The turn signal is one of the many tools at your disposal to help keep you safe on the road. It lets you inform other drivers about your intention to make a turn to the left or right. You must always make sure it works properly before taking your car out.
When you engage the turn signal, it normally flashes at a steady rate. If the turn signal blinks fast, there’s an issue you must identify and fix immediately.
Why Is My Turn Signal Blinking Fast?
So, what leads to the turn signal blinking fast? Here are the most common reasons for one or both turn signal lights to flash faster than usual:
Bad Light Bulbs
The most common reason for the turn signal blinking fast is a bad light bulb. Turn signals rely on bulbs to produce illumination.
Like any other car part, turn signal light bulbs can get damaged or broken. If one of the bulbs develops an issue like faulty resistance switches, it can flash repeatedly and quickly.
Corroded Bulb Socket
The bulb socket eventually corrodes, especially if it gets wet. Corroded metal can interfere with the flow of current to the light bulb. An erratic current flow can cause the turn signal to blink faster than it should.
Faulty Ground Connection
Another common reason for a fast blinking turn signal is a bad ground connection. The ground is the wire that connects the battery to the vehicle, including the electrical system that supplies power to various parts like the turn signal.
The ground can wear out, corrode from exposure, accumulate dirt, or take physical damage. Its connectors can also become loose. These issues can disrupt the connection between the ground and the electrical system, which can lead to the turn signal blinking fast.
Bad Combination Switch
The combination switch lets you activate and deactivate various functions like the windshield wipers and turn signals. Needless to say, if the switch developed an issue, it could cause the turn signal to blink fast.
Improper Voltage Supply
The turn signal requires a certain voltage to flash at the correct frequency. If it doesn’t get the right voltage, the light can blink quickly.
Overcharged Battery
This is probably one of the most serious issues behind the turn signal blinking fast. Usually, the alternator charges the battery while you drive your car or truck. However, the alternator might develop an issue where it produces more power than it normally should.
A bad alternator can charge the battery excessively, damaging it and the connected electrical system. One of the symptoms of an overcharged battery is the turn signals blinking faster.
Wrong Type of Light Bulb
Did you recently replace the light bulb of the turn signal that’s now blinking rapidly? You might have picked a bulb that isn’t compatible with your blinker. Some bulb types might still work despite their incompatibility, but they might operate incorrectly, such as blinking faster.
How Do I Fix a Fast Blinking Turn Signal on My Car?
Now that you know the most common reasons behind the turn signal blinking fast, let’s look at how to fix these problems.
Install New Turning Signal Bulbs
You can usually replace faulty turn signal bulbs with your own hands. Consult your owner’s manual or trusted sources on the correct process of accessing the bad bulb and installing a new one. Take precautions like not touching the glass part of the replacement turn signal bulb to avoid damaging it. Also, use the proper bulbs to avoid perpetuating the problem.
Clean the Corroded Turning Signal Bulb Socket
Remove corrosion from the interior contacts. There are several ways to do this, and each approach has advantages and disadvantages.
Inspect the Grounds For Bad Connections
Check the entire length of the ground wire that runs from the negative terminal of the battery to the bulb housing of the signal light. Tighten any loose connections that you come across and clean any dirty part. If the wire shows any signs of corrosion, fraying, or damage, you might need to replace the ground.
Replace the Combination Switch
If you identified a bad combination switch as the reason for the turn signal blinking fast, install a new switch.
Install a New Turn Signal Relay
While you activate and deactivate the turn signal with the combination switch, the turn signal relay is the part that controls how the blinkers work. In some cases, replacing this relay can return the turn signals to their normal state of operation.
Install Inline Resistors
Sometimes, you want to change the performance of the turn signals by replacing their light bulbs. Doing so can lead to resistance problems, however.
Your vehicle’s flash module operates on the principle of circuit resistance. If you replace the light bulb with one with lower resistance, the flash might cycle quicker than normal, leading to faster blinking.
If you want to keep the new light bulbs while returning the blinking to their normal speed, install inline resistors to return the flasher to its normal performance.
Electrical System Repair
If inline resistors didn’t do the trick, you might have to inspect your vehicle’s electrical system for problems. Search for loose wires and tighten their connection or replace them as necessary.
What is the Turn Signal?
The turn signal tells other drivers about the direction of your turn. Many vehicles have blinker lights on their front and rear ends. These turn signal lights blink in a pattern that attracts attention.
When you use the combination switch, it activates the blinker lights on the vehicle’s side that you intend to turn toward. The turn signal lights will continue to flash until you disengage them.
How Much Do Replacement Turn Signal Lights Cost?
A replacement for a bad or worn turn signal light can cost anywhere between $10 and $850.
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