Both turn signal indicators flashing??!

[bigchillcar]

You got it guys! As soon as I get word I'm, posting. I had a feeling I wasn't the only p-car driver seeing double! Of course I've only been experiencing the license plate lights problem for a coupe of days, so not related I would think..

Ryan

[scphelps1]

I had the problem with my directionals blinking fast. I swapped out the relay/flasher with one from Autozone. It slowed them down, but then both indicators were flashing even though only 1 side at a time was externally. I bought the original Hella relay/flasher and my flashers are back to normal.

[bigchillcar]

Hmmm,
From what I've been reading on search threads and this one, most of the fixes have involved replacing the turn signal relay or tracking down poor grounds, as if they may start to signal correctly, but as soon as the bad ground is hit the turn signals are suddenly taken out of parallel and put into series, thus dividing the voltage (and thus the intensity) to each...and they both wind up illuminating. Slicker 'n snot...

Ryan

[techguy]

Just spent the last 2 months going through each circuit on my 72 targa and yes I too started with the reported double blinking.

Things to check:

-bulb sockets, I cleaned mine with a bit of sand paper often dirty

-replace the turn signal bulbs with new ones, often the base or side terminals become coroded or may be sloppy in the socket after all these years

-check the fuse for dirt/corrosion at the contacts

-double check all your gounds

My solution was to change the bulb after all that work with a new one and B I N G O. The new bulb had a nice tight fix and perfectly clean to boot.

Pete

[bigchillcar]

This may sound like a dumb question, but which bulb(s) did you change to solve the problem? All 4 bulbs for turn signals on the corners?

Ryan

[techguy]

I was lucky, one of the bulbs was not as bright as the others so I went for it. Do yourself a favor clean and inspect all of them, you will find all kinds of stuff in the sockets!

Pete

[rsa]

I had the same problem, 77 911S, it seemed to only happen at low rpm's. I blamed it on low output from alternator. It was worse when other electrical draw on the system ie wipers, radio.
I purchased a yellow top optima deep cycle battery. Fixed!

[bigchillcar]

rsa,

Hmmm...I'm starting a rebuild on my alternator this afternoon...it will be interesting to see how this affects it. Interesting to me that a new battery fixed the problem. Once the starter engages and the alternator comes online, the voltage regulator should maintain voltage at 13.5-14.5. Battery should just be there for starting unless, like you say, at low rpm's the alternator drops offline momentarily forcing the battery to carry the load temporarily. I'll certainly let everyone know if the problem is related to this.

Ryan

[tom.stiller]

I know this is an ancient thread, but I had exactly the same issue. All exterior turn signals worked fine, but usually the interior left and right turn indicators both flashed simultaneously at a dimmer level. The user manual says this indicates one of the four exterior bulbs are out. Mine were not out. Saw in another thread that replacing the flasher relay (located behind the fuel/oil level gauges) fixed the issue for one guy. Thought I would try just removing the relay and ‘polishing’ the four contacts on the bottom first. Removed it, polished with some sandpaper, re-installed the relay and viola, my interior turn indicators started working properly.

[Winter]

Originally Posted by tom.stiller

I know this is an ancient thread, but I had exactly the same issue. All exterior turn signals worked fine, but usually the interior left and right turn indicators both flashed simultaneously at a dimmer level. The user manual says this indicates one of the four exterior bulbs are out. Mine were not out. Saw in another thread that replacing the flasher relay (located behind the fuel/oil level gauges) fixed the issue for one guy. Thought I would try just removing the relay and ‘polishing’ the four contacts on the bottom first. Removed it, polished with some sandpaper, re-installed the relay and viola, my interior turn indicators started working properly.

Thanks for this, Tom.

Both my turn indicators “flash” simultaneously so dimly that they are nearly impossible to see.

I’ve been putting off digging into the issue due to travel, but your post (and resurrection of this thread) has motivated me to take a stab at a fix sooner rather than later.

Of course, I’ll clean up all the grounds as part of the project as well!

Cheers!

[jmcq747]

Actually, I have the very same problem with the indicator lights. Will have to try this, too.

[kev01]

Also check your earth. I spent the weekend sorting out my lights and at one point the tail light flashed when the indicator was activated. I connected a new earth and everything works. I don't quite understand it but weak earth can get a lot of strange issues as well.

[PopsRacer]

which year is the car in question? Maybe I missed it.

Older cars used bimetallic strips that complete the lamp circuit when cold (signals always started with “on”) and when they pass current they heat up and curl to break the circuit. How much current = how much heat = how much time to cool off. So losing a bulb blinks twice as fast since they do not get as warm. (half the current in a 2 bulb circuit for example)
If your lights are going dim and blinking slowly, you are drawing more current than you should be and the ALT light going on just confirms this. That sounds like a short of some sort, and it would appear to be between the blinker unit and the bulbs. I would check the housings first for damage or mixed up wires. They take a beating from accidents and weather/dirt.
You can isolate front from rear by pulling the fuses or just popping the bulbs out.
The front turn signals (i only have some g-body exp) are wired from the headlamp buckets with a ground (brown) lead, and then a lead for parking/marker lamps and a lead for the turn signal filament.
Good suggestions above around cleaning up/checking your grounds and pulling fuses to see what stops the current draw. Identify, isolate, annihilate.
If you can ID the year I can take a look at that diagram (assuming it exists) and find more targeted suggestions. Gd Lk!