Turn signal issue

[Ryan96WS6]

My left turn signal has gone from working on occasion to not working at all. All of the bulbs work. All wiring appears to be in good shape. The brake lights and hazards work. When the hazards are on, it is dimmer on the left side. Specifically the left of the two bulbs that flash on that side. My Haynes manual says if it only effects one side then it is a faulty bulb and not a bad flasher.
Since I've owned the car (7yrs) the left turn signal has required more force than normal to use. It does still go into position, just won't flash or click on that side.
The manual does not offer a check for a bad Turn signal switch. Could I need a new turn signal switch? That is my suspicion, but I am hoping not to have to replace that.

[Blazer]

Could be a bad ground, but I will put money on a bad bulb. How did you check your bulbs.

[Ryan96WS6]

How did you check your bulbs.

Turned on the headlights and hazards.

All bulbs light normally except the left of the two center bulbs on the left tail light. It still lights up, just not normally.
For example, with the hazards on, normal operation has the top element in the bulb stay lit while the lower element flashes. On that one bulb the top element flashes weakly and the lower element does nothing. I have swapped bulbs and they all do the same thing when installed there.
For the left turn signal, I did get it to work today with that bulb and clip out of the tail light. There didn't seem to be any one position that I held it or moved it that made a difference. I could get it to work however by moving it if it was not working. Since it works sometimes, it seems to point to some kind of wiring problem, or maybe the clip the bulb attaches to.

[sneitzel]

...the left turn signal has required more force than normal to use. It does still go into position, just won't flash or click on that side...

Unfortunately, that does sound like a switch issue to me.
Never done one on my Camaro but I did do one on my 79 Formula. It wasn't horrible, but requires some specialized tools which can be "loaned" form AutoZone.

[Blazer]

I have had bad sockets on the bird, that would work off and on. The socket looked good but once I replaced it things were ok.

[Ryan96WS6]

I am leaning towards the socket now. That will be the first thing I replace.

[Wild Willy]

Be sure to check for corrosion on all the grounds- especially since we are talking about a 14-year-old vehicle here. Oxidation happens....

[FTA1995]

Along with what willy is saying; It took me quite a long time to figure out why my turn signals were messed up when I bought my 95, ends up all of the grounds on the signals were messed up, somehow the tail lights worked until I hit the brakes.... etc.
Grounding issues have very weird symptoms sometimes, triple check before you buy any new parts.

[Z Ya Later]

From the symptoms you're describing, I'd put my money on the bulb. I had the same symptom on the Z not too long ago, only it was the front main turn signal bulb. Easy fix, just make sure you get the right socket. Some may look right but won't fit properly. Also, when you hook it up, make sure you test the wiring before crimping or soldering everything together. Hope this helps.

[Ryan96WS6]

After messing with it for a while the other day, it has been working fine. I think this is temporary and will take a closer look at the grounds and sockets. Thanks for the replies.