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View Full Version : *Weird* Turn signal problem


my3rdbaby
11-11-2008, 03:53 PM
I've searched on a few forums about turn signal problems in S13's and didn't see one that had the same problem I have.


My front turn signals don't work. My running lights do, but when I hit the turn signals left or right, the rear's blink fast, my cluster blinks fast, but my fronts just sit there. There's also no chacnge when I try my hazard button.

I've changed out my turn signal switch assembly on the steering column and the hazard switch.

Once, my car died while I was rolling down a hill into a turning lane (no re-circ on a SR20= rich). So I already had my turn signal on before the car died. I popped the clutch to start the car and when the car came back on, the turn signal started blinking normally. I don't think it was the jolt of popping the clutch, b/c that one side stayed working for only a few days then it stopped.

I'm thinking a relay. I read about there being a turn signal relay in the cabin, in the same area of the fuses so if someone could post a pic or give me a good description of which one it is, I can try to swap it out. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions!

g6civcx
11-11-2008, 04:23 PM
The relay controls both the left and right turn signal. So if one side works and the other doesn't, rule out the relay.

Check both front and rear turn signal bulbs, ground, and wire.

If I had to guess, I would suspect that the front left fender harness is beat up.

my3rdbaby
11-11-2008, 04:58 PM
I looked at the harness before and didn't see anything obvious, but Ill inspect the harness closer. I was thinking it might be one single contact on the relay or something...

my3rdbaby
11-11-2008, 09:56 PM
Haha! I figured it out.


I had checked the bulbs earlier when I swapped them. And there was no change.

So then it hit me all of a sudden to swap the lights....and what I mean is swap the little 6 inch harness that holds the bulbs.

And that's what it was! I don't know if one of them was shorted or what, b/c it wasn't popping any fuses so maybe it wasn't enough amps? Anyway, I swapped both of those short harnesses and that fixed it! Actually, come to think of it, I bet it's the contacts inside the socket on those harnesses. I bet if I scrape/sand the contacts in the sockets of those harnesses, they'll woek again.
Well, Hopefully this will help someone in the future.