Turn Signal Not Working? Here's How to Fix It
Your turn signal just stopped working, or it's doing something weird. Good news: turn signal problems are almost always cheap and easy to fix yourself. Let's figure out what's going on.
Fast Blink (Hyperflash)
If your blinker is blinking faster than normal, it almost always means a bulb is burned out on that side. The flasher relay speeds up when it detects less resistance in the circuit. A dead bulb causes less resistance, so the relay compensates by blinking faster.
Check both the front and rear turn signal on the affected side. Replace the dead bulb and the fast blink goes away. It's usually that simple.
One exception: if you just installed LED bulbs, fast blink is normal. LEDs draw less power than incandescent bulbs, and the flasher relay thinks that means a bulb is out. You'll need a load resistor on each LED bulb, or swap in an LED-compatible flasher relay to fix it.
One Side Not Working at All
If one side doesn't blink at all (front and rear both dead), check the bulb first. Then look at the socket for corrosion. Green or white crusty buildup on the contacts means the connection isn't solid. Clean it with fine sandpaper or electrical contact cleaner.
If the bulbs and sockets look fine, the issue is likely a grounding problem on that side. The ground wire for the turn signal circuit usually connects to the body near the light housing. Find that connection, clean it down to bare metal, and make sure it's tight.
Both Sides Not Working
If neither side blinks, the flasher relay is the most likely culprit. The flasher relay is a small electronic or mechanical unit in or near the fuse box. Check your owner's manual for the exact location.
Also check the turn signal fuse. A blown fuse will kill both sides. Pull it out and hold it up to the light. If the thin metal strip inside is broken, that's your problem. Replace it with one that has the same amp rating.
The turn signal switch (the stalk on your steering column) can also fail, but that's less common. If you've ruled out the relay and the fuse, the switch is the next thing to look at.
Turn Signal Works but Doesn't Cancel
If your blinker stays on after you complete a turn, the canceling mechanism inside the steering column is worn or broken. This is a mechanical part attached to the turn signal switch. A small tab catches on the steering wheel as it returns to center and clicks the signal off.
On some vehicles it's a simple fix. On others it requires replacing the whole multi-function switch. Check a repair guide for your specific vehicle to see what's involved.
Bulb Replacement Basics
Turn signal bulbs are cheap ($3-10) and easy to replace. Front turn signals are usually accessed from the engine bay or by removing a small panel in the wheel well. Rear turn signals are accessed from inside the trunk, same as tail lights.
Common turn signal bulb sizes: 3157, 7443, 1157, 7440. Check your owner's manual or read the number printed on the old bulb. Grab a matching replacement at any auto parts store and twist it into the socket. That's it.
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