L/R Turn signals don't work but Hazards do

[cvvick]

Looking for some insight/pointers:

 

When I move the turn lever up or down, there is a continuous buzzing coming from the flasher relay (I think), and the bulbs don't light. When I push the Hazard button, there is clicking and all 4 bulbs light up. Could it be a bad flasher relay - I thought I recalled hazards have their own? Any input would but appreciated.

[Mike Self]

The same relay does both the turn signals and flashers.  First, check the turn signal fuse; it's fused separately from the flasher as turn signals only work with the ignition on, and the emergency  flashers work regardless of ignition switch position.  The turn signals get their power through the emergency flasher switch, so that may be the problem.  If it is, PM me as I did a column on troubleshooting the pushbutton style emergency flasher switch and its two sets of internal contacts...

 

mike

[John76]

1 hour ago, cvvick said:

When I push the Hazard button, there is clicking and all 4 bulbs light up

Do the bulb light up AND flash?

The flasher relay is connected to the hazard button.  If the turn signals do not light and flash, but all four lights flash with the hazard button, it may not be the relay. Does the green light on the instrument panel work?

Check for corrosion on the turn signal switch, and all the grounds. All turn signal bulbs should be 21W. 

If all connections are good....then try a new relay.

 

 

[nuclearbunny]

Fixed it. I left out  one important detail: I was trying to use LEDs for the brake and backup lights. Once I removed the LEDs everything started working again. I know I would have needed to add resistors for turn signals, but I didn't want to go down that rabbit hole. I guess some thing else needs to be done for the other lights.

 

Fyi, I tried to "update" the dash lights. Even though the LEDs draw less current, I kept blowing a fuse. So much for that idea.

 

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but lesson learned

[Mike Self]

15 hours ago, nuclearbunny said:

I was trying to use LEDs for the brake and backup lights. Once I removed the LEDs everything started working again.

That's just weird...brake lights and backup lights have nothing to do with the turn signals, and in fact share neither the same bulb or the same wiring.  And depending on the car's year, not even the same fuse.  I'm glad your problem is solved, but I don't see how replacing LED brake light and backup light bulbs with incandescent bulbs did it.

 

mike

[John76]

17 hours ago, nuclearbunny said:

I was trying to use LEDs for the brake and backup lights.

 

Yes...as Mike said, the brake lights and backup lights are not connected in any way to the turn signals/hazard flashers.

Are you sure your LED bulbs were in the correct taillight sockets?  Turn signal, brake, and backup bulbs are all 21W. The rear parking/driving lights are 10W. 

17 hours ago, nuclearbunny said:

tried to "update" the dash lights. Even though the LEDs draw less current, I kept blowing a fuse.

Which fuse? Which dash lights? The dash light that cannot be converted to LED is the alternator light. The incandescent bulb passes current in two directions, which is needed to energize the alternator and then extinguish when the system is charging. LEDs are polarity sensitive.

 

John

[cvvick]

On 2/13/2022 at 10:54 AM, John76 said:

 

Yes...as Mike said, the brake lights and backup lights are not connected in any way to the turn signals/hazard flashers.

Are you sure your LED bulbs were in the correct taillight sockets?  Turn signal, brake, and backup bulbs are all 21W. The rear parking/driving lights are 10W. 

Which fuse? Which dash lights? The dash light that cannot be converted to LED is the alternator light. The incandescent bulb passes current in two directions, which is needed to energize the alternator and then extinguish when the system is charging. LEDs are polarity sensitive.

 

John

I tried to replace all (9) the dash indicator lights. Perhaps it was the alternator bulb that was causing the issue. I may try again when I have my gauge cluster out again

 

I had only replaced the 21w brake and backup bulbs. I had not yet replaced the read parking lights.