One of the many bizarre issues that you may face as a car owner is the front turn signal not working but rear does. While your first instinct might be to replace the turn signal bulb, the bulb might not actually be faulty. Turn signals can stop working due to a number of reasons, and a faulty bulb is only one of them. If your turn signal doesn’t work even after replacing the bulb but the rear one continues to work just fine, read on to learn about the potential issues and how to fix them.
Common Reasons Behind Turn Signals Not Working
A faulty signal relay is the most common culprit behind front and rear turn signals not working. This issue, thankfully, is pretty cheap and easy to fix – you can replace the signal relay yourself. However, if only one or both of the front turn signals are non-functional while the rear ones still work, it’s possibly due to an electrical grounding or poor issue. Here’s a quick troubleshooting guide to help you detect the issue.
| Issues | Troubleshooting solutions |
|---|---|
| Faulty turn signal bulbs | Test a new bulb in the turn indicator to see if it’s the current bulb that’s faulty. You can also look for broken filaments – an instant sign of a faulty bulb. |
| Corroded bulb sockets | If changing the bulb doesn’t work, check the bulb socket for signs of corrosion. |
| Faulty turn signal relay | Replace the existing signal relay with a new one and test it the same way you tested the bulb. |
| Loose connections | Unplug the plugs for the turn signals and check if the connections are secure. Fix any loose connections, plug them back in, and see if the lights work. |
| Damaged wiring and connections | Examine the harness, connector, housing, and socket carefully for signs of overheating, corrosion, or other damages. |
| Poor grounding | The turn signals have grounding wires that are connected to the vehicle’s chassis. |
| Faulty turn signal switch | Check the power side connection to the turn signal switch – a bad or open connection would prevent it from working normally. |
Front Left Turn Signal Not Working – What to Do?
If none of your turn signals are working, the chances are high that your car has a faulty turn signal relay. The easiest way to test a relay is to replace it to swap it with another relay of the same type and see if the problem moves to the other part of the vehicle. Signal relays are pretty cheap – just buy a new one and replace the faulty relay.
Front Left Turn Signal Not Working – What to Do?
If a specific turn signal isn’t working but the bulb is fine, it’s likely an electrical issue. Check the plugs and the wirings carefully, looking for signs of damage and corrosion. Fix any loose connections, replace damaged components, and plug it back in to see if the light works now. If the issue persists, inspect for grounding issues – loose grounding wires can stop the signal lights from working
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What to do if the turn lights flash too fast or too slow?
If one of your turn signals flashes faster than usual, it’s possibly because the bulb has worn out. However, installing the wrong type of turn indicator bulb for your vehicle can cause it to flash unusually fast or slow too.
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Turn Signal Not Working But Bulb is Good
2. Why are my hazard lights working but the turn signals aren’t?
In vehicles that have different relays for turn signals and hazard lights, a faulty turn signal relay won’t affect the hazard lights. The latter would continue working normally even when the turn signals don’t flash. While a faulty relay indicator is the most common reason, this issue can also be caused by a problem in the wiring or the fuses.
3. What to do if the dashboard turn indicators don’t work but the outside lights do?
If your turn signal lights are actually working fine but the dashboard indicators don’t flash, it’s most likely because the dashboard light bulbs have blown out or the bulb sockets are corroded
Endnote
Driving with non-functional or faulty turn signals can be extremely hazardous. Inspect for potential problems and fix your indicators before getting your vehicle back on the road. If you aren’t able to troubleshoot the issue yourself or it’s too complicated for you to fix, you can always let a professional take care of it