With the advancement in technology, vehicles are safer than ever. Not only do they have some of the best braking systems, but they also have safety features that protect other drivers as well.
A fantastic example of such a safety feature is turn signals. These signals alert other drivers as you turn, stop, change lanes, and even overtake other motorists.
But just like any other car part, these signals wear out or become defective after some time. So, if you see your turn signals blinking very fast, you shouldn’t be worried. This is a typical car problem and can be diagnosed quickly and easily.
In this post, we will discuss what causes the turn signal to flash fast on one side and how to fix it.
What Is A Turn Signal?
First and foremost, it is vital to define what a turn signal is. A turn signal is a device that shows the direction through blinking front and rear headlights. The driver uses this signal to alert others of the turn he intends to make.
Here are the reasons why your turn signals are blinking fast and how to rectify the issue:
Bad Light Bulb
If you change a burnt bulb in the circuit with a bulb with a wrong wattage, the turn signal will start to blink fast. This is because the wrong bulb with the incorrect wattage will make the relay flash at a faulty frequency.
For instance, if the bulb has a higher wattage, it will utilize more power and alter the flasher relay’s flashing speed.
In some instances, motorists replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. This will also affect the turn signal lights that were predominately designed for incandescent bulbs. Besides, LED bulbs utilize less current than incandescent bulbs, which will make them flash fast.
How To Fix It
All you need to do is to change the bulbs and install the right ones. Make sure you match the wattage of the new bulbs with the ones in the turn signal.
Flasher Relay Issues
A flasher relay doubles up as the turn signal lights’ switch. Many vehicles come with a particular flasher relay designed to match their turn signal configuration. Therefore, if your flasher relay is damaged and replace it with a relay with a wrong configuration, the light will start to blink.
How To Fix It
Always change a flasher relay that is meant for your vehicle instead of using a universal relay. This will work smoothly as the wattage and blinking speed will be the same.
One Of The Bulbs Has Burned Out
The first part you should inspect is the turn signal lights. If any of the turn signal bulbs are burnt out, the flashers will begin to blink fast. This is because there will be more current than normal flowing through the flasher.
Thus, it will speed up the flashing rate, making the remaining bulb to blink faster.
With one bulb burnt, the flasher relay will be put under pressure as it is built to handle a pair. Also, the bulbs work in a circuit; thus, if one of them is burnt or faulty, the good one won’t function properly.
How To Fix It
Determine if the bulb is burnt out or if there is another issue. Some vehicles are easy to access, while others may require removing the bumper or air filter box to access the burnt bulb.
If the bulb is burnt, you will see a broken wire inside or black fog. Simply change the bulb, and the turn signal light will flash okay.
Turn Signal Flashes On One Side But Bulbs Are Good
Faulty Flasher Relay
If your turn signal is flashing fast, but all the bulbs are okay, then there is a chance that the flash relay is not working well. This is usually caused by a lack of enough voltage or corrosion or rust on the fuse, socket, or pins.
If water finds its way into the socket or pins, it may end up corroding these parts and affect the current. As a result, the turn signal lights may blink faster or slower.
How To Fix It
Clean the socket and pins and see whether the lights turns on without flashing fast. If they don’t, then you may require replacing them with new ones. Replace the corroded socket and pins, and you will have your turn signal bulbs working fine.
Bad Turn Signal Fuse
Aside from the flasher relay, you should also inspect your turn signal fuse. If the fuse is blown out or damaged, you need to replace it. It may be the reason why the turn signal bulb is blinking faster. But first, inspect and make sure it is a problem.
How To Fix It
The fuse is typically located below the steering wheel or passenger footwell. If you don’t have electrical skills, you should contact a professional mechanic to replace it. But if you want to replace it by yourself, use the user’s manual to identify the blown fuse and replace it with the good one
Bad Ground Connection
A poor connection can also cause the turn signal bulbs to flash faster. Inspect the wire and make sure that there is no damage, rust, or misconnection. On top of that, look for an open circuit as it can cause this condition, too.
If there is an open circuit, the wire may touch the car’s body, forming a short to the ground. This may cause the circuit to blow or the turn signal lights to become defective and blink faster.
How To Fix It
You can quickly fix this if you have electrical knowledge or just basic wiring experience. Simply trace the ground wire and retighten if it is poorly connected or replace if it’s damaged.
Precautions To Take When Fixing Car Electrical Issues
If you’re experienced in handling car electrical issues, you can go ahead and fix these issues by yourself. But if you don’t have the experience, you may be better off contacting a professional mechanic.
DIY-enthusiasts are recommended to follow the repair manual for their car when handling vehicle electrical circuit faults. This manual is crucial as it helps identify the wires, car parts, and related connections.
Also, they let you know how to access the turn signal, troubleshoot, and replace damaged parts. If you have a digital multimeter and OBD2 scanner, the process becomes even easier.
Bottom Line
Now that you know why your turn signal is flashing fast on one side, you should fix it right away. However, if you don’t have experience handling vehicle electrical problems, you should contact a professional mechanic. We hope this guide has been helpful!
With comprehensive experience in writing exceptional quality articles and blogs about cars and related stuff, Daniel is one of the finest bloggers and a hardcore car lover we have. He is an ASE certified technician with an across-the-board experience of 10 years in the industry. He could not help tinkering with anything he got his hands on from a young age, which led to his remarkable career in the automotive repair industry.
When he is not under any hood, you can find him on the water or in the woods to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He has been writing for multiple sectors and is a regular contributor to several publications.
He currently owns a Nissan 300ZX TT and a Pearl Yellow but plans to upgrade it to 550 HP. His favorites include the Koenigsegg CCX and Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT, but for him, the Ferrari 360 Spider is one of the sexiest cars that exists to date.
Being an avid world traveler, he has spent most of his time analyzing the automotive markets, latest technology, and local favorites to enhance his knowledge base. He is currently living in North Caroline, where it’s all about food and coffee and, of course, cars.
