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Intermittent Blinker Failure

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by Berkdawg, Jun 22, 2017.

  1. Jun 22, 2017 at 11:57 AM
    #1
    Berkdawg

    Berkdawg [OP] New Member

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    Maybe six months ago I thought I had a burned out right front blinker/running light so I replaced the bulb. I am now experiencing the fast blinker symptom, but it is very random on the same light. One time the blinker works and the next time it is fast. The randomness of the failure makes me think it might be electrical. I have done nothing to the trucks lighting or electrical.

    Yes- I have checked the blinker fluid.

    The blinker is working fine today.

    Has anyone else heard of this or experienced it?
     
  2. Jun 22, 2017 at 12:03 PM
    #2
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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  3. Jun 22, 2017 at 1:23 PM
    #3
    Berkdawg

    Berkdawg [OP] New Member

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  4. Jun 22, 2017 at 1:41 PM
    #4
    landphil

    landphil Fish are food, not friends!

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    Do both the front and rear signals actually flash when you get the rapid flashing?

    If not, check for burnt or loose contacts in the bulb socket.

    If they do flash rapidly,
    make sure you used the exact bulb number. I think it's 4157NA for the fronts on our second gens, but double check your owners manual on that. Other bulbs (like the common 3157) look the same, will fit, but have different wattage and can cause issues.
     
  5. Jun 22, 2017 at 2:02 PM
    #5
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    You guys are totally slipping. This is Tundras.com where we have fun.

    Check the blinker fluid yet?:D
     
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  6. Jun 22, 2017 at 2:04 PM
    #6
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    To back up Phils great answer, check for corrosion in the bulb socket. This was getting me on my Tundra and it pissed me off.
     
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  7. Jun 22, 2017 at 6:02 PM
    #7
    Berkdawg

    Berkdawg [OP] New Member

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    The front bulb actually quits working as a blinker and running light and then returns to normal operation on the next turn. Today I had no problems.

    ColoradoTJ- I flushed and refilled the blinker fluid so that is not it. I will check for corrosion. Thanks
     
    dragos28, T-Rex266 and ColoradoTJ like this.
  8. Jun 23, 2017 at 3:05 PM
    #8
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    Make certain that the bulb is pressed into the socket all the way. This has happened to me. Use the bulb on the other side for reference.
     
  9. Dec 14, 2019 at 2:00 PM
    #9
    jimbob84

    jimbob84 New Member

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    I've had the same issue with a Sequioa, I've had the bulbs out to check em...intermittent failure, seems to be to do with the cold weather?

    Did you manage to find the issue/get it fixed?
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2019
  10. Dec 14, 2019 at 2:32 PM
    #10
    Scuba

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    I would check the wiring for shorts.

    My Tundra my LF headlight bulb had part of the wire split inside the insulation. Thought the bulb went out but the wire split because it bent 90* right outside the connector.

    My Tacoma had my alternator quit charging intermittently because the charging signal wire broke inside the insulation because of its 90* curve right outside the connector.
     
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  11. Dec 14, 2019 at 2:46 PM
    #11
    MT Madman

    MT Madman Just an ordinary guy

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    Also look for corrosion, dirt, water inside the bulb socket. I had this problem on a '69 Olds I had back in the stone ages, I cleaned it up the best I could with a pencil eraser and then applied a little vasoline on the bulb when I put it back in.
     
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  12. Dec 14, 2019 at 4:07 PM
    #12
    jimbob84

    jimbob84 New Member

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    Thank you for the suggestions, perhaps I need to look more closely...already had a look, all looks clean & dry, though no sign of any dielectric grease so perhaps that's involved. Starting to wonder if something is loose further back towards the switch.

     
  13. Dec 14, 2019 at 4:09 PM
    #13
    jimbob84

    jimbob84 New Member

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    That sounds like a more serious issue, requiring replacement of sections of wiring harness for lights? I'm not seeing any hard corners on the wiring...but haven't followed it far back.

     
  14. Dec 14, 2019 at 5:51 PM
    #14
    Scuba

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    The headlamp socket wire has a hard corner because it is right in front of the battery. That wiring is stuffed in there.
     
  15. Dec 15, 2019 at 10:38 AM
    #15
    Berkdawg

    Berkdawg [OP] New Member

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    Mine is the harness into the plug. For now I just used a silicon bead across the wires to hold them and it has worked for two years. I may have to replace the pins at some point.
     
  16. Jan 10, 2020 at 5:47 PM
    #16
    jimbob84

    jimbob84 New Member

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    The bulb is fine...


    Contacts fine...


    These harness wires into the ‘plug’ (?) look OK?


    Not overly keen to start cutting into this spaghetti of wiring...

    So I don’t see anything obviously wrong, I hesitate to do anything that might make it worse. I’m thinking perhaps the wires like the latest poster...? Any good videos/material on this repair?
     
  17. Jan 13, 2020 at 5:34 PM
    #17
    Yohan11

    Yohan11 New Member

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    Mine did the same thing and I replaced the sockets which had similar heat distress as shown in your pics.
     
  18. Jan 14, 2020 at 7:42 AM
    #18
    Headlight Revolution

    Headlight Revolution New Member Vendor

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    Have you swapped bulbs around by chance to see if the Hyperflash issue follows? Check the rear as well!
     
  19. Jan 14, 2020 at 3:29 PM
    #19
    Berkdawg

    Berkdawg [OP] New Member

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    @jimbob84 The wires in your 1st picture covered by your thumb and third with your index finger behind them are the loose wires on my right side. When I would move these I could replicate my issue of the light not functioning. I could not come up with a solution without cutting wires or replacing the pins/dog house so I tried to just put silicon across all of the wires to give some extra strength and it has worked. Another thing is these bulbs take a lot of pressure to set. The dealer showed me the first time I took it in for this issue that the light was not fully set and he pushed very hard on the bulb and it popped further into the socket. This fixed my issue until I was out of warranty and the loose wires showed up again. It is hard enough that I will not put the bulb in without heavy gloves in case the bulb breaks in my palm.
     
  20. May 6, 2021 at 5:56 AM
    #20
    Bhilltex

    Bhilltex New Member

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    I had the same issue. The bulb needs to be pushed in VERY hard. I used the nearby washer fluid reservoir to rest the end of the bulb on and pushed the bulb in. It finally clicked in. No more issues
     
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