Turn signals: common defects and their signs

1. Bulb blowing out.
   • The turn signal doesn’t turn on.
   • The control light on the dashboard is blinking more often than it is required.
2. Contacts oxidation or closure.
   • The turn signal light got dimmer.
   • Turn signal blinking faster than  60 cycles per minute.
   • One or both lights won’t turn on.
   • The turn signal is on, without blinking.
3. Relay break down.
   • Lights don’t work in turn signal mode nor in emergency alert mode.
   • The relay makes unusual clicks.
   • Simultaneous breakdown of the turn signal on one side front and rear. Sometimes all the car lights can fail.

How to repair or replace turn signals?

You can repair the component by cleaning oxidised contacts. If one of the bulbs blew out it is to be replaced. To replace the front turn signal bulb, perform the following actions:

1. Remove the spring pin connecting the turn signal and the headlight from the engine compartment.
2. Release fasteners from the plastic housing and demount it.
3. Unscrew the lens and remove the bulb. Install a new one instead of it and assemble everything in reverse order.

To replace the side turn signal bulb the action order should be the following:

1. Pry off the turn signal housing through a special hole and lift it to gain access to the bulb. You can do this with the help of a flat screwdriver.
2. Rotating the bayonet catch counterclockwise to remove the broken bulb. Install a new one into the seat and lock the plastic housing.

For replacement of the rear turn signal bulb the algorithm is the following:

1. Unscrew the bolts fixating the component housing from the luggage compartment and demount it.
2. Disconnect all terminals.
3. Remove the bulb holder from the housing and remove the broken bulb. Reassemble after installing a working element.

Replacement procedure may vary for cars of different models, so study technical documentation beforehand. If you install LED lights, pay attention to their electric polarity and check correctness of their work after installation; if necessary, rotate them 180º.

In some cases, especially if the socket lost its integrity or the reflector is out of order, the turn indicator is to be replaced in assembly. Usually this procedure doesn’t cause any troubles and consists in unscrewing and removing fasteners before demounting the component.

Usually, only the broken component is to be replaced.
Do not install high-power bulbs into turn signals.

Types.

1. According to mounting location:
   • front;
   • side;
   • rear.
2. According to light source:
   • with incandescent lamps;
   • with LEDs.
3. According to glass colour:
   • white;
   • orange;
   • smokey.
4. By housing construction:
   • with a demountable housing;
   • with a solid housing.