Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
When I use my turn signals, 4 out of 5 times the signal dies after 2 or three blinks. I then have to hit the "Hazard Light (Red Triangle)" button multiple times to get the signals to come back on. That fixes the probelm, but only for that time. If I go to use the signals again I have to use the "Hazard Light (Red Triangle)" button to make them funtion for a longer period of time.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Your problem is electrical, and all of the components involving the the turn signals will need to be inspected. Unfortunately it takes some trial and error in testing to find the component that is failing. Considering the hazard button tends to have an effect, you want to concentrate on the components these two parts shared.
Start by checking the multifunction switch. These switches can fail or have a bad connection giving you the intermittent symptom you’re experiencing. Another component they share is the flasher unit which sends the signal back and forth between the left and right side of the car. These typically won’t be the cause of symptoms like you have unless the connection to the flasher is damaged. The wiring connections running through the steering column can become damaged, but it is likely a switch at fault.
Further testing of your turn signal light is needed and it may be done best by a technician who is familiar with tracing electrical problems, such as one from YourMechanic.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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A faulty switch can be one of the main reasons why the turn signals don`t work. It is also good to check the parking lights, which usually utilize the turn signal bulbs. If the parking lights and hazards come on, but that side doesn`t illuminate when you hit the switch, then it`s a circuit problem.
Answer: The most common problem is a shorted light bulb causing trouble, an electrical short in the signal switch, or bad flasher relay.
Like all of the lights on and in a vehicle, turn signals rely on a fuse.
If the blower and turn signal issues started at the same time its very likely there is a short in the wiring harness somewhere. When shorts occur they will blow the fuse as the circuit is getting too much power.
It is usually located under the driver`s side of the dash, and is wired in-line with the turn signal lever and hazard switch buttons.
A turn signal relay (also known as a flasher relay) is the electronic device that controls your car`s turn signal lights. The clicking sound when you activate your turn signals usually comes from the turn signal relay.
How Your Turn Signals Work. The turn signal circuit is pretty standard within most vehicles. Power for the signal runs through a fuse from the battery to the turn signal relay. The control circuit completes when you move the signal arm up or down to activate your right or left signal.
You can either replace or fix turn signal switch assemblies when they break down.
If the lights are working fine but are not flashing, this is an issue with the turn signal flasher or turn signal switch. If you want to check this problem out yourself, you will need to access the signal switch electrical connector.
A blinker fuse is any fuse that burns through a line of blinkers.
This circuit is used to give a visual effect when a vehicle is turning towards left or right. If the vehicle is turning towards right then yellow colour of LED will blink. If the Left turn is been taken by the automobile then the red LED will blink in this circuit.
The blown fuse indicator is connected in parallel with the fuse. When the fuse is good all current travels through the fuse. When fuse is blown current flow through the blown fuse indicator and it is illuminated.
The reason most mechanical flashers won`t work with LEDs is that they require very little current flow, which is not enough to heat the internal strip and open the circuit. There are several types of electronic flashers available, however, not all of them are for LED applications.
Signal relays are essentially electrically operated electromechanical switches that control the flow of current in a circuit. They work by using a magnetic force, produced by a control current running through a coil near the contacts, to move internal moving parts or contacts between open and closed positions.
There are three basic flasher types: Thermal, Electro-Mechanical and Solid State Electronic.
On most cars, the turn signal lever is located to the left of the steering wheel. Shifting the lever up indicates a right turn and shifting it down indicates a left turn. Your turn signal should turn off after a turn or a lane change, but if it does not, you should turn it off manually, as soon as possible.
Power is supplied to the turn signal lights when the signal lever is pressed. The flow of electricity to the turn signals is sent through a fused circuit and a flasher to the bulbs. The signal lever stays caught in place at this time. The turn signals continue to operate while the steering wheel is turned.
Left Turn: Extend your left arm out sideways with all your fingers extended or point left with your index finger. Right Turn: Extend your left arm bent upwards at the elbow with your palm facing forward. Slow Down/Stop: Extend your left arm bent downwards at the elbow with your palm facing backward.
