Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Cars / May 2008

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

Intermittent Turn Signal

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
Mike Dobony - 31 May 2008 00:10 GMT
I have a 98 Corolla that has an intermittent turn signal.  Sometimes it
works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  The bulbs are all good.  The emergency
flashers work all the time, but the turn signals work only about half the
time.  It does this both left and right.  When the turn signals don't work
the flasher still clicks at the same rate as when the signals do work.  Any
idea what is going on?  Thanks

Mike D.
Jeff - 31 May 2008 00:15 GMT
> I have a 98 Corolla that has an intermittent turn signal.

Mine is intermittent, too. It works only when the ignition is on the
"on" position and the switch is set to left or right.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;-)

>  Sometimes it
> works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  The bulbs are all good.  The emergency
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Mike D.
Cathy F. - 31 May 2008 00:28 GMT
>I have a 98 Corolla that has an intermittent turn signal.  Sometimes it
> works.  Sometimes it doesn't.

I have no helpful input on this, but... my immediate thought after reading
this first part of your post was, "Hey, at least you didn't pay for it as an
option!" ;-)

Cathy

The bulbs are all good.  The emergency
> flashers work all the time, but the turn signals work only about half the
> time.  It does this both left and right.  When the turn signals don't work
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Mike D.
ron - 31 May 2008 01:52 GMT
Mike, Some years ago my old El Camino did the same thing - all would work
except the turn signal - What mine was, was dust in the rear bulb socket - I
blew out both sides and worked fine.  Hope yours is as simple (but probably
a bad contact in the steering hub turn switch)
Ron

>I have a 98 Corolla that has an intermittent turn signal.  Sometimes it
> works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  The bulbs are all good.  The emergency
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Mike D.
Mark A - 31 May 2008 05:56 GMT
>I have a 98 Corolla that has an intermittent turn signal.  Sometimes it
> works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  The bulbs are all good.  The emergency
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Mike D.

I don't know about the Corolla, but the Camry had a problem where the
contacts inside the bulb socket made a poor connection after several years.
The contacts I am talking about are the flat pieces of metal inside the
socket where the spring tension had seriously diminished over time.

To fix the problem on the Camry, the solution is to pull up and slightly
twist the metal contacts so that they will make tighter contact against the
bulb when the bulb is re-inserted into the socket.
Ray O - 31 May 2008 04:19 GMT
>I have a 98 Corolla that has an intermittent turn signal.  Sometimes it
> works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  The bulbs are all good.  The emergency
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Mike D.

Possible causes are a poor ground, most likely at the rear light assemblies,
corrosion in both bulb sockets, a damaged wire, or bad turn signal switch,
in that order of likelihood.
Signature


Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

badgolferman - 31 May 2008 04:27 GMT
> I have a 98 Corolla that has an intermittent turn signal.  Sometimes
> it works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  The bulbs are all good.  The
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Mike D.

I believe the switch you refer to is called a "combination switch" or
something to that effect.  Although this sounds unlikely, quite often a
dirty contact on the bulb socket could cause intermittent operation.
The emergency flasher switch may be using a different ground wire or
different relay.

I would start by reseating all turn signal bulbs you can access and
spraying contact cleaner if you have some into the sockets.  Reseat the
flasher relay which is probably down by your left leg somewhere under
the dashboard.  Maybe you can spray some of that contact cleaner as
deep down the stalk of the turn signal lever as you can.  Work that
lever back and forth as you spray and more afterwards.

If that doesn't work you will probably need some professional help.

Signature

"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." ~ President Bill
Clinton

Mike Dobony - 31 May 2008 14:54 GMT
>> I have a 98 Corolla that has an intermittent turn signal.  Sometimes
>> it works.  Sometimes it doesn't.  The bulbs are all good.  The
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> The emergency flasher switch may be using a different ground wire or
> different relay.

I already replaced the relay.

> I would start by reseating all turn signal bulbs you can access and
> spraying contact cleaner if you have some into the sockets.  Reseat the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> If that doesn't work you will probably need some professional help.
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.