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Vibrating when I turn lights/blinkers on?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by cobes, Jan 13, 2020.

  1. Jan 13, 2020 at 10:08 AM
    #1
    cobes

    cobes [OP] habitual line-stepper

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    Hello all,

    Recently I've noticed that if I'm stopped at a stoplight and I turn my blinkers on, there is an audible and tactile increase in vibration. Its heightened if the lights are already on. Does anyone have any idea whats causing this? Is it something I need to immediately have looked at?

    Electronic issues both confuse and scare me so I'm hoping to get the cause figured out as soon as possible.

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Jan 13, 2020 at 10:10 AM
    #2
    mechanicjon

    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    Probably just the alternator pulling more load on the engine. You could remove alternator belt and try it. Also spin the alternator by hand to check bearings.
     
    cobes[OP] likes this.
  3. Jan 13, 2020 at 10:12 AM
    #3
    TRD-ED

    TRD-ED Well-Known Member

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    Clicking of the Flasher being confused as vibration?
     
  4. Jan 13, 2020 at 10:12 AM
    #4
    cobes

    cobes [OP] habitual line-stepper

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    Great, thanks for that. Its kind of a pulsing vibration too if that makes any difference.
     
  5. Jan 13, 2020 at 10:13 AM
    #5
    cobes

    cobes [OP] habitual line-stepper

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    No definitely a vibration. I can feel it and my keys that are resting against the dash vibrate with it.
     
  6. Jan 13, 2020 at 10:16 AM
    #6
    mechanicjon

    mechanicjon They call me "Jonny Stubs"

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    Could be waterpump bearing also getting a little rough.
     
  7. Jan 13, 2020 at 10:18 AM
    #7
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    It's probably just the RPM getting into a resonance pattern with the truck. If you turn your a/c on or off, that usually changes the RPMs a bit, too. I've noticed about a 1Hz "vibration" as well, and typically goes away if I turn ON the a/c (the additional load on the alternator pushes the rpm up slightly, and out of that range where the resonance happens.

    Also shifting to park or neutral makes a difference too.
     
    cobes[QUOTED][OP] and Wyoming09 like this.
  8. Jan 13, 2020 at 12:57 PM
    #8
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Tail light relay coil or contacts chattering
     
    Colchicine and cobes[OP] like this.
  9. Jan 13, 2020 at 1:01 PM
    #9
    cobes

    cobes [OP] habitual line-stepper

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    Is that located somewhere in the back panel of the bed?
     
  10. Jan 14, 2020 at 1:20 AM
    #10
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Fuse Block in the Engine Compartment
     
  11. Jan 18, 2020 at 9:38 AM
    #11
    cobes

    cobes [OP] habitual line-stepper

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    I'm pretty ignorant to a lot of the electrical stuff, but I'm trying to change that. What's the best way to go about testing this relay?

    Thanks
     
  12. Jan 18, 2020 at 10:54 AM
    #12
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Touch it if things are not correct you will feel it vibrate to the touch or it will be hot!
     
  13. Jan 18, 2020 at 7:25 PM
    #13
    cruisedon66

    cruisedon66 Well-Known Member

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    Like Wyoming09 said. I'd suggest take of the cover of the fuse panel under the hood.
    (On my 2003 it's over the left wheel)
    The cover should have a list of what each fuse is. Pull out the turn signal relay and see if the contact's that plug in are dirty. Very lighty, take sandpaper or carb cleaner on a rag, and wipe off the contact's. Apply a very light coat of Dielectric grease to the contact's.
    Reinstall and try blinkers again.

    You could also look for any black wires (Ground) bolted to the engine or firewall.
    I think there's one near the battery. Another near the back of the hood/engine.
    Clean & coat with dialectic grease to improve the electrical path .
    Clean both battery terminals. Write down radio stations so you know what they were.
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2020
  14. Jan 19, 2020 at 3:28 AM
    #14
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    You do understand dielectric grease does not conduct electric !!

    It keeps the air and moisture from the electric parts to help keep things from corroding .

    It could cause more problems at times.

    Like using teflon tape on a sensor that grounds via the threads
     
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  15. Jan 19, 2020 at 6:36 AM
    #15
    Wsidr1

    Wsidr1 Well-Known Member

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    Agree with Wyoming09, and also, you don't want to apply "conductive" grease anywhere that might cause cross terminal connections (short condition) like multi-pin connectors, relays, fuses, etc. I have not personally seen shorts caused by this, but it is a good general rule to follow.
     
  16. Jan 23, 2020 at 9:20 PM
    #16
    cruisedon66

    cruisedon66 Well-Known Member

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