'95 850 GLT | Sporadic Turn Signal Behavior

mercharch · Post by **mercharch** » 28 Jul 2010, 16:37

Beginning a few days ago, my right turn signal has begun to flash sporadically when engaged. It will start by flashing at the normal rate, then speed up, then slow down. . .continually fluctuating between fast and slow at infrequent intervals. Not sure if it is directly related or simply coincidental, but the flasher seems to behave more normally when the car is accelerating or at cruising speed and speeds up when braking or stopped, though this is not always the case. Additionally, when the right turn signal is engaged, the audible "clicker" sounds different--the best way I can describe the sound is a "fast double-click" during the illuminated phase of the signal, as opposed to the crisp, staccato clicks I am used to hearing. The left turn signal and hazards are both functioning normally, and all of my signal bulbs are working.

I am suspecting the fault lies either in the turn signal relay or with the steering column stalk (though my intuition tells me it is the former). If memory serves my correctly, the turn signal relay is integrated with the hazard flasher switch; can anyone verify whether this is correct? And, of course, your input regarding possible solutions to this problem is greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks,

::Aaron::

Post by **jblackburn** » 28 Jul 2010, 18:48

If memory serves my correctly, the turn signal relay is integrated with the hazard flasher switch; can anyone verify whether this is correct?

This is correct.

This is odd. I would do 2 things: 1) test the voltage that your alternator is putting out. Is it fluctuating all over the place? I have seen dying voltage regulators produce a similar affect. It should be between 13.8-14.2 V ~1500 RPM, and it should REMAIN STEADY. 2) replace both turn signal bulbs on that side of the car. I have had bulbs do weird things to me, including the stupid bulb out light that was on for no reason because of a bad ground. If anything, you may have to run new ground wires to the sockets - I had to do this with one of my taillights that kept eating bulbs.

mercharch · Post by **mercharch** » 31 Jul 2010, 16:57

The day following my initial post, the sporadic flashing had changed to a full-on rapid flash, indicating a failed signal bulb. Sure enough, my front turn signal had given up the ghost. Stopped by the auto parts store on the way home from work and replaced the bad bulb along with its still-working companion on the left side for good measure. That seems to have fixed the problem. We're back to a steady, normal flash rate and everything works. Chalking up the strange behavior to a failing bulb--perhaps it developed a short. After better than 5 years, it was probably due for replacement anyway. Hopefully it was just that and not a fault in wiring or relay. I'll continue to monitor, but for now, problem solved!