Still trying to understand my turn signals

[1project2many]

So, is this normal not to have power going THROUGH it if I don't have a load?

That is the question I answered. The flasher usually has power going through it. But if it's an electronic type it might not supply power until the directional lights are connected. If the flasher's very light weight it's probably a "regular" flasher. If you don't get power through it there's a real possibility that it's failed.