May have found source of turn signal trouble!
11-15-2002, 04:59 AM
#1
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May have found source of turn signal trouble!
After a certain level of frustration on the intermittent outage of turn signals on our cars, I decided to delve deeper into the problem.
The dealers fix every time was to replace the bulb. Just from the shear nature of the problem, it seemed more like a wiring/connection issue than a bulb issue.
Last night I removed the right headlight assembly to get a closer look at things. After removing the parking lamp/turn signal bulb and socket, I tested the bulb with a multimeter and found the bulb was fine. Now I began to look at the socket. I cleaned the three contact points and re-inserted the bulb socket into the housing and still nothing. I began to jiggle, push, pull, etc. on the bulb socket and the light started to flicker on and off. Ok, now we know it's a contact issue. I removed the bulb socket again and looked closely at the contact points on the socket and the headlamp assembly. What I found where the contacts on the socket where not making a good connection with the headlamp assembly. I took a very small, straight blade screwdriver and very gently raise the three contact points on the socket every so slightly. I re-inserted the socket into the headlamp assembly, and what do you know, it worked like a champ!
The dealers fix every time was to replace the bulb. Just from the shear nature of the problem, it seemed more like a wiring/connection issue than a bulb issue.
Last night I removed the right headlight assembly to get a closer look at things. After removing the parking lamp/turn signal bulb and socket, I tested the bulb with a multimeter and found the bulb was fine. Now I began to look at the socket. I cleaned the three contact points and re-inserted the bulb socket into the housing and still nothing. I began to jiggle, push, pull, etc. on the bulb socket and the light started to flicker on and off. Ok, now we know it's a contact issue. I removed the bulb socket again and looked closely at the contact points on the socket and the headlamp assembly. What I found where the contacts on the socket where not making a good connection with the headlamp assembly. I took a very small, straight blade screwdriver and very gently raise the three contact points on the socket every so slightly. I re-inserted the socket into the headlamp assembly, and what do you know, it worked like a champ!
11-15-2002, 06:13 AM
#5
It's pretty easy; Just disengage the four catches in the grill with a screwdriver (m)
You can see the catches if you look at it up close - there will be two along the top edge of the grill and two along the bottom edge.
Unfortunately, I no longer post pics from the Bentley CD, but again, it's easy to remove the grill.
Unfortunately, I no longer post pics from the Bentley CD, but again, it's easy to remove the grill.
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11-15-2002, 07:13 AM
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Re: It's pretty easy; Just disengage the four catches in the grill with a screwdriver (m)
Can I get to these catches just by facing the car? Or do I need to reach up under the grill?
11-15-2002, 10:28 AM
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I didn't even need a screw driver......
reaching up underneath the fog grill with both hands you can feel two tabs. Simply push up on the tab with your fingers and the grill pops out.....at least it did on mine.