Turn signal issue

[Migou]

This is only happening on the left side. When I use the left turn signal, it flashes normally. When the headlights are on, the left signal flashes fast.

I replaced the bulbs front and back, just in case. It still flashes fast only when the headlights are turned on. The side marker on the fender I did not replace. I pulled it out and reinstalled it. There was no corrosion on the bulb.

I’m not sure where to look or what to search for in the forums.

2001 2.5

[Hoyt Clagwell]

This is only happening on the left side. When I use the left turn signal, it flashes normally. When the headlights are on, the left signal flashes fast.

I replaced the bulbs front and back, just in case. It still flashes fast only when the headlights are turned on. The side marker on the fender I did not replace. I pulled it out and reinstalled it. There was no corrosion on the bulb.

I’m not sure where to look or what to search for in the forums.

2001 2.5

Did you go out and manually check to verify that all bulbs are working? I use the 4-ways to check all the signal lights at the same time.

[Migou]

Did you go out and manually check to verify that all bulbs are working? I use the 4-ways to check all the signal lights at the same time.

I did verify that all lights were flashing. I know typically that when the signals flash fast, that a bulb is out.

I have not used the 4 way to check it that way. But to only have the issue when the headlights are turned on is weird.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

I did verify that all lights were flashing. I know typically that when the signals flash fast, that a bulb is out.

I have not used the 4 way to check it that way. But to only have the issue when the headlights are turned on is weird.

That is weird. The 4 way thing is just to quicken the light check. If you have verified that the lights are indeed working then the 4 way check won't give you any extra information. Electrical gremlins are one of my weakest suits.I hope someone with a better understanding of electrical issues will chime in for you.

[Migou]

I turned in the 4 way and all the lights are flashing. One thing I did notice is the left front turn signal is not very bright compared to the right side. The bulbs are brand new. Replaced them today. I used 2357na bulbs.

So that says the left signal isn’t getting the right voltage?

[Hoyt Clagwell]

As I mentioned, electrical issues are not my strong suit but it sounds like you may have a bad/weak connection somewhere. In my motorcycle days, I was on a forum for old Kawis. There was a member who's job was maintaining F1 fighter jets. He always urged us to go over every connector on our bike and clean them. IIRC, his preferred method was using fine sandpaper. De-Oxit should also be good. He cautioned against using dielectric grease. He said it can actually cause conductivity problems. I thought he was being overly picky but when I finally got around to going over my 30 year old bike, the difference was amazing.

It's not very practical to go over the entire Z3's connectors but you could try to locate as many of the connections related to the turn signals as possible a give them a spray with De-oxit.

Anytime I'm working with or near electrical connections, I clean them just as a preventative maintenance thing.

[z3forlife]

It sounds like a possible grounding issue

[wildspeed]

↑ ↑ ↑

Clean the sockets with an electrical contact cleaner or WD40

Mine was doing the same thing, turn signal socket in the driver side headlight was the culprit

[Migou]

It sounds like a possible grounding issue

I would think that a grounding issue would effect more than just one socket?

- - - Updated - - -

As I mentioned, electrical issues are not my strong suit but it sounds like you may have a bad/weak connection somewhere. In my motorcycle days, I was on a forum for old Kawis. There was a member who's job was maintaining F1 fighter jets. He always urged us to go over every connector on our bike and clean them. IIRC, his preferred method was using fine sandpaper. De-Oxit should also be good. He cautioned against using dielectric grease. He said it can actually cause conductivity problems. I thought he was being overly picky but when I finally got around to going over my 30 year old bike, the difference was amazing.

It's not very practical to go over the entire Z3's connectors but you could try to locate as many of the connections related to the turn signals as possible a give them a spray with De-oxit.

Anytime I'm working with or near electrical connections, I clean them just as a preventative maintenance thing.

No dielectric grease? I thought that helped? I did put the grease on them.

- - - Updated - - -

↑ ↑ ↑

Clean the sockets with an electrical contact cleaner or WD40

Mine was doing the same thing, turn signal socket in the driver side headlight was the culprit

Did you get a used one or buy a new one?

[Hoyt Clagwell]

No dielectric grease? I thought that helped? I did put the grease on them.

The fighter jet mechanic said that dielectric grease is non-conductive and can cause problems. When a connection gets warm or hot it can run and pool up. He said that they did not use it on military aircraft.

I have used it off and on to slow oxidation of contacts without issue. I always used it very sparingly, just a very thin film, barely anything. After listening to the fighter jet mechanic, I have just stayed with De-Oxit for harder to reach female plugs and very fine sand paper for male connectors.

[Migou]

The fighter jet mechanic said that dielectric grease is non-conductive and can cause problems. When a connection gets warm or hot it can run and pool up. He said that they did not use it on military aircraft.

I have used it off and on to slow oxidation of contacts without issue. I always used it very sparingly, just a very thin film, barely anything. After listening to the fighter jet mechanic, I have just stayed with De-Oxit for harder to reach female plugs and very fine sand paper for male connectors.

I used it sparingly. Just enough to keep any possible corrosion out of the plug.

[Migou]

↑ ↑ ↑

Clean the sockets with an electrical contact cleaner or WD40

Mine was doing the same thing, turn signal socket in the driver side headlight was the culprit

It was something of a grounding issue. The plug was fine, but in the process of me replacing the headlights, the ground wire came unplugged. The wire that plugs on the side of the socket. Not sure how it managed to get unplugged, but it did.

I plugged it back in and all is good.

Thanks for the assistance. Thanks for everyone’s assistance.

[Hoyt Clagwell]

It was something of a grounding issue. The plug was fine, but in the process of me replacing the headlights, the ground wire came unplugged. The wire that plugs on the side of the socket. Not sure how it managed to get unplugged, but it did.

I plugged it back in and all is good.

Thanks for the assistance. Thanks for everyone’s assistance.

Thanks for the follow up with resolution.
Glad you found the problem.

[Migou]

Thanks for the follow up with resolution.
Glad you found the problem.

Sometimes it’s easy. It’s helpful when it is.

I missed it at first. After pulling the plug out and really looking at it, I noticed the ground wire was just hanging out not connected.

I have no idea how that got disconnected.

Oh well. It’s fixed. On to other things.

[z3forlife]

Gremlins.