What Causes the Turn Signals and Hazard Lights to Not Work?
2 Answers
The reason the turn signals do not work is due to a damaged flasher relay or a blown turn signal fuse, while the hazard lights not working is caused by a malfunction in the hazard relay. Turn signals are important indicators that activate when a motor vehicle is turning to alert surrounding vehicles and pedestrians. Hazard lights, also known as emergency warning flashers, commonly referred to as hazard lights or emergency blinkers, are signal lights used to notify other vehicles and pedestrians that the vehicle is experiencing a special situation. The troubleshooting methods for non-functioning turn signals and hazard lights are as follows: 1. First, check if the power line terminal of the flasher relay has electricity. If there is no power, inspect the line for any breaks between the relay and the power source. If there is power, use a screwdriver to bridge the two terminals of the flasher relay. If the turn signals light up, it indicates a faulty flasher relay that should be replaced promptly. 2. Open the cover of the flasher relay and inspect the coil and resistor for any damage. If the resistor heats up but the contacts fail to close, pressing the movable contact to make the turn signals light up indicates a relay malfunction. 3. If the turn signals still do not work, the issue may lie with the turn signal switch. Use a screwdriver to connect the power line terminal of the turn signal switch to the left and right light terminals separately. If the lights turn on, it suggests a faulty turn signal switch that requires disassembly, repair, or replacement.
Last time I was driving, I noticed that neither the turn signals nor the hazard lights were working, which really scared me. As a new driver with a brand-new car, I quickly looked it up online. It could be that the bulbs burned out—after all, these lights tend to fail after prolonged use. Another possibility was a blown fuse, especially if I had carelessly plugged in some charger, causing an excessive current surge. Or maybe there was poor contact in the wiring, like a loose plug or corrosion from water exposure. I tried turning on the hazard lights, but they didn’t work either, which further convinced me the issue was in a shared component, such as a faulty control module. For safety, I immediately drove the car to the repair shop. The technician checked it and confirmed it was an old, worn-out part in the fuse box. Remember to regularly check your lights to avoid trouble in rainy or foggy weather.
