# Intermittent turn signal problem **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 22, 2020, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358 "2020-02-22T18:36:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/1 "2020-02-22T18:36:19Z")
A few months ago I made a right turn while driving my 2016 Jeep Wrangler. When I turned on my turn signal, instead of the expected “blink…blink…blink” I got a faster “blinkblinkblink”. I assumed a bulb had burned out, and sure enough, when I stopped and checked, the front bulb was flashing but the rear bulb was not. On my way home from work I stopped at the local auto parts place to buy a replacement bulb, but when I signaled my turn, the signal went “blink…blink…blink” and when I got out to check it was fine. So, I didn’t buy the bulb and things have been fine until this morning when it wasn’t working again, then later in the day it was. Ideas? Suggestions? The vehicle only has 72,000 miles on it, so trading in on a new Wrangler is something I’d rather not do.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/2 "2020-02-22T19:30:38Z")
When was the last time you changed the turn signal fluid? If that service has been done recently, a few issues may be at play: 1. Bulb is on the way out and the filament is intermittently fusing and then separating again. Just change the bulb. It’s cheap and will allow you diagnose… 2. Rear light socket housing has an intermittent short 3. Wiring harness has an intermittent short ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/3 "2020-02-22T19:59:17Z")
I don’t have a clue, but just wondering if your '16 is a 2 door, or 4 door? Sport or Ruby? I used to drive Wranglers (had a '89, then an '06, 13, then '16). Just switched to a 2019 Cherokee last year. Feels weird driving a Cherokee and an automatic, as I’d been driving a stick only since '84. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/4 "2020-02-22T20:04:27Z")
Ah! Jeep. It began when they came and took me from my home, and put me on Death Row. In my experience, bulbs are either good, or ungood. And in a way I’m yearning To be done with all this measuring of truth. They either work or they don’t. They can’t ‘un-burn out’. Could be almost anywhere, but I’d remove the bulb and hit it with some compressed air to remove any dirt, grime or moisture. Interpret signs and catalogue. A blackened tooth, a scarlet fog. The walls are bad, black, bottom kind. Or it could be the flasher. Gonna be hard to track down. Into the mercy seat I climb My head is shaved, my head is wired. You got salt back there, don’t ya? Could be a corroded wire somewhere. Say what, now? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/5 "2020-02-22T20:09:09Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > When was the last time you changed the turn signal fluid? > > If that service has been done recently, a few issues may be at play: > > 1. Bulb is on the way out and the filament is intermittently fusing and then separating again. Just change the bulb. It’s cheap and will allow you diagnose… > 2. Rear light socket housing has an intermittent short > 3. Wiring harness has an intermittent short Intermittent _open_. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/6 "2020-02-22T20:13:27Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > When was the last time you changed the turn signal fluid? Um, what now? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/7 "2020-02-22T20:22:32Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Um, what now? My dealership changes it every time I bring my car in to have the air in my tires replaced. Once a year, like clockwork. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/8 "2020-02-22T20:38:55Z")
OK, looks like I’ll be looking into it tomorrow. With what mechanics charge for topping off the headlight fluid, I’d hope they’d hit the blinkers as well. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/9 "2020-02-22T20:44:55Z")
Classic sign of flasher fail. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/10 "2020-02-22T21:24:48Z")
Change the bulb is step one. Report back if step 2 is needed. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/11 "2020-02-22T21:44:41Z")
That is exactly what it is meant to do. It is working. Then it isn’t. Then it is. Then it isn’t. Then it is. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/12 "2020-02-22T21:54:51Z")
> [@don\_t\_ask](#): > > That is exactly what it is meant to do. > > It is working. Then it isn’t. Then it is. Then it isn’t. Then it is. I think that was [a song by Donovan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcMM5-zBCEc): “First there is a turn signal Then there is no turn signal Then there is” ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/13 "2020-02-22T22:03:44Z")
My bet would be the bulb. Or, rather, the little wires on the plastic base of the bulb that make contact with the socket. I’ve had it happen on two Chryslers. Same type of bulb, both rear. The first time, I took the bulb out and saw that the wire on the bulb had been eaten away by arcing as evidenced by the lack of metal and discoloration. I took my pocket knife and scraped all 4 of the wires to shiny metal and replaced it. Still working. On the second one, a Dodge Pickup, I bought the replacement, then went to replace it. When I got the old bulb out, I thought, “this looks very familiar.” Same bulb, same arcing. Since I had the taillight assembly apart and the brand new bulb, I just replaced the bulb. I put the old bulb in the console of the truck, as I would bet it still works. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/14 "2020-02-22T22:35:42Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > My dealership changes it every time I bring my car in to have the air in my tires replaced. Once a year, like clockwork. Don’t forget to get the muffler bearing serviced regularly, too. ---
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/15 "2020-02-22T22:44:41Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Don’t forget to get the muffler bearing serviced regularly, too. It could also be a plugged carbon treader or worn reemestran bushings. You may want to check the condition of the skyhooks as you may need a few feet of new shoreline. Oh the serious side, I’d still replace the bulb but check closely the condition of the bulb socket and wires leading to it. There could be a loose or corroded wire causing a …ahem… “open” in that area. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/16 "2020-02-22T23:13:39Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > When was the last time you changed the turn signal fluid? Technically, it is called [Blinker Fluid](https://imgur.com/a/ZGc5NJW). Amazon sells it. (It is never used in BMWs) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intermittent-turn-signal-problem/848358/17 "2020-02-23T02:18:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Um, what now? [Blinker fluid](http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemDescV4&item=184089985652)