Author Topic: Turn signal problem (Read 14568 times)

Meister · « **on:** April 29, 2009, 01:19:26 AM »

Ok so a couple days ago my right turn signal started acting up. It has done this before but after it sat for 8 hours or so it started working again.

Anyway, here is my problem. My right blinker works if my parking lights/headlights are off. If they are on, then my turn signal will just stay lit inside the car and also outside on the front and rear but only on the right side. I checked my fuses but all of them are good. Also all the bulbs are good. Does any one know what could be causing this??

romeomike · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2009, 01:30:42 AM »

The only thing I can think of at the moment is to replace the flasher and see if the problem goes away.

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2009, 08:55:42 PM »

Bad relay? Mine finally toasted itself this winter. I bet you have a short in the wiring, though.

sports.racer · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2009, 10:32:10 PM »

I'll take a look at the diagram tomorrow but my first thought is a bad ground.

sports.racer · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2009, 05:25:55 PM »

Go to your RH Front Turn/Park light and see if you have a ground at connector pin 1 (brown wire).

If that wire is open, the turn-signal circuit will find a ground through the parking light bulb.

Reference ETM 6313-1 and 6314-0.

Let us know what you find out.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2009, 04:52:26 PM »

Are all the bulbs the right wattage? Might be a bad ground, wet sockets or even a little corrosion too.

Maybe pull the front bulb, test, put it back...then pull the rear bulb and re-test? Should tell you which end is bad. Or swap bulbs from side to side to see if you can repeat the problem.

If the bulb resistance is too high the blinker relay can't blink the lights. I have this trouble on old bikes all the time. Swapping bulbs is an quick & easy way to figure out if it's a bad bulb or socket.

Meister · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2009, 09:06:23 AM »

Sorry for the late reply just been busy. I removed my rear bulb because it was staying lit. But I will check the front bulb and see if everything looks ok. I lost my manual so which relay belongs to the turn signals?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2009, 09:16:44 AM »

I think it's on the steering column, not in the box under the hood. I haven't been brave enough to take off the airbag steering wheel to find out.

Meister · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2009, 06:11:57 PM »

I still haven't had the time to look into this yet. I will post updates here once i get it fixed

DesktopDave · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2009, 09:25:51 PM »

You know, mine's been doing this on-and-off too. I though I had fixed it with a new taillight bulb, but now it's back. The right signal works fine. The left signal blinks fast, like a burned out bulb. Both bulbs blink fast, that is. Swapping the rear bulbs doesn't change their behavior permanently.

I didn't have any double-filament bulbs to test. I'll be looking into it further and let you know if I figure anything out.

I was curious and just tested it now, it's working just fine.

Meister · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2009, 05:20:48 AM »

Well as strange as this is, the problem sorta fixed it self. I took the front right bulb out and inspected it, then put it back in and everything is working fine now. When I took the bulb out it was not loose or anything.

318isfolife · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2009, 10:47:50 AM »

my right front turn signal always acts up. i just don't feel like replacing it but its the actual bulb socket on my car it will blink fast sometimes like its blown but when i get out they both are blinking fast lol. or i will have my headlights on and that bulb will be out but the turn signal works fine. i can tap the yellow cover on the front right bulb and they will blink normal/ light comes back on for about a week then it will loosen it self back out again. or i can go up behind the light and start playing with the wires and socket and it will be good for about a month. but its crazy what just a little problem like the connection on the socket being bad can make so many different outcomes. anyways i hope this can help you in someway!

DesktopDave · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2009, 11:45:23 AM »

Mine came back. I'm thinking it's the connector in the front bumper. Looks like the cover has to come off to get at it. I'll try again sometime this week & post pics. I might try to source some ellips & a spare driver's fog light lens before I tackle this again.

sports.racer · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2009, 06:23:44 PM »

Quote from: 318isfolife;72526

but its crazy what just a little problem like the connection on the socket being bad can make so many different outcomes.

That's because electricity is always looking for a ground and will do what ever it takes or go where ever it needs to find it.

Look at the diagrams I referenced above and it will be come clear why this is.

318isfolife · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2009, 03:02:00 PM »

Quote from: sports.racer;72544

That's because electricity is always looking for a ground and will do what ever it takes or go where ever it needs to find it.

Look at the diagrams I referenced above and it will be come clear why this is.

yeah path of least resistance..... i had a sienna in our shop one time that was blowing all sorts of fuses and doing some weird stuff like when the head lights are on the parking lights and turn signal would not work. and the brake lights would work when the lights were off and only with the car off. it turned out the owner had tried replacing the tail lights and switched them around. just a little thing like that can cause so much electrical mayhem.