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Thread: Wired turn signal issue

  1. #1
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    Wired turn signal issue

    So I took my M Roadster out for a spin this weekend and no issues with the turn signals. Took it out tonight and right blinker blinks fast. I have seen this before on my other cars and bikes. When bulb is out, or wrong resistance bulb is in, or a relay. Well, it dawn on me that over weekend I did not drive in the dark. So I shut the lights off, blinker goes to normal speed. I turn my parking lights on, it blinks 3x faster. All bulbs are working. I shut the parking lights off and it’s back to normal. This just started happening because I drove this car in the dark before and so not recall blinkers going bonkers. Any ideas?
    Last edited by DimrBimmer; 10-04-2018 at 06:13 PM.

  2. #2
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    Bad ground on one of the turn signals, probably in the rear housing.
    I like the unicorns.
    '99 Z3 Coupe - Jet Black/Black (1-of-114)
    '99 M Coupe - Estoril Blue/Black (1-of-82)
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by DimrBimmer View Post
    So I shit the lights off
    Did it hurt?
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  4. #4
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    Best post I've seen in a while!! Too funny

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by s8ilver View Post
    Did it hurt?
    LOL. In my defense, it was roughly 1:30am and I was typing it from my phone and “u” and “i” are right next to each other. That said, it is pretty funny indeed. Now instead of laughing, propose a solution. One that does not involve a jar of lube, or a trip to proctologist.

  6. #6
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    Is the 3x blink on both sides or just one? If one, have you swapped bulbs side to side to see if the problem followed?
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by s8ilver View Post
    Is the 3x blink on both sides or just one? If one, have you swapped bulbs side to side to see if the problem followed?
    One side only. Will be doing that over weekend. Still curious why is it not doing it all the time and only does it when parking lights are on. I guess I will know more on Saturday.

  8. #8
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    When the parking lights are off, your turn signal is able to ground through the parking light wire. But when the parking lights are on and there is voltage there, that ground path goes away.

    Either that or you are low on blinker fluid.
    Last edited by JoshS; 10-05-2018 at 12:16 AM.
    I like the unicorns.
    '99 Z3 Coupe - Jet Black/Black (1-of-114)
    '99 M Coupe - Estoril Blue/Black (1-of-82)
    '03 540iT - Sterling Gray/Black (1-of-24)
    '16 Z4 sDrive35i - Estoril Blue/Walnut (1-of-8)

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by JoshS View Post

    Either that or you are low on blinker fluid.
    Oh wow, maybe I should go and pick some up ASAP, before it blows a rod...

    PS, thanks for clarification. Some of us just getting into this hobby. But hey, sense of humor is a healthy thing. So, bring it on!
    Last edited by DimrBimmer; 10-05-2018 at 08:12 AM.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by DimrBimmer View Post
    But hey, sense of humor is a healthy thing. So, bring it on!
    I remember the first time someone on my Audi forum told a guy to check his mirror fluid. The guy thought he was was being messed with and threw a fit until he realized there actually was mirror fluid.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by s8ilver View Post
    I remember the first time someone on my Audi forum told a guy to check his mirror fluid. The guy thought he was was being messed with and threw a fit until he realized there actually was mirror fluid.
    Funny, as I started reading your last reply, I was thinking it’s going to go the other way and was about to say “but there is fluid in the rear view mirror...” LOL
    Yes, and on one of my motorcycle forums, newbies always get dinged on getting the slower red model vs. faster blue due to wind resistance to the color shade and etc... some would bite.

  12. #12
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    If you let all the magic smoke out of your electronics they quit working.

  13. #13
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    Wired turn signal issue

    Quote Originally Posted by z3forlife View Post
    If you let all the magic smoke out of your electronics they quit working.
    Yeah. This is one place the British got it right over the Germans. They sell replacement smoke.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I like the unicorns.
    '99 Z3 Coupe - Jet Black/Black (1-of-114)
    '99 M Coupe - Estoril Blue/Black (1-of-82)
    '03 540iT - Sterling Gray/Black (1-of-24)
    '16 Z4 sDrive35i - Estoril Blue/Walnut (1-of-8)

  14. #14
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    So I let all the magic smoke out, kicked the hamster wheel and wiggled the connector on my front right blinker and it’s back to normal. Disaster avoided. Thank you to very wise members of this board. Wise or wise asses , nevertheless all is good. Thank you!

  15. #15
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    Cool. Glad to hear you tracked it down. I'd pull the bulb and clean up the contacts and check the wire/connector. Use a little dielectric grease on reassembly and you should be good. These kind of problems have a tendency to come & go.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by z3forlife View Post
    Cool. Glad to hear you tracked it down. I'd pull the bulb and clean up the contacts and check the wire/connector. Use a little dielectric grease on reassembly and you should be good. These kind of problems have a tendency to come & go.
    Thanks for the tip!

  17. #17
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    Had the same issue recently. Swapped the relay and no change, took both the bulbs out to check for corrosion etc and put them back. Been working fine ever since

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