Electrical Gremlins

[74goldtarga]

Question: When I use my turn signal to signal a left turn it blinks at the normal rate. Recently, when I use it to signal right it blinks about twice as fast as normal. At first I thought it would be a burned out bulb, but everything works. Why is this happening?

The good news is that my clock, lighter, dome light, and rear hatch motor were all "broken." I thought the electrical system in the car was going to pot. It shows my stupidity I know, but a 15A fuse was blown. Change the fuse all is well. Now if I can just figure out the blinker.

[Gremlin85]

the same thing happened to me.

it just started to work again one day all on its own.

[74goldtarga]

Thanks Gremlin, so far I have been trying your repair method but with limited success .

[nynor]

i had this EXACT problem. no kidding.

what i found is that the blinkers are a dual purpose lamp, signal and marker light. the bulbs have two elements, one for each role.

what i found with my bulbs was that the contacts were worn on the bulbs AND the bulb socket was relaxed (spread open a bit). i changed the bulbs and squeezed the socket a little with some forceps and all was good.

[WizPorsche944]

My problem was a little different. The would stop working all together until I would turn the hazard switch on and then off again. I replaced the hazard switch and havent had the problem since.

[Eldorado]

my right blinks about twice the speed of normal... front passenger light is burnt out.

[74goldtarga]

Not that this is that interesting a thread, but I just thought I would let you all know how it turned out. I replaced the front right turn signal bulb and all was well. Went out driving - nice slow normal blink - then 10 minutes later fast blinking again. Now back to slow. I still don't get it but I'm done caring.

[nynor]

did you read my post? mine did the same thing, even with a new bulb, until i played with the little metal socket.

[1988_944]

Bad connection at bulb... The fast blink tells what bulb is bad. Hope this helps.

[P944GUY]

replace your hazard switch....the switch is wired with the turn signals..it's funny it's the least used switch on the whole car and the one that always goes out first

[74goldtarga]

Nynor, I did read your post, thanks. I gave the socket a good inspection, everything looked appropriately round and or shiny - the bulb was held tightly in place. When I replaced it the blinker immediately worked fine and had been continuously abnormal before that for weeks which is why I doubt the hazard switch although it is a great suggestion that I never would have thought of. As of now it is working normally and I haven't changed anything.

[nynor]

xlnt. i had to pinch the sockets a bit on mine with some needlenose pliers. both of mine worked intermittently until i did so. they were shiny also and the problem was not obvious. i discovered a similar problem withe light under the hood.