What would cause my car's turn signal indicator to flash faster?

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Q

Qacer

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2001
2,721
1
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The last few days I've noticed that my '97 Corolla has been acting funny. It still rides fine, but I just realized that my turn signal indicator on my dashboard sometimes blinks faster than usual. I also noticed that my brake signal light is one even when my emergency brake handle is all the way down. After a few minutes of driving, the light just disappears.

Any hints?

As long as my car still runs good, then I'll be solid for the next few weeks. I think it's time to get a brand new used car.
 
jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,517
223
106
Fast blinking - likely a bulb out somewhere.

Brake light - check brake fluid level. I can almost guarantee that it's low.
 
H

hdfxst

Senior member
May 13, 2009
851
3
81
If your brake fluid is low don't just add (unless there's a leak),you probably need front brakes.when you push the pistons back the fluid will be back to full
 
M

marvdmartian

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2002
5,434
20
81
Don't know about Toyotas, but 80's and 90's era GM's (last time I owned one), if the blinker was blinking on/off at ~twice the normal speed, it meant one of your bulbs was out.
 
Aikouka

Aikouka

Lifer
Nov 27, 2001
30,383
912
126
marvdmartian said:
Don't know about Toyotas, but 80's and 90's era GM's (last time I owned one), if the blinker was blinking on/off at ~twice the normal speed, it meant one of your bulbs was out.
Click to expand...

That's what I've seen every time as well. I assume it's some sort of lack of impedance (or maybe it's resistance... I fail at electronics :p) provided by the bad bulb?
 
J

JCH13

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2010
4,981
66
91
Bulb might not be out entirely, but just dim. Try cleaning contacts if they're corroded.
 
AMCRambler

AMCRambler

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2001
7,706
28
91
Fast blinker definitely a bulb out.

Low fluid is likely the reason for the brake light. Chances are your pads or shoes are worn down to the nub.
 
W

wirednuts

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2007
7,121
4
0
Aikouka said:
That's what I've seen every time as well. I assume it's some sort of lack of impedance (or maybe it's resistance... I fail at electronics :p) provided by the bad bulb?
Click to expand...

the part that makes the bulbs flash is thermo-controlled. the more bulbs you have, the less heat you get building up in the flasher, so it doesnt work as fast.

newer flashers overcome this with various methods, but really its a safety feature to have the bulbs flash faster when something is wrong, so you know whats up and you can fix it.
 
W

wirednuts

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2007
7,121
4
0
AMCRambler said:
Fast blinker definitely a bulb out.

Low fluid is likely the reason for the brake light. Chances are your pads or shoes are worn down to the nub.
Click to expand...

likely the case. this reminds me though, i need to fix my brakes. mine actually leaks fluid, and ive just been topping it off every week but thats really stupid to do. im pretty sure its just leaking at the speedo switch, so it probably wont blow out or anything but im putting mine and others lives in jeparody... ive been really dumb about it.
 
W

wirednuts

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2007
7,121
4
0
yeah i know i do. i meant the cruise control switch thats tied to the brake system. and im not certain, but im pretty sure it works off the back brake resivior... meaning i wont lose the front brakes, just the back ones. thats my guess anyway, because the truck always stops just fine, but i can tell when the back brakes arent hooking up- the nose of the truck will dive when i hit the bakes hard.

again im not arguing my stupidity though. ive been asking for trouble for the last what, 5 weeks now. i at least need to actually diagnose whats going on and quit assuming things.
 
disappoint

disappoint

Lifer
Dec 7, 2009
10,132
382
126
Aikouka said:
That's what I've seen every time as well. I assume it's some sort of lack of impedance (or maybe it's resistance... I fail at electronics :p) provided by the bad bulb?
Click to expand...

resistance is the resistance of current flow in a DC circuit, impedance is resistance of current flow in an AC circuit.
 
W

wirednuts

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2007
7,121
4
0
disappoint said:
resistance is the resistance of current flow in a DC circuit, impedance is resistance of current flow in an AC circuit.
Click to expand...

oooo gettin very technical now... most of the time that ive known, those terms have been used interchangeably.
 
Q

Qacer

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2001
2,721
1
91
Thanks all! I checked the bulbs yesterday, but they all seem fine. Also, the turning signal indicator now blinks normally. It's an intermittent deal, but likely I will need to get the car checked today.
 
SearchMaster

SearchMaster

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2002
7,791
114
106
Yeah it's either a bad contact or a bulb just going bad - go ahead and spend the $5-10 on new ones and you won't have to worry about it for a while :)
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
My wife's new WRX developed that problem. Initially it was somewhat intermittent, but after a couple months became full time. It was a bulb that caused the fast blinking. Dealer replaced it under warranty, problem solved.
 
Q

Qacer

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2001
2,721
1
91
I just got back from Firestone. I got the brake issue fixed. They did the standard brake service, flushed the brake system, and did some work on the rear wheel cylinder. However, they were not able to replicate my turning signal issue nor could they figure out what was wrong. They told me to just wait till the problem becomes more apparent and take it back. At the end of the day, $400+ out of pocket, but at least I feel confident that I won't have any issues with my brakes for the moment.

Plus, others have worst car issues, so I can't complain:
http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-n...re-on-memorial-highway-no-one-hurt-ar-234745/

Tim Coleman ... just spent $3,000 replacing the transmission on his 2000 Mazda Millennium and was on his way to work at MacDill Air Force Base. As he headed south on the Veterans Expressway, the car started acting up, so he exited at the Memorial Highway, pulled over to the side and called a co-worker to come give him a hand.

"He said he smelled smoke. I thought he was joking," Coleman said.

Then the two saw flames.

They called 911, but the car was fully engulfed by the time firefighters arrived shortly before 10 a.m. The clouds of black smoke prompted passers-by on the Veterans Expressway overpass to pull over and watch the action from above.
Click to expand...
 
Meghan54

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,680
5,216
136
Bet one of the bulbs is bad, blew (which breaks the filament inside) and then you hit a bump and the filament "reconnected", temporarily. Don't worry, it'll "refracture" and blow again.
 
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