How Do I Replace the Directional Flashers on a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero?

The directional flashers on the 2001 Oldsmobile Alero are commonly called turn signals; when you have all four flashing at once, they are commonly called four-ways. The process for changing the front flashers is different than the process for changing the rear flashers simply because the housings for the front lights are built into the headlight enclosures and the housings for the rear lights are built into the taillight enclosures.

Front Flashers

• 1

  Open the engine hood and prop it on the hood prop.

• 2

  Locate the clear lens on the front of the headlight enclosure. Use that as a starting point to locate the back of the enclosure located inside the engine bay. The bulb for the flasher is located on the outside end of the headlight enclosure on the front corner of the car.

• 3

  Grasp the bulb socket and turn it counterclockwise to release it from the headlight enclosure. Pull the socket and bulb out of the enclosure.

• 4

  Pull the bulb out of the socket and push the new bulb into the socket.

• 5

  Place the bulb into the enclosure and turn the socket clockwise to lock it in place. Complete these steps on the other side of the Alero to change the other front flasher.

Rear Flashers

• 1

  Open the trunk.

• 2

  Peel the carpet back from the rear edge of the trunk closest to the taillights and then locate the socket closest to the rear corner of the Alero.

• 3

  Turn the socket counterclockwise and pull it and the bulb away from the taillight enclosure.

• 4

  Pull the bulb out of the socket and push the new bulb into the socket.

• 5

  Put the bulb back into the taillight enclosure and turn the socket clockwise to lock it in place. Complete these steps on the other side of the vehicle to change the other rear flasher.