Bad blinker relay?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 137
Likes: 64
From: Dickinson, North Dakota
Bad blinker relay?
Hey everyone, I'm back with another issue. 2004 F350 CCLB, and this time I can't even blame myself for it because I wasn't driving this time! I recently bought a 1992 Buick Riviera that was an hour and a half from me and my dad drove the pickup back while I followed in the car. I went to drive my truck the next day and... click clack, click clack, click clack. All the time. The only time it changes is when A) I have the blinkers on, at which point the sound seems to get slightly faster, or B) when my foot is on the brake. When the brake is one even the slightest amount (have to have it depressed enough to turn on the brake lights), the sound stops. I'm thinking the relay is bad, but from what I've read that usually results in a constant "click-clack" even when the key's off... my issue is only present when the key is on. Just wanted to consult with some other like-minded folk before I go out and buy a new relay. Thank you in advance for any help that can be offered, and if any more information/testing is needed I'm more than happy to provide what I can!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,085
Likes: 1,623
The last time I dealt with this was on a '99 GMC S-series Jimmy at 140k miles. The actual multifunction (turn signal) switch was on its way out. Basically the spring inside was getting weak and the detents were worn, so gravity was pulling down just enough to engage the relay that made sound...but the turn signal wouldn't flash.
Like you, I thought it was the relay, I checked wiring, I checked lights, etc. etc. etc. Finally after doing some searching I learned it could be the switch, so I bought one and replaced it. I was nervous about the air bag so I was able to swap it without pulling the steering wheel, but pulling the wheel DEFINITELY makes the job faster/easier.
Like you, I thought it was the relay, I checked wiring, I checked lights, etc. etc. etc. Finally after doing some searching I learned it could be the switch, so I bought one and replaced it. I was nervous about the air bag so I was able to swap it without pulling the steering wheel, but pulling the wheel DEFINITELY makes the job faster/easier.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 137
Likes: 64
From: Dickinson, North Dakota
The last time I dealt with this was on a '99 GMC S-series Jimmy at 140k miles. The actual multifunction (turn signal) switch was on its way out. Basically the spring inside was getting weak and the detents were worn, so gravity was pulling down just enough to engage the relay that made sound...but the turn signal wouldn't flash.
Like you, I thought it was the relay, I checked wiring, I checked lights, etc. etc. etc. Finally after doing some searching I learned it could be the switch, so I bought one and replaced it. I was nervous about the air bag so I was able to swap it without pulling the steering wheel, but pulling the wheel DEFINITELY makes the job faster/easier.
Like you, I thought it was the relay, I checked wiring, I checked lights, etc. etc. etc. Finally after doing some searching I learned it could be the switch, so I bought one and replaced it. I was nervous about the air bag so I was able to swap it without pulling the steering wheel, but pulling the wheel DEFINITELY makes the job faster/easier.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,085
Likes: 1,623
That's exactly right, twenty-something year old vehicles tend to start having the weirdest problems. Hopefully it's just the relay for you, sounds like it might be. My issue on that Jimmy was that it was sporadic (which was why I thought wiring after a new relay didn't fix it). Sometimes it would be quiet, other times steady, and occasionally it sounded like a machine gun. If yours is steady it's most likely the relay.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 137
Likes: 64
From: Dickinson, North Dakota
That's exactly right, twenty-something year old vehicles tend to start having the weirdest problems. Hopefully it's just the relay for you, sounds like it might be. My issue on that Jimmy was that it was sporadic (which was why I thought wiring after a new relay didn't fix it). Sometimes it would be quiet, other times steady, and occasionally it sounded like a machine gun. If yours is steady it's most likely the relay.
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