3 Symptoms of a Failed Turn Signal Relay
Turn signals are one of the most overlooked, yet most important safety features of your car. But what do you do when a feature you take for granted stops working? Of course, you start learning how turn signals work. When you start looking, one of the first components you’ll see is the turn signal relay.
But how do you tell if your turn signal relay is working properly and how much it will cost to replace it if it does? We’re here to answer these questions and more. What is a turn signal relay? A turn signal relay, also known as a blinker relay, is the component that switches your turn signals on and off whenever you turn on your turn signals or hazard lights.
It is an electrical component that acts as a relay and turns on and off continuously when you press the button. The turn signal relay is the component you hear if you pay attention to the clicking sound you hear every time one of these components turns on.
Where is it located? It really depends on the type of vehicle you drive, but on most models, the turn signal relay is located in a junction box or fuse box with other relays.
Some vehicles have instructions on the cover of the fuse box showing which relay does what, while others require you to refer to the owner’s manual to find this information.
On other vehicles (such as Toyota/Lexus), the relay is more difficult to access and may require removing a kick plate near the steering wheel. You can use your factory service manual to locate it.
Symptoms of a Failed Turn Signal Relay Just because you know where something is and what it does doesn’t mean you can just replace it right away. Below, we have highlighted three common signs that your turn signal relay may need replacing.
We have covered three common symptoms of a bad turn signal relay here, but we want to point out that if your turn signals are flashing too quickly, there may be a problem other than the turn signal relay.
1) Turn Signals and/or Hazard Lights No Longer Work
The most common symptom of a failing turn signal relay is that your turn signals and/or hazard lights will no longer work properly. Since the turn signal relay’s job is to tell the turn signals to turn on, it is entirely logical that when this component breaks down, it will lose this function.
If the relay deteriorates so badly that it no longer opens, or if a part breaks and causes an open circuit, neither your turn signals nor your hazard lights will work.
2) Turn signals or hazard lights can’t be turned off
Turn signals or hazard lights going out is the most likely sign of a faulty turn signal relay, but it’s not the only one. Another possible symptom is the inability to turn signals or hazard lights off. This happens if the turn signal relay fails in the on position.
As is often the case, this is unlikely, as a part of the relay needs to stay in the “closed” position rather than break, but it can still happen.
3) Other lights fail
This is not the most common symptom of a bad turn signal relay, but as any mechanic will tell you, electrical issues can produce strange results. This may sound particularly odd, but this kind of problem can be caused by a short circuit, crossed wiring, or a number of other causes.
When this happens, current can flow in a direction it shouldn’t, which can lead to a variety of unexpected results. If you’re struggling to troubleshoot an electrical problem, test your relay to rule out alternative causes.
