I have checked all of the bulbs and flasher....TWICE. I am not getting anything, no fault light...no nothing when I turn the signals on or hit the brakes. No emergency lights either. Also, there is a cylinder shaped (actuator)? at the inside bottom of the column that gets hot as a pistol when the key is turned to the on position. It has a braided steel cable that connects to a shaft entering the top of it that is moved up and down by turning the ignition. I found it when I was searching for harness connections to the column switches. I checked the wiring around it and there are no burns or damage to them. Not sure if the two issues are connected.

It could be the ignition switchCheck to see if other items work like the wipers and heater fan.

it really helps to know what motorhome model year etccsounds like the ignition switch is at the bottom of cablethe cable operated by the key, turms on the switchsounds like the switch has shorted out , using the cable for ground

You say the tail lights are all out, I assume the front and side markers still work, If so check grounds to the rear. May want to use a jumper to ensure you have a ground to verify.Good luck.

1998 Chevy P30 - No Brake Lights or Turn Signals

12 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
Jun 14, 2018
john.engel wrote:
All running lights, backup lights are working...

It is a 1998 Fleetwood Flaire, Chevy P30 Chassis

That braided steel cable is like a brake cable on a bike...it is not a conduit for wiring...it is just the cable to the shaft on this switch or whatever it is that is lifted and lowered by turning the ignition. The "switch" itself is about the size of a large old school turn signal flasher. It has a two wire harness connected to it.

THAT SOUNDS like a cable for the shift linkage for the transmission
if so that should only move when the gear selector is moved, not when the key is turned

so whAT ? piece is getting hot, a few pictures would help
77rollalong
Explorer
Jun 14, 2018
The Ignition electrical switch is just below the upper steering shaft mount, just below that is the neutral switch, hope this pic helps
this may also help too
john_engel
Explorer
Jun 14, 2018
MrWizard wrote:
it really helps to know what motorhome model year etcc

sounds like the ignition switch is at the bottom of cable
the cable operated by the key, turms on the switch
sounds like the switch has shorted out , using the cable for ground

The ignition switch is on top of the column where they normally are...using a steel rod actuator. There is something else near the bottom of the column that is heating up.
john_engel
Explorer
Jun 14, 2018
All running lights, backup lights are working...

It is a 1998 Fleetwood Flaire, Chevy P30 Chassis

That braided steel cable is like a brake cable on a bike...it is not a conduit for wiring...it is just the cable to the shaft on this switch or whatever it is that is lifted and lowered by turning the ignition. The "switch" itself is about the size of a large old school turn signal flasher. It has a two wire harness connected to it.
haydoracin
Explorer
Jun 14, 2018
When this happened on my 1994 P-30 it was a blown fuse in the fuse panel under the dash. Cause was toad light wiring.
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 13, 2018
OP reports "brake lights and turn signals". No mention of taillights or clearance lights.
These all use the same filament in bulbs. They operate while ignition switch is in the "on" position when operating properly.
MrWizard
Moderator
Jun 13, 2018
DUH ! sorry

time for evening coffee

where ever the actuator cable is going, it should NOT be getting hot

there is a worn wire, shorting to ground thru that cable

1998 i wonder if that actuator is switch for the 'autopark'

automatic parking brake, IF yes, that steel braided cable protects wires running down to the transmission where the auto park module is

there are several people on here that should know

i'm running on memory from previous posts on this subject

i think its 'old bear' that is the expert on this
kerrlakeRoo
Explorer
Jun 13, 2018
You say the tail lights are all out, I assume the front and side markers still work, If so check grounds to the rear. May want to use a jumper to ensure you have a ground to verify.
Good luck.
enblethen
Nomad
Jun 13, 2018
1998 chev P-30 in subject line
MrWizard
Moderator
Jun 13, 2018
it really helps to know what motorhome model year etcc

sounds like the ignition switch is at the bottom of cable
the cable operated by the key, turms on the switch
sounds like the switch has shorted out , using the cable for ground