turn signals

[limble]

Once in a while when I flip on my turn signals they don't flash and both of the dash indicaters come on. After a couple of minutes everything returns to normal. Its done this a half dozen times in the past month of driving every day.
Any thoughts?

Mike

[jazzbass]

Guess - bad flasher relay? Which car is this on?

[Hugh R]

Try spraying some electrical contact cleaner in the switch, it worked for me when I had an intermittent switch.

[Early_S_Man]

Some flasher relays refuse to flash if the current drain is too little ... as in the case where one bulb is burned out, or making intermittent contact due to mechanical or corrosion problem at the socket!

[bigchillcar]

Warren,
As I have this intermittent problem myself (2 years now) with both indicators occasionally flashing simulataneously and have cleaned up all socket issues...I'm wondering how a flasher relay fails? Is it 'all or nothing' or can it be responsible for the ubiquitous 'double flashing indicators'? Most of the time, the indicator indicates correctly for a few seconds, then both begin to flash, albeit at half the brightness of the one.
Ryan

[Early_S_Man]

Ryan,

Since the 'mid-year' cars use a 914 flasher that is a combination of a relay, and several discrete components, i.e., transistors, diodes, capacitors and resistors on a printed-circuit board ... several failure modes are possible, including a bad solder joint that is temperature or vibration sensitive. They can fail for awhile and return to normal operation later!

A spare flasher is good to have on hand ...

[bigchillcar]

Warren,
Sounds quite on target. The problem has disappeared for days at a time only to reappear as a new itteration on the old theme. Thanks. I believe I will invest in that new flasher!
Ryan

[Jdub]

Is the problem related at all to the weather? That is, does the blinker seem to work best when raining or high condensation in the atmosphere?

Reason I ask is that I had this identical problem until I pulled the offending turn signal out. Lo and behold the ground wire was not well attached to the little post that is formed into the bulb base. A thorough cleanup and reattachment solved the problems. It cost me nothing.

So I guess I am saying bad ground. You could easily check this by removing the turn signal buckets from your bumper and having a look. Not time wasted as you can also clean up the reflective backing (CAREFUL HERE - the reflective material only likes lukewarm water), put a bit of toothpaste to the signal lenses outside to make them shiny again, and clean out the inside of the lenses using a brush to get into the rough pebbly finish. Really when you clean these up it is nice to see such shiny and clear light coming from the assemblies.

John

[limble]

It is on the SC and the weather has been pretty dry around here lately. I'll try cleaning contacts first.

thanks,
Mike