1989 Buick Park Avenue - Blinker, dash, cv axle issues?

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wildlifewarrior07

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I just got my car, and the right blinker doesn't work at all, the dash doesn't have a backlight, and somethings not right with the CV axle (I think that's what he said). My question is, how do I replace the bulb behind the dash, as I was told it isn't a fuse problem? My right blinker doesn't work at all now, but when it did, I had to flick it up and down to get it to blink. Is there a way to fix that? And as for the CV axle, What is that, can it be fixed, how much would it cost, and what can happen if it doesn't get fixed? Thanks!!!
 
Okay here we go. The CV axle does 2 very important things for your car. It provides power from your transmission and applies it to your wheels letting you move forward and backwards. Also they let you turn smoothly by keeping the shaft at a Constant Velocity around the corner. Your CV axle is directly on the inside of your tire. it's the black boot things that kinda looks like an accordion on both wheels. check these black boots for cracks, don't be scared, you can push the folds apart to check. if there are any holes, you need to get the boots replaced. that's not so bad as far as safety goes so far. If you are driving (please go slow) and turn the wheels sharply you will hear a banging clunking noise. this is your CV axle failing. This is bad. When these fail, you may lose control of the vehicle from the bearings inside failing and piling up and jamming. generally they just fly apart and all the bearings go everywhere then you won't be able to get any power to the wheels so you can't go anywhere. It can be fixed, probably 4-5 hours shop time. please get the CV shafts fixed. As for the "blinker", we'll call it a signal light. Check the signal light bulbs. there will be some screws holding the light lenses in, but with a little searching and a screwdriver you can check the bulbs themselves and make sure they are fine. With the blinker not working at all and you have to move it up and down i assume you are talking about the multifunction switch on the left side of the steering wheel. (the one that works your wipers, signals and cruise control on some vehicles) If the problem is that you move it to turn on your signal, it doesn't stay in the up position you need a new switch. There is a little piece of plastic in the switch that locks it in place till your wheel turns the opposite way to turn it off. if the switch stays up when you push it you may just need a signal flasher. it's what actually turns the light on and off when you're switch is engaged. The bulb with the dash could be a problem with the dimmer switch.
 
Okay here we go. The CV axle does 2 very important things for your car. It provides power from your transmission and applies it to your wheels letting you move forward and backwards. Also they let you turn smoothly by keeping the shaft at a Constant Velocity around the corner. Your CV axle is directly on the inside of your tire. it's the black boot things that kinda looks like an accordion on both wheels. check these black boots for cracks, don't be scared, you can push the folds apart to check. if there are any holes, you need to get the boots replaced. that's not so bad as far as safety goes so far. If you are driving (please go slow) and turn the wheels sharply you will hear a banging clunking noise. this is your CV axle failing. This is bad. When these fail, you may lose control of the vehicle from the bearings inside failing and piling up and jamming. generally they just fly apart and all the bearings go everywhere then you won't be able to get any power to the wheels so you can't go anywhere. It can be fixed, probably 4-5 hours shop time. please get the CV shafts fixed. As for the "blinker", we'll call it a signal light. Check the signal light bulbs. there will be some screws holding the light lenses in, but with a little searching and a screwdriver you can check the bulbs themselves and make sure they are fine. With the blinker not working at all and you have to move it up and down i assume you are talking about the multifunction switch on the left side of the steering wheel. (the one that works your wipers, signals and cruise control on some vehicles) If the problem is that you move it to turn on your signal, it doesn't stay in the up position you need a new switch. There is a little piece of plastic in the switch that locks it in place till your wheel turns the opposite way to turn it off. if the switch stays up when you push it you may just need a signal flasher. it's what actually turns the light on and off when you're switch is engaged. The bulb with the dash could be a problem with the dimmer switch.
 
Okay here we go. The CV axle does 2 very important things for your car. It provides power from your transmission and applies it to your wheels letting you move forward and backwards. Also they let you turn smoothly by keeping the shaft at a Constant Velocity around the corner. Your CV axle is directly on the inside of your tire. it's the black boot things that kinda looks like an accordion on both wheels. check these black boots for cracks, don't be scared, you can push the folds apart to check. if there are any holes, you need to get the boots replaced. that's not so bad as far as safety goes so far. If you are driving (please go slow) and turn the wheels sharply you will hear a banging clunking noise. this is your CV axle failing. This is bad. When these fail, you may lose control of the vehicle from the bearings inside failing and piling up and jamming. generally they just fly apart and all the bearings go everywhere then you won't be able to get any power to the wheels so you can't go anywhere. It can be fixed, probably 4-5 hours shop time. please get the CV shafts fixed. As for the "blinker", we'll call it a signal light. Check the signal light bulbs. there will be some screws holding the light lenses in, but with a little searching and a screwdriver you can check the bulbs themselves and make sure they are fine. With the blinker not working at all and you have to move it up and down i assume you are talking about the multifunction switch on the left side of the steering wheel. (the one that works your wipers, signals and cruise control on some vehicles) If the problem is that you move it to turn on your signal, it doesn't stay in the up position you need a new switch. There is a little piece of plastic in the switch that locks it in place till your wheel turns the opposite way to turn it off. if the switch stays up when you push it you may just need a signal flasher. it's what actually turns the light on and off when you're switch is engaged. The bulb with the dash could be a problem with the dimmer switch.
 
Okay here we go. The CV axle does 2 very important things for your car. It provides power from your transmission and applies it to your wheels letting you move forward and backwards. Also they let you turn smoothly by keeping the shaft at a Constant Velocity around the corner. Your CV axle is directly on the inside of your tire. it's the black boot things that kinda looks like an accordion on both wheels. check these black boots for cracks, don't be scared, you can push the folds apart to check. if there are any holes, you need to get the boots replaced. that's not so bad as far as safety goes so far. If you are driving (please go slow) and turn the wheels sharply you will hear a banging clunking noise. this is your CV axle failing. This is bad. When these fail, you may lose control of the vehicle from the bearings inside failing and piling up and jamming. generally they just fly apart and all the bearings go everywhere then you won't be able to get any power to the wheels so you can't go anywhere. It can be fixed, probably 4-5 hours shop time. please get the CV shafts fixed. As for the "blinker", we'll call it a signal light. Check the signal light bulbs. there will be some screws holding the light lenses in, but with a little searching and a screwdriver you can check the bulbs themselves and make sure they are fine. With the blinker not working at all and you have to move it up and down i assume you are talking about the multifunction switch on the left side of the steering wheel. (the one that works your wipers, signals and cruise control on some vehicles) If the problem is that you move it to turn on your signal, it doesn't stay in the up position you need a new switch. There is a little piece of plastic in the switch that locks it in place till your wheel turns the opposite way to turn it off. if the switch stays up when you push it you may just need a signal flasher. it's what actually turns the light on and off when you're switch is engaged. The bulb with the dash could be a problem with the dimmer switch.
 
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