Blinker gone nutz

[runzwithsizorz]

Wife tells me her cars, (a '92 Corolla), left turn signal is blinking at twice the speed it should. Figured it was just a burned out bulb, and sure enough, the front left one was. The left rear was blinking like mad! So I went and bought 2 new bulbs and replaced it. NO CHANGE! Anyone have any ideas?

 

[nakedfrog]

Maybe the relay?

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Maybe the relay?

Yeah, thought of that, But the right blinkers are working normally. Is there one for each side?

 

[Murloc]

I found this page http://auto.howstuffworks.com/turn-signal2.htm
that supposedly explains the mechanism.
If it truly is that way, it's weird that the blinking speed accelerated lol.

The good news is that they are very cheap parts: http://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-NO-552-12-8-Thermal-Flasher/dp/B000GKAZCW

 

[overst33r]

Replace them all.

 

[Ferzerp]

Any wiring problem to the front light would exhibit the same symptoms as a burned out light. I bet the broken lights work fine in the back socket. I wouldn't expect a relay problem since you are still getting the double speed blink.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Any wiring problem to the front light would exhibit the same symptoms as a burned out light. I bet the broken lights work fine in the back socket. I wouldn't expect a relay problem since you are still getting the double speed blink.

Nope, the bulb was indeed bad. Kinda wish I had a test light, my multimeter really won't read something blinking so fast. Never the less I doubt it's the wiring.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Silly me forgot to try turning on the main lights, and sure enough the new bulb came on. It just won't come on when I use the turn signal, hmmmm

 

[Ferzerp]

Nope, the bulb was indeed bad. Kinda wish I had a test light, my multimeter really won't read something blinking so fast. Never the less I doubt it's the wiring.

And this is why I am not an electrical engineer

 

[skyking]

it is likely the bulb socket. try some bulb grease on it.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

it is likely the bulb socket. try some bulb grease on it.

See post #8. But thankz for your input sir.
Oh and ummmmm, "bulb grease"????

 

[bruceb]

You may have either bought the wrong bulb number or it went in the socket wrong. Also check the inside of the socket for any green corrosion and clean it if needed. Worst case would be a new socket. For bulb grease, that is just a dab of silicon or dielectric grease (same stuff electronics techs use between a device and it's heatsink) to keep moisture from the contacts.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

You may have either bought the wrong bulb number or it went in the socket wrong. Also check the inside of the socket for any green corrosion and clean it if needed. Worst case would be a new socket. For bulb grease, that is just a dab of silicon or dielectric grease (same stuff electronics techs use between a device and it's heatsink) to keep moisture from the contacts.

See post #8. And I was just kidding about the bulb grease. I use Vaseline on battery terminals, and Corrosion X on circuitry. Since there cheap, I'm going to put a new relay in today, maybe the blown bulb did something to it. Gosh I hope there isn't anything wrong in the steering column! (lever)

 

[SparkyJJO]

Silly me forgot to try turning on the main lights, and sure enough the new bulb came on. It just won't come on when I use the turn signal, hmmmm

There are two filaments in the bulb. Dim (parking) and bright (turn). There are 3 wires that go to the socket, the parking light, turn signal, and of course the ground. Turning the parking lights on does not fully test the bulb.

Highly doubt it is the flasher since it works fine on the other side. Also doubt it is the switch in the steering column because that is a simple switch. If the blinker turns on the correct side the steering column switch is fine.

You very well may just have a defective bulb. I've had that happen before.

 

[skyking]

Our beetles have horrible bulb sockets. The front socket needs that grease or a total rework.
The only ground path in it is the hook that hooks the pin on an 1156 style bulb. That's it, the radius of that pin in contact with a meager strip of metal. The rest of the socket is plastic.
Since the running light portion of the socket works, your ground is good. Look at the contacts down inside if it an 1156 style. One can get a little corrosion on it and there you go. a little scrape with a blade and good as new. I for sure would not throw any parts at it before looking into the socket and also putting a multimeter on it.
if the blinker circuit is independent of the brake light, then no problems in the column itself. If the blinker bulb also doubles as the brake light then it does indeed route through the blinker switch. There are independent front and rear contacts, otherwise when you stepped on the brakes the front signals would light up as well.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

There are two filaments in the bulb. Dim (parking) and bright (turn). There are 3 wires that go to the socket, the parking light, turn signal, and of course the ground. Turning the parking lights on does not fully test the bulb.

Highly doubt it is the flasher since it works fine on the other side. Also doubt it is the switch in the steering column because that is a simple switch. If the blinker turns on the correct side the steering column switch is fine.

You very well may just have a defective bulb. I've had that happen before.

Not for THIS bulb and THIS socket. It is very small, and the contacts are just wire wrapped around the glass. However, you got me thinking, so I went out to the garage, and THIS time instead of just standing by the side of the car when I turned both the parking lights, and the *RIGHT* turn signal on, which you can easily see working inside the garage, I walked to the front of the car, and made a discovery. The parking lights, and the turn signal lights are in two separate housings. This car is very low, and the turn signal housing *front facing only:hmm:* is hidden underneath the bumper. you have to be nearly prone to see it. So the bad bulb I replaced was the parking light.
Gee two bulbs burning out at nearly the same time, whoda thought.
LOL, at self, I may be an old fool Anandtech, but I'm your old fool.

 

[skyking]

Hey you worked it out and did not throw parts at it. looks like a win to me.
EDit: and those little wire sockets are much better than the old twist and hope ones, IMO.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Hey you worked it out and did not throw parts at it. looks like a win to me.
EDit: and those little wire sockets are much better than the old twist and hope ones, IMO.

Guess what the turn signals are? ( rhetorical ). Oh, and it was SparkyJJO that made me recheck, and rethink, so hold off on that victory lap
BTW, speaking of throwing parts, and money at something, stand by for a necro thread, in 3-2-----