Essential Info On Car Turn Signal Light
What Is Car Turn Signal Light?
One
of the common wears and tear item that is present in the vehicle is the turn
signal light bulbs.
Where Car Turn Signal Light Is Located?
The
turn signal light is present on the inner side of the light assemblies on all
four corners of the car.
How Do Car Turn Signal Light Work?
In order to illuminate the turn signal light, the turn signals need electrical power. In case of an electrical fault, the circuit is protected by a fuse in the power junction block. As you turn the signal lever in either direction, one circuit is completed and it permits the power to flow to the front and rear turn signal lights on the side that is selected.
The turn signal lights will not illuminate constantly as you turn them on. In order to draw the attention of other motorists and to indicate your intention, they will flash in a rhythmic pattern. You can achieve this by routing the power to the turn signals via a flasher or module that helps in sending pulses of power to the lights instead of a steady stream.
As the turn is completed and when you turn the steering wheel back to center, a cam on the steering column will catch on the turn signal lever and it will cancel the turn signal operation. If you take a slight turn or if the cancel cam on the steering column is damaged, the turn signals may not cancel on their own. Hence you will have to turn the signals off by moving the signal lever on your own. Fix the turn signals as quickly as possible.
Symptoms Of Bad Car Turn Signal Light
If
you find a bad connection due to corrosion at the light bulb socket, or if
there is a wiring problem to the light bulb, this can cause a “no turn signal”
condition. A few symptoms of a failed turn signal light bulb include:
Turn
signal indicator in the instrument cluster comes on solid and does not blink:
- This
is one of the common failures and you will have to check your vehicle when it
is parked in your driveway or other safe location.
- To
find out which bulb has failed, walk around the vehicle once you select a turn
signal direction, and see which of the light is not illuminating.
- For instance, a solid turn indicator for a left turn, where the front turn bulb is illuminating constantly, and if the left rear turn bulb is not indicating, then it is a sign that the left rear turn light bulb has failed.
Turn
signal indicator blinks very fast:
- Another
common failure is the fast blinking of the turn signal indicator.
- For instance, if the turn indicator for a right turn is rapidly flashing, with the right front turn bulb blinking rapidly, and if the right rear turn bulb does not blink, then it is an indication that the right rear turn light bulb has failed.
Both
turn light bulbs on the left, or both turn light bulbs on the right, do not
blink:
- This situation occurs if the turn signal switch is faulty.
Both
right and left turn indicators do not work properly:
- You
can find this fault easily if the hazard warning/turn signal flasher unit,
which is integrated, itself has failed.
- You can check this by pressing the hazard warning button in your vehicle.
CAUTION: It is also best to
perform this test off the road in a safe location! If both the left and right
turn signal indicator lights do not blink as expected, then it is a hazard
warning that the turn signal flasher unit has failed. If you find the above
indication, then ask a professional mechanic to replace the hazard warning and
turn signal flasher unit.
Tools Needed For Car Turn Signal Light
There are a number of skilled auto mechanics who have the goal of opening their own car repair shop at some point in their careers. But let’s face it; if you want to put up an efficient as well as profit-making shop, then you might need much more than mechanical skills. There are a number of tools that you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliable. Auto repair equipment that you will need to repair your Turn Signal Light may include:
Free Autozone repair manuals
Chilton repair manuals(optional)
Top Brands For Car Turn Signal Light
If
you know which car parts brand suits the best for your Turn Signal Light, then
it would save a lot of your decision-making time. What we believe is that
picking a particular brand would always be helpful in reducing the clutter, and
at the same time would make it easier for the customers to find what they are
actually looking for. That’s why we have listed out some top brands for Turn
Signal Light below as follows: -
Related Parts Of Car Turn Signal Light
If you are like most of us, then you won’t know much about the related components of car Turn Signal Light. Fear not! Here is a quick and easy guide to explain the related parts of the Turn Signal Light.
Total Costs & Repair Times, Effort For Car Turn Signal Light
There are a lot of factors that should be considered when you are thinking of replacing Turn Signal Light. First, you have to decide that if you require some related parts of Turn Signal Light or a whole Turn Signal Light. Then after that, the next step is to decide what type of make as well as the type of Turn Signal Light you are actually dealing with and then from where will you get a brand new one. Just keep in mind that a brand new Turn Signal Light which would come from a warehouse would cost much more than the one you will get in a junkyard. After that, the next point which should be considered is that from where you are going to get it replaced and how quickly it needs to be done. The price range for replacing the turn signal light varies from $83.03 to $115.14.
How To Change Car Turn Signal Light?
It is easy to change a
blown out turn signal light by using basic tools and
here are some easy steps.
Find the burned-out turn signal Light:
Step 1
Place your vehicle and now set the emergency brake.
Step 2
Turn on the turn signals one side at a time by turning the ignition to the accessory position. Go around
your vehicle and see which turn signal has failed.
Step 3
Turn off the ignition and turn the turn signals.
Replace the front turn signal Light (if applicable):
Your next step is to replace the front turn signals if they are burnt out. You can also look at the instructions of your service manual on how to remove the turn signal bulb.
Step 1
Prepare to remove the old turn signal Light - Open the hood and locate the turn signal that you have to change. Make sure that you know which bulb to take off.
Step 2
Remove the electrical connector - Push down the locking tab and slide back and this way you can take off the electrical connector.
Step 3
Remove the old Light - Now rotate the bulb socket counter clockwise. Based on the design, you will have to either pull the turn signal bulb straight out or press the bulb inside while you rotate it counter clockwise. In some vehicles, you will have to remove the retaining screws and then take off the signal housing from the front portion of the vehicle so that you can access the turn signal bulb.
Step 4
Insert the new Light - Make sure to line up with the complementary slots in the socket if the bulb has alignment pins on the base.
Step 5
Reassemble the turn signal - Put everything back in the reverse order as to how you disassembled. Now turn on your car and check if the new turn signal bulb is working properly.
Replace the rear turn signal Light (if applicable):
Here are a few steps on how to remove the rear turn signal bulb
Step 1
Switch on the turn signals - Switch on the turn signals again so that you will know which bulb to take off.
Step 2
Switch off the turn signals - Turn off the ignition and turn the turn signals.
Step 3
Remove the retaining screws - Open the trunk or hatch and identify the tail light lens retaining screws or wingnuts and take them off.
Step 4
Remove the electrical connector - Push down the locking tab and slide back and this way you can take off the electrical connector.
Step 5
Remove the tail light lens - Now take off the tail light lens straight out and away from the vehicle.
Step 6
Remove the Light - Based on the design of the bulb, you will have to either pull the turn signal bulb straight out or press the bulb in as you turn it counter clockwise to take it off.
Step 7
Insert the new Light - Make sure to line up with the complementary slots in the socket if the bulb has alignment pins on the base.
Step 8
Reassemble the turn signal - Put everything back in the reverse order as to how you disassembled. Now turn on your car and check if the new turn signal bulb is working properly.
Note: On some vehicles, you will have to take off the rear interior trim panel so that you can access the bulb retaining fasteners. In order to do this, you will have to take off the nuts or other retainers from the rear trim, and then take off the trim.
