Turn signals balk when car is warmed up for long time

[SubaruForDan]

I just noticed something this week during some of our first icy weather. I started my car 20+ minutes before I took off (No lectures, please, its frickin' NH, and I've done this every winter). When I went to use the turn signal, the stalk moved, and there was no flashing indicator on the dashboard. Two or three tries later, it started to function, then went off before I even got to take the corner (at stop sign). It would either totally not go on, or blink 2 or 3 times, go off, and come back on when I started moving (say, left turn at a traffic light). It didn't really seem to be related to brake usage or not.

 

That afternoon, it was working fine. I sprayed some WD-40 in the the switch recess in the steering column.

 

This morning, it was icy again. I started the car, let it warm up for 20 minutes or so. Again, sporadic operation.

 

I've checked the lights, they're all working. Do Subarus have those can caps that need to be replaced like the old ones on american cars from the 70s? My old dodge dart had one for each side.

[montana105]

Hi Dan,welcome. I would advise against using WD 40 to fix this problem as it may actually be making the problem worse since WD 40 attracts dust and dirt.

It sounds as though you may have a turn signal switch not making connection with it's contacts inside the switch for want of a better term. when you engage the switch it engages a contact with the appropriate side of the switch,sounds like this isn't happening all the time. haven't done it yet on a Subie but on my American cars you had to take the steering wheel off to get to the switch for removal. You might try an electrical spray cleaner and see if it does any good,the variety they use to clean audio equipment to alleviate scratchy noises when adjusting volume and such ( can't remember the name of the stuff right now) ( contact switch cleaner??). Give that a try.

John

[cookie]

not seeing the car it is tough to tell, but when battery voltage is down the first thing that quits is turn signals.

[nipper]

I just noticed something this week during some of our first icy weather. I started my car 20+ minutes before I took off (No lectures, please, its frickin' NH, and I've done this every winter). When I went to use the turn signal, the stalk moved, and there was no flashing indicator on the dashboard. Two or three tries later, it started to function, then went off before I even got to take the corner (at stop sign). It would either totally not go on, or blink 2 or 3 times, go off, and come back on when I started moving (say, left turn at a traffic light). It didn't really seem to be related to brake usage or not.

 

That afternoon, it was working fine. I sprayed some WD-40 in the the switch recess in the steering column.

 

This morning, it was icy again. I started the car, let it warm up for 20 minutes or so. Again, sporadic operation.

 

I've checked the lights, they're all working. Do Subarus have those can caps that need to be replaced like the old ones on american cars from the 70s? My old dodge dart had one for each side.

 

If the indictaor lit up but did not flash, check your chaging system.

 

nipper

[cookie]

By yhe way Nip I'm thinking of adding a second battery in my spare tire well.

[nipper]

By yhe way Nip I'm thinking of adding a second battery in my spare tire well.

 

 

this coming from someone who wont by new tires

 

Cookie you saw the electrical load on mine and it did fine. Where would you put the spare? Also its got to be in a box so it vents outside the car, and use a battery isolator

i was thinking the same things, as i have "Alaska" rattling around in my brain.

 

nipper

[cookie]

I was thinking right inside my full size spare. This is going to depend on whether the battery I have as a spare in the garage fits. I was thinking of a boat or camper isolator and running the heavy cable under the carpet. The spare battery I have has a drain tube so you could run it outside.