All drivers occasionally find themselves in a unique situation they have never encountered before.
When this occurs, many questions are raised as the driver wonders why any abrupt anomaly in the operation of their vehicle occurred. Continue reading if your turn signal is flashing rapidly.
When a turn signal or turn signal flashes quickly on one side of the car but not the other, this situation frequently draws the notice of a driver who is paying attention.
Even though this is a fairly frequent occurrence, the exact origin of the issue is still unclear.
A turn signal bulb can flicker quickly for several reasons, which might signify various issues. Continue reading to learn more about fast flickering turn signals and how to fix them if they happen again.
How do turning signals function?
You must first comprehend the fundamental concepts underlying turn signal operation to understand the cause of turn signals that blink quickly.
An underbody junction box is frequently the source of the fused hot wire that supplies electricity to a vehicle’s turn signal circuit.
The turn signal switch, which is situated along the car’s steering column, receives power from this hot wire via a flasher module.
The circuit is finished, and energy is sent to the front and rear turn signals on the chosen side of the car when the driver turns the turn signal switch up or down.
The electricity to these lights is momentarily interrupted as it travels through the circuit’s flasher module as opposed to being continuously sent to them.
In this module, connections are made and broken by the expansion and contraction of a heat-sensitive interface.
When power is applied to the flasher bulb’s filament, the circuit impacts the resistance, which is the basis for how the flasher module functions.
A damaged filament in a turn signal bulb decreases this resistance by design, which speeds up the operation of the flasher module and causes the remaining bulb to flash considerably more quickly.
Common causes of a turn signal that blinks quickly
For several reasons, a flasher flickers rapidly. Although diagnosing a turn signal bulb that is rapidly flashing is typically thought to be a pretty simple process, attention to detail is still crucial.
This kind of condition may result from several various underlying problems.
Some of the most frequent reasons for turn signals that flash quickly are listed below.
- Defective turn signal bulb
- Incorrectly chosen turn signal bulb
- Malfunctioning turn signal module
- Damaged wiring or a turn signal plug
- Hyperflicker brought on by the recent switch to LED bulbs
Fast flickering turn signal: How to fix it
Before attempting to remedy a turn signal that flashes erratically, identify the source of the issue.
You may rapidly determine the cause of your vehicle’s lighting failure by following the procedures listed below, enabling you to take immediate corrective action.
1. Verify the turn signals’ functionality.
It’s crucial to quickly stroll around your car when trying to pinpoint the source of a turn signal-related issue.
Verify that the front and rear turn signals on this side work as expected after moving the turn signal switch in either direction. Repeat this procedure when the turn signal switch is linked in the other order.
2. Inspect the power and ground of the broken lights.
It is crucial to verify that the power and grounding are correct at the proper socket if any turn signal lights are not functioning.
This can be done by taking out the problematic bulb and using a test light to look at the prongs of the receptacle.
One of the pins on the bulb receptacle should be hot, illuminating the test light while the clamp end of the test light is grounded.
Similarly, when the opposite end of the lamp is connected to a 12-volt power source, contact with the other end of the receptacle should illuminate the test light.
3. Change damaged bulbs
If, during “step 1,” you discover a flasher bulb that isn’t working, but the proper power and ground delivery were confirmed, a replacement bulb needs to be placed.
Make that the bulb glows and flashes as expected after installation.
Most of the time, doing so will also reinstate the regular flashing rate for all turn signal bulbs.
4. Replace the turn signal module in four (if necessary).
If your automobile uses conventional non-LED bulbs and changing the bulb does not ease your worries, the flasher module of the car becomes questionable.
Almost every auto parts store carries this module, typically sold at an acceptable cost.
Usually, installing this module is no more challenging than changing a fuse. Factory-specific service manuals should be examined when locating the required module.
5. Fix resistance-related issues
You may experience resistor issues if you just changed your car’s factory-installed turn signal bulbs with aftermarket LED turn signal bulbs.
Installing low-resistance LED bulbs can make the flasher cycle quickly, making it appear as though the bulb filament is open, as the flasher module of a car depends on the resistance in the circuit for proper operation.
To solve this issue, a flasher module’s tropical operating characteristics can be restored by purchasing and installing specific in-line resistors.
Is a quick flasher forbidden?
Is it OK for a car’s flasher to flash quickly? A rapid blinker may or may not be against the law, depending on the circumstances, according to the U.S.
Department of Transportation, turn signals should not flash more frequently than 120 times per minute. The lowest allowed threshold may be significantly lower under specific state legislation.
Thus, the legality of hyper flashing dramatically depends upon its precise pace and the state in which it is driven.
Hyperlinking may, at the very least, cause law enforcement to pay more attention. Other drivers may become distracted by the hyperactive flasher’s quick flashing.
