Intermittently working turn signals.

[Mustang_Cougar]

For the last month or so, I've had a problem with intermittently working turn signals on my '97 Grand Caravan. It's only happened a few times and always at the beginning of my morning commute. What usually happens is I pull up to the first stop sign, hit the turn stalk, the signal flashes once and then stops. I can get it to work again by either cycling the emergency flashers once or turning the ignition off/on; generally, that solves the problem for the rest of my commute.

Should I start troubleshooting this by just replacing the flasher relay? If that doesn't do it, what next?

Thanks for any help.

M_C

 

[Quattro Pete]

I had a similar problem on my old A4. It was in fact the hazards/flasher relay that had to be replaced.

 

[Mustang_Cougar]

The flasher relay was my first thought, but it's a combo unit on this vehicle (it controls both the turn signal & e-flashers). As such, why would the e-flashers work but not the turn signals?

Oh well, off to order a new relay I guess.

Thanks.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Mustang_Cougar
The flasher relay was my first thought, but it's a combo unit on this vehicle (it controls both the turn signal & e-flashers). As such, why would the e-flashers work but not the turn signals?

I don't know exactly, but it was the same in my car. The relay was actually integrated into the flashers button, and the emergency flashers still worked even though the turn signals were acting up.

 

[brandini]

Happened to me on a 99 300m, replaced the combo flasher from rockauto, voila!

 

[oilboy123]

My Daughter's 96 Taurus after replacing flashers and making sure all lights were OK. I replaced the turn signal stalk. Have not heard of her having any problems since.

 

[The_Jeff]

On a caravan of that vintage when you have any weird electrical issues, pull the HVAC controls apart and make sure the power connection isn't all corroded. That's where the body control module gets its juice, and it has its tentacles in lots of stuff. Probably a dinger if you forget your turn signal for 1/2 a mile or something.

 

[Mustang_Cougar]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
On a caravan of that vintage when you have any weird electrical issues, pull the HVAC controls apart and make sure the power connection isn't all corroded. That's where the body control module gets its juice, and it has its tentacles in lots of stuff.

It's funny you bring that up: When I turn on the HVAC fan control knob, there is a loud click from behind the center stack. Now I'm wondering if that is the gremlin...

For now, I'll get $25 relay and try that first. If it fails to correct the situation, I'll tackle the fun job of tearing into a minivan console. Meh...

 

[Steve S]

Is there another like relay to switch?

 

[Mustang_Cougar]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
Is there another like relay to switch?


Unfortunately, no: The others are all Legos, the e-flasher/turn signal is a Duplo.

 

[Steve S]

can't win.

 

[lenjack]

That's the way they're supposed to work! on-off-on-off-on-off-...

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

 

[RacerE7773]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
I had a similar problem on my old A4. It was in fact the hazards/flasher relay that had to be replaced.
Same with my Impala. I still have to get the $ for the part and then rip the dash off to get to the relay.