of my trailer. There wasn't any LED replacement for the 2 amber directional/side markers, so I had to leave them as is. All the lights work great now with my standard Saturn flasher.

Dan, thanks so much for your idea and suggestion. It worked out great and saved me a lot of money and headaches.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer

Please read and comment on the following recommendations in regard to automotive flashers with combination, filament and LED bulbs. I believe that a flasher technology change is in order to support both types of lamps.

HERE: ....

DriVer,

After reading the article that you had referenced, my understanding is that the conflict is more for people who are wanting to replace their vehicle lamps with LED's. Not so sure that it pertains to tow trailers with LED's. According to the article, If they mix the two within the same vehicle, it could cause problems. So if anyone wants to do just that, they would need to replace all of them in addition to making sure that the flasher is the correct type to drive them.

In my case, the Saturn has all filament type bulbs, and now the trailer has a mixture of filament and LED's. So far, I haven't observed any problems and feel that it has solved my problem.

Thanks for the information, it's always handy to have information like that stored away in my reference arsenal.

Best to all!

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

DAN L · 01-27-2010, 08:52 PM

[QUOTE=Dr4Film;594108]I wanted to followup with this post to make sure I wrapped up this thread with my resolution for others that may be reading this thread.

Dan,

Just finished installing 4 Model 60 Oval LED Stop/Tail/Directional lights on the rear of my trailer. There wasn't any LED replacement for the 2 amber directional/side markers, so I had to leave them as is. All the lights work great now with my standard Saturn flasher.

Dan, thanks so much for your idea and suggestion. It worked out great and saved me a lot of money and headaches.

richard,
you are welcome!

i am glad that it worked out for you.