2008 Expy XL tow package fast right turn signal caused???

[jimz]

I get it the rapid turn signal means a light bulb problem but could it mean something else besides a burned out bulb? Is it only for running lights or also inside lights? How about the trailer plugs and wiring to them?

I have looked at bulbs and all looked good. Even third brake light. Right and left sides work equally. A mechanic did say he found a loose bulb and the signal blinked as it should until I hit another bump. Didn't ask which bulb and he isn't there now. Nut!

Suggestions?

 

[Vancouver Bob]

I'm pretty sure it has to be something related to the turn signal. If bulbs check out good then it may be the bulb holder/connector. Sounds like it's intermittent... so I would focus on the problem side (left or right), get access to the bulbs and wiggle things around to see if you can make it come back to zero in on the culprit.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Was just thinking that if you pulled all the bulbs and put them back in you may very well have fixed the problem. So maybe just wait until it comes back to then look at front/back turn signal to see which is giving you grief.

 

[jimz]

Thanks for the fast reply Bob.

I will wiggle signal bulb wires to see if it makes a difference. When the service tec "fixed" the fast-blinking I had already eyeballed the lights during operation and they seemed to work evenly, right and left sides, so I was amazed he said it was a loose bulb.

Also, I have seen somewhere online, forgot where by now, that there are ways to "tighten" loose bulbs. Maybe I need to research that again.

I will check wires at each turn signal bulb but does the computer. I guess it is computer controlled, still see a difference in voltage but the bulb burns? The hands on each bulb is coming up.

Thanks again.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

It's a resistance thing... lower resistance (one bulb is out), higher current, the flasher (capacitor) charges and discharges (flashes) faster.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

Are they currently flashing properly? Slowly, both sides the same?

 

[jimz]

Not the same. Left signal and lights work as they always have. Right side rapid-flashes and all lights look to be burning, same as right side.

When tec at dealership "fixed" them before and they worked most of the trip home, about twelve miles. I used signals for lane changes and all went fine. Then I made a right turn and noticed the rapid-flash was back.

 

[1955moose]

If it were my Suv here's what I'd do. I'd get a new socket and bulb for rear passenger side, splice it in, shove some dielectric grease on terminals of bulb, and be done with it. In most cases it's the rear socket. I'd also do as Vancouver Bob said and do a wiggle test.

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[Vancouver Bob]

Which light rapid flashes, the front or the rear? The other isn't flashing at all, right? Which ever isn't flashing is most likely the culprit. If the tech was able to get it to work you may be able to verify with the wiggling of wires or pushing on the bulb.

 

[chuck s]

Is there really a non-burning bulb? Pretty easy to check it's working despite the fast flash.

Fast flash is an indication there's a bulb out but is merely detecting low resistance from the lack of a bulb burning. Tried contact cleaner in the signal bulb sockets? Comes in a spray can. New flasher relay? Using LEDs by chance (doubt it)? Forscan can fix fast flash in my '17. Not sure what it can do for an '08.

-- Chuck

 

[jimz]

If it were my Suv here's what I'd do. I'd get a new socket and bulb for rear passenger side, splice it in, shove some dielectric grease on terminals of bulb, and be done with it. In most cases it's the rear socket. I'd also do as Vancouver Bob said and do a wiggle test.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

I did pull bulb sockets from light rear housing. With lights on and rapid flashing I pulled sockets, even

Which light rapid flashes, the front or the rear? The other isn't flashing at all, right? Which ever isn't flashing is most likely the culprit. If the tech was able to get it to work you may be able to verify with the wiggling of wires or pushing on the bulb.

Rapid flash is right hand turn signal. Normal speed for left.

 

[jimz]

Is there really a non-burning bulb? Pretty easy to check it's working despite the fast flash.

Fast flash is an indication there's a bulb out but is merely detecting low resistance from the lack of a bulb burning. Tried contact cleaner in the signal bulb sockets? Comes in a spray can. New flasher relay? Using LEDs by chance (doubt it)? Forscan can fix fast flash in my '17. Not sure what it can do for an '08.

-- Chuck

I have not found a bulb that does not burn. Well, so far they all seem to burn and they all are equal in brightness.

I will work on taking each bulb our, cleaning sockets, and reinstall bulbs. That is the next job.

If sockets being cleaned does not do it I will try to find flasher relay but I thought that was on some board and not a separate flasher on these 2008. Since I think there were changes during the 2008 builds I will get my VIN and check changes that way if I can.


No LEDs. I had thought about LEDs but no real reason for it now. Not towing as I did and not even driving as must. In face this Expy has 57,000 miles on it and now I drive less that 3,000 miles a year, and that is between two vehicles. This might be a problem of non-use instead of over/abusive use.


I drove about two hundred miles today to burn some of the old gas. I have tank down to just under one quarter mark now. Once I get close to empty I will refill tank for some fresh gas. I have always kept tank topped off before. It is work for us to keep two vehicles driven to stop them from rotting in place.


I had looked at Forscan but all I have is a Windows computer. No new cellphone and internet here. I am 77 years old and been on computers since computers only had external modems but new phones seem more than I need. Not even sure if the adapter cord and Windows would help but I will check more later since seems good to have. Another fun tool.


Time to relax until Monday. Have a good one.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

When you say they burn equally, I'm assuming they light up. But does one of them not flash? Or do both front and rear (right side) flash rapidly?

 

[jimz]

When you say they burn equally, I'm assuming they light up. But does one of them not flash? Or do both front and rear (right side) flash rapidly?

Front and rear, right side, flash same. Good bulbs.

 

[Vancouver Bob]

In case both are flashing fast... to test out Mooses suggestion... swap out as much of the rear light assembly (left to right) as you can and see if things change.

 

[1955moose]

If all lights are lighting, or burning as you say, I can't see a bulb being your problem. Here's a freebie. Try swapping one bulb at a time from left to right side, see if any change. It's possible one of the bulbs themselves have a loose fit from glass to base. If all bulb swaps don't do it, it's possible something went bad in the flasher module. And yes, after 2003 I believe the flasher being separate went away. Usually though, one side of a flasher failing is pretty rare, but could happen.

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[chuck s]

A search of the PDF version of the 2008 Owners Manual does not shot a turn signal relay.(These are all on line and download in seconds.)

-- Chuck

 

[mquick5]

I had the same symptoms years ago on my Malibu, and it was the hazard button.

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[jimz]

If all lights are lighting, or burning as you say, I can't see a bulb being your problem. Here's a freebie. Try swapping one bulb at a time from left to right side, see if any change. It's possible one of the bulbs themselves have a loose fit from glass to base. If all bulb swaps don't do it, it's possible something went bad in the flasher module. And yes, after 2003 I believe the flasher being separate went away. Usually though, one side of a flasher failing is pretty rare, but could happen.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

I will do that Monday. Thanks for the "freebie"

 

[jimz]

A search of the PDF version of the 2008 Owners Manual does not shot a turn signal relay.(These are all on line and download in seconds.)

-- Chuck

I have the Owners Manual, hard cope and online version. Thanks