4 way flashers will not shut off unless battery is disconnected or the red wires are disconnected from the printed circuit board the flasher is in it also,brake lights do not work either

I would bet bad flasher. Try swapping the flasher for the emergency lights with the turn signal light. GM's have two flashers and usually one is easy to get to and one not so easy. If there is a new flasher, give if a minute to try to operate. I use to sell auto parts and the first use of a flasher would take 30 seconds or so, something to do with manufacturing. Good luck.

First why disconnect the switch?
Second why not remove the fuse or the flasher relay instead of disconnecting the switch (if it HAS to be disconnected)?

The switch may be a normally closed type meaning when it's connected and in the off position it has current running through it to power a solenoid or similar item. Once it's disconnected it's like you are turning the switch "On" since when it's in the off position it sends power out, disconnecting it cuts the power to keep the lights from being switched "On" by a secondary solenoid switching device which is wired normally closed, meaning if it looses power it will go to it's normally closed position which is "On". Powering the solenoid will open the circuit & keep the flashers turned "Off" disconnecting the power from running to the flasher circuit.

This may or may not be exactly how your vehicles flashers are wired but rather an explanation of how this could be possible.

That's how disconnecting the switch may still have power running to your flashers, this is just an example of how it could be done, it requires 2 separate circuits independent from each other but the 1st circuit controls the other. The first circuit will only have a small amount of power running through it, while the solenoid switch will have a large current draw. This keeps your switch from having to run all the current through it. That would make the switch be much larger and more likely to have problems also, fire is not good and saving space in you dash is helpful along with reducing the amount of large wires running up through your dash. There is much more room for those things to be located elsewhere.

Front right and rear right are on a different circuit than the left front an left rear. Locate the Flasher control module behind dash. With key in RUN position check for pulsing battery voltage on the Green/white wire coming out of the flasher control module electrical connector. If no battery voltage, check for battery voltage coming into the flasher from the turn signal switch on the white/red wire. Left turn input is on the white/black wire. If not battery voltage on white/red, but voltage on white/black when turning left, then the turn signal switch is bad

Hi Jeff , do you know how to test electrical circuits using a DVOM - digital volt ohm meter ? How to read an use a wiring diagram to pin point testing points in the turn signal circuits ? Here is a web site for free wiring diagrams http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html .Enter vehicle info year ,make , model an engine size . Under system click on lighting ,then under subsystem click on turn signal lamp , Click the search button then the blue link . Then watch this videos an then test the power and grounds ,inputs to the Combination Flasher !
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More than likely the electronic turn signal flasher is defective.
Instructions

1. Remove the Old Flasher Relay
   • Using your socket wrench, disconnect the negative cable from the car's battery terminal. The negative terminal and cable are identified on the top of the battery using the minus ("--") symbol. Once the cable is disconnected, wrap the metal end completely with the black electrical tape. Lay the cable down and make sure it's not touching any metal surfaces.
     
   • 2Open the driver side front door and kneel or position yourself so that you're able to see under the dashboard.
     

   
   

   • 3Locate the automotive flasher relay under the dashboard on the right-hand side. The flasher relay is about the same size as an ice cube. It will be held in place by one screw and will have a three-pronged wiring harness connected to it.
     
   • 4Remove the screw holding the flasher relay in place and slowly lower it from underneath the dashboard.
     
   • 5Hold the flasher relay in one hand, and with the other hand gently disconnect the wiring harness plug from the relay. Never separate the flasher relay by pulling the harness off by the wires, always hold the plastic harness plug itself.
     
   Install the New Flasher Relay
   • 6Inspect the new flasher relay to make sure it isn't damaged. Hold the new flasher relay and the old one side by side and compare them, ensuring that they are exactly the same.
     
   • 7Carefully plug the wiring harness connector into the new flasher relay. Make sure no other wires are intertwined as you raise the flasher and harness back into position under the dashboard.
     
   • 8Secure the flasher relay by returning its mounting screw.
     
   • 9Unwrap the negative battery cable's connector and reattach it to the car's battery terminal. Turn the power on or start your car and test out the new flasher relay to make sure it's working properly
     

The hazards and the flashers are on seperate circuits.When the flashers are working properly you will hear a clicking during operation.If not,check all the bulbs.If both flashers don't work it may be a blown fuse,faulty flasher unit or a loose wire or connection.Probably the flasher unit.Make sure the new one is the same as the old one by comparing the two,On yours,its a combination flasher and hazard unit.It will need to be replaced.its small and cost is minimal.When you do replace the unit,disconnect the neg. cable from the battery.The unit relay may be blue in color.Hope this helps

Indicator Flasher The turn signals and the hazard warning flasher switch (13A350) use the same indicator flasher (13350). The indicator flasher is located behind the instrument panel (04320), to the right of the interior fuse junction panel. When activated, the indicator flasher flashes the appropriate turn signal lamps.

Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).
   

1. Press the indicator flasher tab and slide the indicator flasher from the mounting bracket.
   

1. Disconnect the indicator flasher electrical connector from the wiring harness.
   

If you mean the flasher, which makes the turn signals and hazards to blink, then...

It's a combo flasher which operates both the turn signals and the hazard lights. To access the combo flasher with ease remove the drivers knee bolster and then remove the brake release cable end from the handles notch, then disconnect the harness from the trunk release switch. Next there will be a reinforcement panel, remove that as well. Finally locate and replace the combo flasher from behind this panel. It is a black box that has a harness connected to it with a pink wire, a black and yellow wire, a red wire, a dark blue and pink wire, and finally a black wire. To help locate the flasher either turn the turn signal on or apply the hazards and listen for its location.

I believe it is your factory anti-theft system. check your owners manual for how to disengage same.

Right, it is a combo flasher which operates both the turn signals and the hazard lights. To access the combo flasher with ease remove the drivers knee bolster and then remove the brake release cable end from the handles notch, then disconnect the harness from the trunk release switch. Next there will be a reinforcement panel, remove that as well. Finally locate and replace the combo flasher from behind this panel. It is a black box that has a harness connected to it with a pink wire, a black and yellow wire, a red wire, a dark blue and pink wire, and finally a black wire. To help locate the flasher either turn the turn signal on or apply the hazards and listen for its location.