Fast Blinking Left Turn Signal

[MAS956]

My left turn signal blinks 2x the right. Based on my extensive use of the search button, I have:

Checked G106 and G116 grounds, both good
Checked fuses 9&10 on fuse block #1. Both good
Checked continuity and function of all bulbs. They all work/none has a broken filament.

The hazards and right turn signal work fine. Based on this, can I assume the blinker relay is good or do they fail partially?

With the hazards on, the right front bulb flashes twice as bright as the left, but all corners blink in unison at the normal speed.

With the key off but the turn signal witched to either left or right, the appropriate parking lights are on, however the left front is twice as bright as the right front. I get the same result when I swap the affected bulbs.

Any suggestions as to what to try next?

Thanks,

[MattAlpha]

Mark,

I'm in your same boat, except both of my turn signals do this. Its very annoying and I can't seem to figure out why it is happening. My running lights all work perfectly at the proper brightness, but for some reason the marker lights (when that particularly turn signal is activated) do not light up with their corresponding blinking turn signal.

I hope someone has the answer for other people in this same situation.

-Matt

[MAS956]

Good luck, Matt,

I been living with it for a while - I just assumed it away as a bad bulb but now that I know it's not, it'll drive me fricken crazy. In my case, I have had the bumper off when I put in an oil cooler scoop and I haven't torn it back down to double check all those hard to reach connections behind the bulb reflectors. I'm not sure that that's when this started anyhow. I was hoping someone would point to a gaping fault (as usually is the case) in my diagnostic process so far.

[kees]

I think it's a ground problem. Clean and sandpaper all the contacts. If that doesn't work try to make ground (temporarily) as near as possible to the blinker and see if that solves the problem.

Kees.

[jluetjen]

Sounds like ground problems to me. I had similar problems -- especially when I was using the brakes. I took apart the tail light assemblies, cleaned all of the grounds and put everything back together and that pretty much resolved the problem (except when the assemblies have gotten wet.)

[MAS956]

Thanks guys,

I'll check the grounds again. They both appeared dry and clean but they do both have several other things on them and it's worth a second look.

[john walker's workshop]

cheap relays can do that. the official porsche unit usually fixes it. just fixed one on an '85 yesterday. the dimmer front light can also do it if the ground or power connection is poor.

[MAS956]

John,

That's interesting - the relay that is in there is a VW/Audi part. Could that be the problem?

Thanks,

[dan79brooklyn]

My turn signals blink crazy-fast in the Winter. But normal speed in the Summer. I guess I should check the ground connections as well...

[john walker's workshop]

later carreras used a 3 prong 111 953 227D relay. even the original ones can get wacky.

[Hendog]

I've developed the exact same problem last night. I had a burnt bulb in the left front marker and put in another bulb of different variety, now it blinks fast. so I did a search and came up with this
fast blinker.....

I think my "different" bulb is loading the blinker incorrectly. I'm picking up a new bulb on my way home this evening and will try that. I also have a burnt high beam as well so that bulb will also be replaced, whether that is raleted to the problem is unknown.

[Hendog]

John W. Your avatar: '53 Buick, right?

[john walker's workshop]

48 buick convert. one of my herd. it has a '42 grille though, which i like better.

[MattAlpha]

John,
Looking at our host, the later model relay has three prongs, while the earlier relay has four prongs. I have the four prong style. Is there a way to easily switch to the later style.

By the way here's a picture of my relay (as I just thought to look for it and have a look at it).

The damage is a result of who ever converted my car did not re-mount the relay's "socket". So it was exposed to water entering my turnk via the swiss cheese holes in the bottom deck. Just another thing I've got to fix with this car.
-Matt

[MAS956]

Originally posted by john walker's workshop
later carreras used a 3 prong 111 953 227D relay. even the original ones can get wacky.

Thanks, JW, that's the part number I have on the one in my car which I'll go ahead and replace, because I can.

As a quick comparo, the sub-$11 part from our host (on par with the same part from my local VW dealer) is $18 and change from the Stealer, which, of course, is not in stock . Why the hell does Porsche demonstrate time and again that they don't want my parts business?

[Porsche_monkey]

One other possibility:

Bulb wattage issue: Dim Indicator Bulbs - Both Illuminated

[Dan in Pasadena]

John Walker - Not the same problem but related and I wonder if you've ever had any luck fixing it:

My right turn signal indicator arrow in the dash gauge flashes bright the first flash, then immediately flashes dimmer. Doesn't do it on my left inicator arrow. No idea where to start with that one.

[Porsche_monkey]

See the note above. I believe this is a wattage issue, but will defer to Mr Walker's expertise in the event he contradicts me.

[Gogar]

I had similar problems that bugged me for months. Similar to Dan, in Pasadena, my turn signal would flash bright once, then both sides would flash together, but dim. (on the gauge, not on the actual lights.)

My suggestion is similar to many: clean the bulb sockets and make sure the spring-loaded parts are working correctly. Make sure you have EXACTLY the right kind of bulbs in there. Turn on the signal, or the reverse lights, or whatever, and then put the bulb in; that way you'll know when you got it right. Make sure it's seated correctly. Go all the way around, one by one, and make sure every lamp is working, not just the one youre worried about.

My 4 months on and off of checking grounds, cleaning my turn signal stalk switch, chasing wires, etc. turned out to be a few mismatched PO bulbs and some dirty bulb sockets.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally posted by Gogar
I had similar problems that bugged me for months. Similar to Dan, in Pasadena, my turn signal would flash bright once, then both sides would flash together, but dim. (on the gauge, not on the actual lights.)

My suggestion is similar to many: clean the bulb sockets and make sure the spring-loaded parts are working correctly. Make sure you have EXACTLY the right kind of bulbs in there. Turn on the signal, or the reverse lights, or whatever, and then put the bulb in; that way you'll know when you got it right. Make sure it's seated correctly. Go all the way around, one by one...

Thanks Gogar, A horse sense fix. One by one, cleaning sockets with sandpaper and using a die electric grease, cleaning the grounds meticulously. I'll do a search, I don't know where all the grounds on a 911 are. Anyone?

P.S. Forgot to mention, your description...Flash bright once then both flash dimly...on the guage...that is EXACTLY my problem. You say this fixed yours? I'm on it. Thanks again, Dan