Right Turning signal intermittent (FIXED)

My right turning signal has become finicky and I'm wondering if it is a bulb issue or something else. We did have a good bit of rain last couple of weeks so I'm guessing it is a wiring/bulb issue more than something involving the steering column lever.

When I hit the level to turn right, the dash indicator won't light and there will be a fast clicking - instead of the slower, usual tick of the blinker that accompanies the indicator.

Often if I turn the signal off and then on again, it works as normal.

The hazards work fine with no issue. Left signal works fine.

I was wondering if the bulbs where bad, wouldn't the hazards not work too - or intermittently? The hazards work every time. The right signal consistently has this issue of not working at first. Sometimes it takes a few times of turning the signal on, then off, etc. till the signal comes on.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

any corrosion/gunk in the bulb housing/socket? get some CRC quick dry electronics cleaner and some dielectric grease

could be the stalk switch going bad too, has happened

I think the hazards will work regardless since it fires both sides and is a steady pulse, not based on resistance/load

 

Thanks, frizzman. I have some contact cleaner and I'll get some grease and see if that works. I happened right after some heavy storming so I'm guessing/hoping that it is just a bulb issue.

 

Check out the turn signal relay. Those are like $13 at Autozone. They can go bad as well.

 

How can I test the relay? And is there one for each signal?

 

Sorry, I'm not too knowledgable with electronic troubleshooting, but if the relay is that cheap, you can always replace it, and if it's not the problem, just return it. The turn single relay should handle left/right and hazard lights in one.

 

My 02 was doing the same thing with the left turn signal. There was a hole punched through the housing from an offload trip. When it rained I'd get the fast blinker like you. Then I'd go to use it again and it would work fine... if it wasn't raining. I bet you're getting some water where it doesn't belong. Replaced my turn signal housings yesterday. Getting rain this weekend so I'll report back if it's cured or not.

Also, it didn't start doing this until I poked a hole in the front of that turn signal housing.

 

So I took the front and rear passenger side bulbs out and used some deoxit gold cleaner and sprayed/wiped clean the sockets and bulbs.

Everything seems back to normal. Thanks.

 

Ok. Now it is acting up again. I may just buy new bulbs and hope that helps.

 

I had the same problems you did. I ended up removing the the actual turn switch assembly, and cleaned up the copper contacts. Also there is a small u shaped contact with a small spring under neither it. I pulled the spring out and stretched it some so that it would apply more pressure to the contact. Wasn't to bad of a job, took me less than an hour, and saved myself from buying a new one...

 

Yeah, I think the switch is the issue - if I hit the top of the steering column while the right signal is engaged (but not firing) - the signal kicks in.

Do I have to disconnect the battery to remove the steering column assembly? I'm worried about the airbag and not accidentally tripping it. Is there a tutorial on how to remove the switch assembly?

 

Leave the battery hooked up. All you need to remove is the cover that surrounds the switch. There are two screws on the front, and one on the bottom. To expose the two screws in front, you must turn the steering wheel 90° to the right and left. Once you get the cover off, there are two screws holding the switch, and an electric connector. Remove them and the switch slides out.

 

So I took the switch out and cleaned it. The issue is still unresolved and I'm not sure if the switch is bad or if it is a wire (or wires) of the assembly.

If I turn the signal on, it will be blinking fast/not working, but if I put pressure on there switch/wire harness connection - pulling the switch connector towards me - the blinker works.

I tried to test the switch contacts with a Digital Multimeter continuity function, and everything seemed ok.

To temporarily remedy the issue, I took some Gorilla duct tape and wrapped that around the wiring harness/switch connector so that they are tight together. That seems to work, though a couple times the signal has not worked. Turning it off and then on made it work.

Could it still be a bulb issue that is causing this?

 

Just cleaning and reassembling won't fix the problem. I had to stretch the spring underneath the contact to get it to make good connection.

 

Ya, I didn't just clean it, I took it completely apart and cleaned it.

 

Ok. I figured I'd update this incase anyone else might run into this issue. I thought initially it was a wire harness issue, as putting pressure on the harness that connects to the signal assembly would make the right signal work. I replaced one of the female connectors on the harness connector but that didn't help.

Opening up the switch again, I realized the internal switch contact was pivoted. I cleaned it well and then took my soldering iron and some good silver solder and put solder over the pivoted contact. This leveled out the contact. The center contact on the other portion of switch as also worn down. I cleaned that and also applied a little solder. Put some Dielectric grease in there and that seems to have solved the issue.

 

Sorry to bring back an old thread. But where is this located? on the steering column?

 

Yeah