My turn signal light is blinking really fast, what to do?
- Thread starter gkatmar
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Jeffrey_VB
New member
Usually means blown bulb.
A/V1
New member
Do you have DRLs or no DRLs?
Only on the left, and you said the front and rear lights DO illuminate when you put the left turn signals on? Correct?
If that is the case, I would have to agree it sounds like a flasher unit, however, since these are about a $40 item, I think I would change out the bulbs first, as others have mentioned. If it's not the bulb causing it, you'll have some spares now. It's always good to have spares on hand anyway.
I ran into a similar problem recently where mine flashed really fast on the right side, so I figured I had a bad bulb. I changed out the front bulb (as that wasn't lighting some of the time - intermittent problem). The bulb didn't fix it. It actually turned out to be a build-up of corrosion, or what ever on the terminal for the front bulb. I had to take a small file and get the crap off. This probably won't be the case if your lamp is still working though.
If you do scrape the crap off of the contacts, make sure you use some dielectric grease on it or you will get corrosion on it again.
Only on the left, and you said the front and rear lights DO illuminate when you put the left turn signals on? Correct?
If that is the case, I would have to agree it sounds like a flasher unit, however, since these are about a $40 item, I think I would change out the bulbs first, as others have mentioned. If it's not the bulb causing it, you'll have some spares now. It's always good to have spares on hand anyway.
I ran into a similar problem recently where mine flashed really fast on the right side, so I figured I had a bad bulb. I changed out the front bulb (as that wasn't lighting some of the time - intermittent problem). The bulb didn't fix it. It actually turned out to be a build-up of corrosion, or what ever on the terminal for the front bulb. I had to take a small file and get the crap off. This probably won't be the case if your lamp is still working though.
If you do scrape the crap off of the contacts, make sure you use some dielectric grease on it or you will get corrosion on it again.
Trevor C.
New member
Directional issue..
Hi all,
I know a rapid flashing directional normally means a blown bulb. Here's what I have; the rear directional (and dashboard indicator) flash rapidly. The front directional illuminates but does not flash. I replaced the bulb anyway but I have the same situation. Do I have a bad directional relay?
Thanks! Any help would be appreciated.
Trevor
Hi all,
I know a rapid flashing directional normally means a blown bulb. Here's what I have; the rear directional (and dashboard indicator) flash rapidly. The front directional illuminates but does not flash. I replaced the bulb anyway but I have the same situation. Do I have a bad directional relay?
Thanks! Any help would be appreciated.
Trevor
I had this exact problem, and it turned out to be a shorting bulb socket. The socket unplugs from the wiring harness. Whenever you replace a bulb, consider replacing the socket at the same time.
Sounds like the problem Im having. I havent got a chance to look at it yet. Do you access these bulbs from the back, under the hood?
redwingfan
New member
Check One of Your Bulbs
I just had this exact same thing happen, it was my front directional bulb burned out...
I just had this exact same thing happen, it was my front directional bulb burned out...
Beaumont67
New member
Had fast blinker, on wife's Volvo wagon...front left.
- she works in the automotive trades, and is sharp mechanically
- so she called dealership, for a pigtail socket (to hold the good bulb)
LOL, dealership didn't sell the bulb socket.
- instead, the parts guy tried to sell her a $1,000 wiring harness
- and book a ton of hours, to install wire bundle @ $110/Hour
A mechanic friend, fixed the pigtail socket, in 15 minutes.
- normally a $5 part, at the local auto wreckers
- she works in the automotive trades, and is sharp mechanically
- so she called dealership, for a pigtail socket (to hold the good bulb)
LOL, dealership didn't sell the bulb socket.
- instead, the parts guy tried to sell her a $1,000 wiring harness
- and book a ton of hours, to install wire bundle @ $110/Hour
A mechanic friend, fixed the pigtail socket, in 15 minutes.
- normally a $5 part, at the local auto wreckers
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I'm having a blinker problem myself if anyone has any suggestions.
When I turn my right signal on it makes the blinking noise but the dash light and outside bulbs do not light up. If I don't turn it all the way on (where it clicks) it works fine.