A switch circuit that doesn`t operate correctly may simply have a tripped breaker or blown fuse. Head to the electrical service panel and locate the breaker or fuse. If the breaker is tripped, reset it; or if the fuse is blown, replace it with an exact duplicate.
Locating Your Vehicles Multifunction Switch
On most late-model vehicles, the MFS is located under the plastic covers behind the steering wheel. In that case, you can do this repair in about an hour and save the cost of an hour or two of shop time by doing it yourself.
12 Volt 2-Wire Incandescent Turn Signal Flasher Relay
Built-in electronic beeper sounds when the turn signals are blinking.
If the blower and turn signal issues started at the same time its very likely there is a short in the wiring harness somewhere. When shorts occur they will blow the fuse as the circuit is getting too much power.
Anyone operating a vehicle with a broken, missing, or obscured turn signal is required by law to use hand signals when changing lanes or turning. You also should understand what other drivers and cyclists are signaling to you.
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Okay so when I turn my lights on at night my brake lights do not work, when I don’t have my lights on they work fine.
ANSWER : Hi there. Based on your inquiry, it’s highly probable that you have a damaged light switch or some electrical fault inside the turn signal relay. However, it’s also possible that the brake switch above the brake pedal could also be the source of your problem. Due to the fact that multiple electrical components might be causing this issue, it’s a smart idea to first have a professional mobile mechanic complete a brake lights are not working inspection, so they can determine what’s causing all of these issues and recommend the right repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
ANSWER : Your problem is electrical, and all of the components involving the the turn signals will need to be inspected. Unfortunately it takes some trial and error in testing to find the component that is failing. Considering the hazard button tends to have an effect, you want to concentrate on the components these two parts shared.
Start by checking the multifunction switch. These switches can fail or have a bad connection giving you the intermittent symptom you’re experiencing. Another component they share is the flasher unit which sends the signal back and forth between the left and right side of the car. These typically won’t be the cause of symptoms like you have unless the connection to the flasher is damaged. The wiring connections running through the steering column can become damaged, but it is likely a switch at fault.
Further testing of your turn signal light is needed and it may be done best by a technician who is familiar with tracing electrical problems, such as one from YourMechanic.
Read Full Q/A … : Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
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Read Full Q/A … : Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
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ANSWER : Hello there, thank you for asking about your car. If the turn signal stays solid on the dash instead of blinking, that typically indicates a failed bulb. If the bulb is not the issue, check the connector at the turn signal for both power and ground. It looks like both turn signal bulbs share the same ground point, but the ground side wiring could be faulty. If power is not getting to the bulb, the problem could be the turn signal switch or wiring. I recommend having a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, look into this problem for you and replace the turn signal bulb or switch.
Read Full Q/A … : Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
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Read Full Q/A … : Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
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ANSWER : Hello. Without knowing exactly what wiring work was performed its nearly impossible to say definitively what the issue is. The brake light circuit and the turn signal circuit have crossed paths somewhere. The wires carrying the power supply from the turn signal switch is connected or touching the brake wires. The hazard light button is essentially an additional power source and switch for the turn signal circuit. With both brake lights blinking, the hazard light circuit may be crosses in as well.
Do you own a voltmeter or a way to measure available voltage? You are going to need to trace the wiring work you performed and find where the connection is jumping circuits. Having an official repair manual or wiring diagram will help a lot. Make sure once your issue is found that the wires are secured properly and protected from the elements and from other circuits.
If you’re unable to solve the issue yourself, have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, come to your location to diagnose the issue with your turn signals and help you make the right repair.
Read Full Q/A … : Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
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ANSWER : Hi there. Check to see where you have grounded the wires to the lights on the front of the vehicle. It sounds like that all of the lights are being grounded on the same terminal. This is why the headlights are flashing and why the fog lights are dimming out. If you need further assistance with having the headlights flash, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Read Full Q/A … : Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
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ANSWER : Hi there. Although the electrical systems on older vehicles tend to be much simpler in design, in many cases, issues like you’ve described can be very tricky to trace. It could possibly be something as simple as an expose wire creating an electrical short or a faulty relay that is not completing an electrical circuit. I wish we can help you further, but the best advice I can offer is to have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete an electrical problems inspection.
Read Full Q/A … : Turn signal lights keep failing, how can I fix this?
