Please Help! Turns Signals All Screwed Up!

[Couverman98682]

Did you check your Blinker Fluid level?

[demeegod]

LOL blinker fluid. COuld someone tell me more about this blinker assembly?

[motorsport]

ha fluid for yea...ok it isnt really an assembly it and electronic part that controls the blinking. you say your left blinker still works? click it on and listen to that noise that is the blinker. if you click your right blinker on and it doesnt make that same noise you need a new blinker for the right side.

[aceyx]

the assembly (relay) is just a switch. when you move the arm on the steering column, you're activating a switch . . . that activates a switch (the relay).

if one of those switches is bad (the relay), your blinker will bonker.


a properly functioning relay will audibly "click," since it's electromechanical. so, listen to motorsport's advice and listen.

exactly which relay are you listening for? well, it should be right next to the one that works. it should also be noted by the chart on the underside of the fusebox lid. if it's not there, it's probably above the driver's side kick panel.

if your key is in position 2, you should be able to hear just the two relays going at it. it may work in position 1 as well, but i'm really not in a thinking mood right now.


since the relay will make a noise every time the position is changed (on to off and off to on) it will be clicking in direct proportion to the speed of the blink. or possibly, not at all. it's likely the broken relay won't click at the same volume either (very muted).

if two different relays are going clickety-click, then you've got a wiring problem. in which case, i suggest taking it to a professional.

[mharrigan]

I haven't really looked into this on the BMW, but on most cars there is one blinker for the left/right turn signals and a second blinker for the emergency lights. Since the emergency lights blink on one side only and the turn signals blink on the same side, I don't think it's either of the blinkers.

My diagnosis is a bad fuse (left and right sides may have separate fuses for turn signals). Definitely check this. The lid of the fuse box tells which fuses do what. Don't trust your vision - test the fuses by either swapping them or using an ohmmeter. The other likelihood is a problem with the switch associated with the turn signal stalk in the steering column. This will be difficult and possible expensive to fix since you probably have to replace the assembly. The assembly is complicated since it controls turn signals, hi/lo beams and OBC.

[wasabinuki]

BUMP:

I have the same problem and would like to know if it's the relay that is causing the problem. I don't want to drop $100 on a relay and have that not be the problem.

[Will'sBimmer]

Originally Posted by mharrigan

I haven't really looked into this on the BMW, but on most cars there is one blinker for the left/right turn signals and a second blinker for the emergency lights. Since the emergency lights blink on one side only and the turn signals blink on the same side, I don't think it's either of the blinkers.

I think what Motorsport and everyone else was trying to say was that if the left side doesnt blink at all as you indicated in your quote. Then it is more than likely the relay. It is pretty rare for something like the control arm switch on the steering post to have a promblem. If it did i think that you wouldnt be able to use the other features that are associated with that control arm. I would go buy a new relay.

[318iS]

turn on the indicator and get over to the flasher relay and hit it and see what happens....

[wasabinuki]

Well I dropped $50 for a new flasher relay and I still have the problem, as well as some more information. When I put in the new relay and hit my hazzards both sides appeared to work for a split second, then I heard a pop. I though "oh crap" there goes $50 for the relay, but it turned out to be the 15 amp fuse (#34 on my 97ti) that controls the flashers. So I put in a new fuse and it instantly blew. So I pulled the new relay and put in my old one (where only the passenger side lights blink) and replaced the fuse. Now I am back to square a where only the passenger side blinks, but all my running lights work (DRIVE and PASS). It's not the end of the world since my running lights all work - it's just that I would like to be able to signal when I make a left turn

[newagecustoms]

I am having this same problem, i just finished reassembling my car in the bodyshop and now my blinkers on the left (drivers) side dont work. I didnt touch any of the wiring when I disassembled and reassembled. Is this going to be a new e36 flaw like the damn window regulators?

[wasabinuki]

Take all 3 bulbs out on the drivers side. Put one in at a time and try the signal. If it works on the socket you're trying move on to the next until you find the one that is shot. I had the same problem and I found that the rear indicator socket was shorting out. You might also need a new flasher relay. Good luck.

[zboot]

Originally Posted by wasabinuki

Take all 3 bulbs out on the drivers side. Put one in at a time and try the signal. If it works on the socket you're trying move on to the next until you find the one that is shot. I had the same problem and I found that the rear indicator socket was shorting out. You might also need a new flasher relay. Good luck.

Actually, to be thorough, you should check all the bulbs individually. . .it could be possible that two or more could cause the issue even though chances are it will only be one.

[poolerb]

I had a similer problem. but my hazzards go off every time i use the wimdow or push any button in the car. WEIRD