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When I turn my right signal on it makes the blinking noise but the dash light and outside bulbs do not light up. If I don't turn it all the way on (where it clicks) it works fine.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
PNUTZ
New member
Intermittent front indicator lights
Hi,
Quick synopsis of a version of such a problem ive dealt with in case it helps someone else: My front right light indicator was intermittently working on my 2013 4runner limited. The audible cue when driving telling me it wasn't working was the extra rapid signal noise when the indictor was in use for turning that direction. I opened the wheel well cover and accessed that bulb and socket set and removed the bulb, cleaned bulb and socket interior with air and dry cloth as solvents will cause fires (eg: wd40) and also pulled the contact bars up a little inside the socket, as they can become depressed over time and create inconsistent contact. That worked temporarily. Strangely when I tapped the outside indicator cover a few times it worked to temporarily reactivate the indicator. I thus worried it was an electrical wear issue. But I changed the bulb after that cleaning as adjusting of the contacts failed to keep the signal working for more than a few activations. We'll see if the bulb change helps. Interesting to me that i worried the contact was the issue as i could tap and wiggle the bulb and cover back to working order but yet it wouldnt last more than a few uses - so note to those like me who didnt know this but the bulbs used here ARE NOT like house bulbs that either work or are burnt out and dont. They will still take cues as they die like tapping and reinstalling to fire the filaments (there are more than one) to appear repaired, but its a reaction to the tampering, not a sign they are now fully functional. So with a new bulb (come in a handy set of two) from the auto shop for a few bucks im hoping this will do they trick. In the end if this works, my point would be dont be initially confused or worried that intermittent functionality means a circuit issue or lose wiring or socket malfunctions. These signal bulbs have a few ways to let you know they are "dying" before they finally or actually do.
On another note - my right front passenger lock was not responding to fobs nor interior all door locking/unlocking and i worried it would cost me a new lock actuator set deep within the door panel - turns out that by accident/happenstance i used my fob a few times while INSIDE THE TRUCK and it suddenly "reactivated" that lock. So the actuator or connection was not faulty, the FOB seemed to need to reset the locks signals from inside! weird for me as I thought the hardware was shot in that door but apparently wasn't!!!??? No problems since after spending time and effort diagnosing online and over the phone with Toyota while manually reaching from the drivers seat to opening the front passenger door for someone every time, and asking them to manually lock it when exiting - grrr that sucked so annoying.
Anywho - this forum has helped me a lot - i love my 4runner - and hope this addition also helps fellow owners in some way if they have similar issues.
Hi,
Quick synopsis of a version of such a problem ive dealt with in case it helps someone else: My front right light indicator was intermittently working on my 2013 4runner limited. The audible cue when driving telling me it wasn't working was the extra rapid signal noise when the indictor was in use for turning that direction. I opened the wheel well cover and accessed that bulb and socket set and removed the bulb, cleaned bulb and socket interior with air and dry cloth as solvents will cause fires (eg: wd40) and also pulled the contact bars up a little inside the socket, as they can become depressed over time and create inconsistent contact. That worked temporarily. Strangely when I tapped the outside indicator cover a few times it worked to temporarily reactivate the indicator. I thus worried it was an electrical wear issue. But I changed the bulb after that cleaning as adjusting of the contacts failed to keep the signal working for more than a few activations. We'll see if the bulb change helps. Interesting to me that i worried the contact was the issue as i could tap and wiggle the bulb and cover back to working order but yet it wouldnt last more than a few uses - so note to those like me who didnt know this but the bulbs used here ARE NOT like house bulbs that either work or are burnt out and dont. They will still take cues as they die like tapping and reinstalling to fire the filaments (there are more than one) to appear repaired, but its a reaction to the tampering, not a sign they are now fully functional. So with a new bulb (come in a handy set of two) from the auto shop for a few bucks im hoping this will do they trick. In the end if this works, my point would be dont be initially confused or worried that intermittent functionality means a circuit issue or lose wiring or socket malfunctions. These signal bulbs have a few ways to let you know they are "dying" before they finally or actually do.
On another note - my right front passenger lock was not responding to fobs nor interior all door locking/unlocking and i worried it would cost me a new lock actuator set deep within the door panel - turns out that by accident/happenstance i used my fob a few times while INSIDE THE TRUCK and it suddenly "reactivated" that lock. So the actuator or connection was not faulty, the FOB seemed to need to reset the locks signals from inside! weird for me as I thought the hardware was shot in that door but apparently wasn't!!!??? No problems since after spending time and effort diagnosing online and over the phone with Toyota while manually reaching from the drivers seat to opening the front passenger door for someone every time, and asking them to manually lock it when exiting - grrr that sucked so annoying.
Anywho - this forum has helped me a lot - i love my 4runner - and hope this addition also helps fellow owners in some way if they have similar issues.
76CelicaGT
New member
Fast flashing
You have a bad bulb in one of your turn signals....
You have a bad bulb in one of your turn signals....
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