Blinker problems

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:19 am

I just got my car back from the body shop (repairing front quarter panel) and among other problems is the fact that when I apply the right blinker it blinks really fast. Almost double the speed as before. The left one is normal. Before I take it back and make them fix it, is there anything I can do myself without having to deal with the body shop? Thanks.

dwreck30 · Post by **dwreck30** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:43 am

Check and see if there is even a bulb in there, if there is most likely it's the wrong one.

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:45 am

None of the bulbs were replaced and it was working fine when I brought it in so I don't think that could be it.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:13 am

That's what happens when one of the turn signal bulbs is blown out... Check to see which one (front or rear) isn't blinking.

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 3:36 am

All the bulbs are working. It's just the right side of the car thats acting up. Should I try replacing all of the bulbs with fresh ones?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:07 am

Well, first try swapping the left and right bulbs. Maybe they put the wrong bulb back in when reinstalling the corner light or something.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 5:26 am

Subaru_Nation555 wrote:All the bulbs are working. It's just the right side of the car thats acting up. Should I try replacing all of the bulbs with fresh ones?

You might also want to check you blinker system. I remember one time when I had a hitch placed on a car I had a trailer hooked up and the extra draw on the system made the blinker go faster. I don't know if you had any electrical work done, but they might have crossed a wire or two

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 6:48 pm

None of the bulbs had been replaced recently. I replaced the front two just to see if it would make a difference but it didn't. The right side still blinks really fast. I pulled the rear turn signal bulb on the left side and it sped up too. I pulled the rear right one and the turn indicator arrow just stayed on the dash-it didn't flash. The body shop said they would take care of it on Monday but I want to get this figured out today. As far as I know they didn't have to do any electrical work when repairing it but it looks like they may have. Any other ideas?

professor · Post by **professor** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 10:35 pm

>>>Should I try replacing all of the bulbs with fresh ones?

yes sometimes different brands of bulbs will cause this. also clean the bulb housings, reconnect the wire harness connections, and especially check the continuity of the bulb holders to ground. sketchy grounds will cause crap like this, and most assuredly they removed the light

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:59 pm

replacing the bulbs did nothing. I'm going to try searching for a loose ground wire or something. Its driving me mad.

TheSubaruLegacy · Post by **TheSubaruLegacy** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:45 pm

My directionals don't work at all. I just got an opinion to check (or replace) the Hazard flasher switch wich sounds logical because if it's "on" all the time it could disrupt the directional system.
I fix digital copiers and printers for a living; and damn if this car's no different.

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:11 pm

I checked all the bulbs and they were fine but just to be sure that wasn't the problem I had them all replaced. The two front turn signals have two filiments in the bulb. One that remains lit while the parking lights are on and one that lights up when the turn signal is applied. I was investigating the problem today and noticed something strange the side with the messed up blinker speed. The part of the bulb that normally illuminates when the parking lights are on, is lighting up when the blinker is applied, not the other part. The other filiment that is supposed to light up for the blinker never does anything. I am really a a loss here. I'm hoping that someone here can help me out.

Also, all the fuses are intact.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 1:23 am

Sounds like whoever did the fender replacement screwed with the wires and didn't get it right.

Maybe we can try to figure it out together sometime soon... Are you free sometime on Monday?

islander · Post by **islander** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:40 am

3 to 1 that is that lamp ground or ground cable. It heppened to my 300ZX TT after some body work was done in that area.

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:40 am

Yeah, I'd like that. It's driving me crazy. I'll PM you sometime tomorrow.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:36 am

'Kay. I think islander may be right. That'll be easy enough to check.

islander · Post by **islander** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 3:47 pm

vrg3 wrote:'Kay. I think islander may be right. That'll be easy enough to check.

First shot should be cleaning the contacts but be sure you remove either the battery ground or the fuse.

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:40 pm

What would be the best thing to clean the contacts with?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 8:34 pm

They make aerosol contact cleaner, but brake cleaner will work fine for this too.

islander · Post by **islander** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 1:55 am

vrg3 wrote:They make aerosol contact cleaner, but brake cleaner will work fine for this too.

Plus a pencil eraser, small tip screwdriver (remove fuse) or a fine sandpaper.

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 4:57 pm

Well I busted out the brake cleaner and cleaned all the contacts and needless to say it worked! One of the contacts was a little corroded.

No more blinker on steroids. Thanks all.

Subaru_Nation555 · Post by **Subaru_Nation555** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:46 pm

Well I spoke too soon. It seemed okay for a bit but then started blinking really fast again. Seems a wire is loose somewhere.

Manarius · Post by **Manarius** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 6:49 pm

I'll tell you my short story and maybe you can make something from it.

About 10 years ago my dad had a hitch put on his 1993 Lumina. When they wired the hitch in, it was okay. However, when we went to go sailing, we noticed that the blinker was on speed with the trailer hooked into the system. We took it back to the dealer and it turns out the fools didn't ground the harness out correctly. After they fixed the issue, the car didn't act weird again.

I'd check all the grounds on your car. Sounds like you may have one loose

.

legacycentral bbs

A forum for 89-94 BC-BF(BJ) Legacy Owners and Fans

Blinker problems

Blinker problems