Lazy Turn signals

SVX-FF · #1 06-01-2006, 09:27 PM

OK I have never in all my many, not as many as old Tom, years of working on cars had this type of problem

Every morning for the past 3 day my turn signals have not worked.
1st day about 80 deg in the morning.
2nd day about 76 deg in the morning.
3rd day about 70 deg in the morning.

I drove my car twice before noon and they still do not work . They only start working after about 12 O'clock.

I have been doing a lot of think on my thinking seat

and i can not think of why it would act up like that.

I have not checked the hazard switch yet, I will tomorrow. I can only presume that the relay is fluky, but only start working after lunch, WTF!??!

Steve

SVX-FF · #2 06-02-2006, 05:51 AM

Well my turn signals did not work again this morning. The temp was around 64 deg. I played with the switch and nothing. I pressed the hazard switch and they all blinked. Tried the turn signals again and they worked.

I thought that the hazard relay and the turn relay were separate.

Anybody have a thought. on this?

Steve

Hocrest · #3 06-02-2006, 06:55 AM

Maybe reset the clock in the dash about 6 hours early???

I don't know... thats an odd one...

Earthworm · #4 06-02-2006, 12:39 PM

stock wattage bulbs?

proper system voltage?

any change if you turn the wheel? (poor connection to switch)

Suby Fan · #5 06-02-2006, 12:52 PM

replacing the hazard switch might do it that is hooked up to the whole system and when it is unpluged turn signals dont work

BIRD · #6 06-02-2006, 04:22 PM

I have the same issue with mine from time to time, I have a 92 LS, with 64K, just about everything original. I just switch the hazards on, then the blinkers work again. I have gotten used to it. In the past year that I have owned the car, it has happened maybe 20-30 times. Bird

Trevor · #7 06-02-2006, 05:55 PM

Flasher relays/units are normally a thermal device, whereby a bimetal element is heated, bends to move a contact, breaks the contact, and the cycle repeats.

It is interesting that the original query introduced ambient temperature into the equation. It could be that this is in effect relevant. But whatever, the flasher relay/unit is the suspect item.

nipper · #8 06-02-2006, 06:22 PM

What may seem warm to you is cold to the car. The flasher is bimetalic or solidstate (i think its still bimetalic in these cars). If the 4 ways are working the flasher is working. I am pretty sure they dont have thier own flashers anymore. Basically your turn signal switch is tired. The contatcs are either worn or dirty, and then add in the extra resistance of all the bulbs (which may have dirty contacts) you dont have enough current flow to operate the flasher.
Interestingly the bimetalic flashers when a bulb is out stays lit because there is not enough current draw to heat it up and flash. The solidstate one flash at double speed when a bulb is out. i also think (not sure) when the solid state one fails, it wont function at all.
Have you tried pushing or pulling the stalk to see if you can make contact in the switch?

nipper

Trevor · #9 06-02-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX-FF

Well my turn signals did not work again this morning. The temp was around 64 deg. I played with the switch and nothing. I pressed the hazard switch and they all blinked. Tried the turn signals again and they worked.

I thought that the hazard relay and the turn relay were separate.

Anybody have a thought. on this?

Steve

The SVX flasher appears to be a bimetal thermal relay. Although because there is no obvious change in the flashing rate, between hazard and turn signals, this makes one suspect a non current sensitive device.

The turn signal switch provides direct individual circuits to the turn lights. The hazard switch a second separate set of parallel circuits and not a changeover arrangement.

The hazard switch connects the flasher to alternatively, an only ignition on fused circuit, when in the off position and a direct fused circuit, when in the on position. This could be the circuit and set of hazard switch contacts to most likely have an effect.

Switching to the hazard lights would have doubled the load on the flasher and could have overridden/cleared an intermittent fault within the flasher and I would bet on a faulty flasher unit as the most likely cause of your problem.

CDG · #10 06-03-2006, 11:36 AM

Has anyone mentioned replacing the flasher relay with an electronic one? that has alway been the best option, they don't care about the load, they just flash. (they have a little lepricon in there that moves the relay for you)

SVX-FF · #11 06-03-2006, 12:47 PM

Thanks Trevor.
I had to read it a few time, I'm a little slow at times

, but I understand now. I used the car this morning and the turn signals worked fine. I will check into a new relay.

Chris G. what are you talking about an electronic flasher relay. were could I get one to try.

Steve

CDG · #12 06-03-2006, 01:09 PM

Any local auto parts sells the 2 and 3 connector flasher relays, in thermal and electronic.
The SVX doesn't use a custom flasher does it?

Trevor · #13 06-03-2006, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDG

Any local auto parts sells the 2 and 3 connector flasher relays, in thermal and electronic.
The SVX doesn't use a custom flasher does it?

As I pointed out everything points towards an electronic flasher and it will be a three connector type. I see no reason why Subaru would not use the common tried and proven design. If the connectors are the same you can be confident in using an ordinary replacement.

Dubya-r-ex · #14 11-08-2009, 12:26 AM

Where is the flasher or flasher relay located? I think I am having a problem with mine. I just recently had to replace the alternator due to a bad voltage regulator. It was actually cheaper through the dealer to do it this way rather than buy the regulator. Anyhow, the flasher........back to that.......where is it?

SoCal LS-L · #15 11-08-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubya-r-ex

Where is the flasher or flasher relay located? I think I am having a problem with mine. I just recently had to replace the alternator due to a bad voltage regulator. It was actually cheaper through the dealer to do it this way rather than buy the regulator. Anyhow, the flasher........back to that.......where is it?

The hazard/turn signal "control unit" is under the driver side dash, right of the steering column. If you have hazards or turn signals, you can turn them on and listen for the clicking. I did not see a regular flasher unit as per the service manual, just the control unit.