Turn signal question
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 14
From: Wellesley, MA
Turn signal question Well just recently when i turn my blinker on to go right, the light on the dash stays on solid, no blinking noise, and the lights dont flash outside. The left side works fine? What could this be, someone said i might have a bulb out, but i dont think it would act the way it does if the bulb was just out. Any ideas? thx
1) Check the bulbs
2) Check your flasher (our cars use a crappy thermal flasher developed in 1920 B.C.)
3) If possible, get an electronic flasher (tridon) w/ 3 terminals and wire the 3rd to ground.
4) If nothing above works, check the actual lever, it might be shorting in the column.
2) Check your flasher (our cars use a crappy thermal flasher developed in 1920 B.C.)
3) If possible, get an electronic flasher (tridon) w/ 3 terminals and wire the 3rd to ground.
4) If nothing above works, check the actual lever, it might be shorting in the column.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
To test...
Turn on the hazards and look for non-functioning bulbs. Left & Right signals use the same thermal flasher unit. So if one side works fine, its not the flasher. The hazards use a separate thermal flasher. If you decide to replace the flashers (unneccessary at this point unless you are using LEDs), you can get a Trident EL12. It should be available at any auto store.
Turn on the hazards and look for non-functioning bulbs. Left & Right signals use the same thermal flasher unit. So if one side works fine, its not the flasher. The hazards use a separate thermal flasher. If you decide to replace the flashers (unneccessary at this point unless you are using LEDs), you can get a Trident EL12. It should be available at any auto store.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Also, the EL12 is the correct 2-prong electronic flasher that will plug right in to the original socket. There is no point in buying the incorrect 3-prong flasher and having to run a separate ground wire.
Check to make sure that water has not gotten into the turn signal housing. If it has, changing the bulb will only work until it gets wet again. You may have to remove the housing and silicone the perimeter.
100% Bulb is out
Originally Posted by 70T/A400
Check to make sure that water has not gotten into the turn signal housing. If it has, changing the bulb will only work until it gets wet again. You may have to remove the housing and silicone the perimeter.
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The reason it does that is that the flasher works by the amount of current flow heating up the contact arm and causing it to bend and break the circuit then cool off and reconnect (much like a home thermostat). When a bulb is burned out there isn't enough current to make the contact arm heat and break the connection so the remaining lights stay on and don't flash.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Eastern MA
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Before I went out and bought anything I would replace all 4.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Originally Posted by VIP1
I dont know about you, but I dont keep spare bulbs around in quantity. So... I'd have to go buy them.
Same thing happened to me... I'd bet money it's one of your DRL / flasher bulbs. If it is, go ahead and buy 3 of them. 1 to replace the one that's out, 1 to replace the other one that will go out in a matter of days or weeks, and 1 to keep in your glovebox 