Turn Signal Blinking Too Fast Fault
Drivers sometimes encounter unknown vehicle issues that raise questions. An example would be when one side of the turn indicator flashes quickly but the other side doesn’t.
This fast blinking turn signal is relatively common, but the underlying cause can be confusing. In fact, this could indicate a few different issues. Read on to find out what causes this issue and how to fix it.
Common Causes of Fast Flashing Turn Signals
Diagnosing a fast flashing turn signal bulb is generally considered to be a relatively simple procedure, but it is still very important to pay attention to the details. This type of condition can be caused by any of a few different underlying issues.
Here are some of the most common causes of fast flashing turn signals:
1. Faulty turn signal bulb
2. Incorrectly selected turn signal bulb
3. Broken turn signal module
4. Damaged turn signal wiring or socket
5. Excessive blinking due to recent upgrade to LED bulbs
What to do if your turn signals are blinking fast
When trying to repair a turn signal that blinks fast, you must first determine the root cause of the problem. Following the steps below will help you quickly diagnose your vehicle’s lighting fault and resolve the issue quickly.
1) Check indicator function
If you are trying to determine the root cause of your turn signal problem, you should take a quick walk around the car.
After flipping the turn signal switch to one side or the other, check to see if both the front and rear turn signals on that side work as expected. Then, repeat this process by operating the turn signal switch in the opposite direction.
2) Check power/ground to the non-functioning light.
If you discover that your turn signals are not working, it is important to check for proper power and ground on the corresponding connector. To do this, remove the problem bulb and check the pins in the socket with a test light. If the test lamp’s terminal is connected to earth, one pin in the lamp socket will heat up and the test lamp will light up. Similarly, if the other end of the lamp is connected to a 12-volt power source, contact with the other pin in the socket should light the test lamp.
3) Replace the faulty lamp
If you found a non-functioning turn signal bulb in “Step 1” but have proper power and ground, you will need to install a new bulb. After installation is complete, check that the lamp lights up and flashes normally.
In most cases, this will cause all turn signal lamps to flash back to their normal rhythm.
4) Replace the flasher relay (if necessary)
If your vehicle uses standard bulbs that don’t feature LED technology, but replacing the bulbs doesn’t fix the problem, your turn signal relay may be faulty. This module is available at almost any auto parts store and is usually fairly affordable to buy.
Installing this relay is also usually no more difficult than replacing a fuse. However, you’ll need to refer to your factory-specific service literature when searching for the problem module.
5) Fix resistor-related issues
If you recently replaced your vehicle’s standard turn signal bulbs with replacement LED turn signal bulbs, you may be experiencing a resistor-related issue. Because your vehicle’s turn signal module relies on resistance in the circuit to operate properly, installing a low resistance LED bulb may cause your turn signals to cycle faster, as if the bulb’s filament was open.
To remedy this condition, purchase and install a special in-line resistor to restore the tropical operating characteristics of your turn signal module.