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Your vehicle has various warning lights to help you communicate with other drivers while on the road. One is the turn signals, which let you alert other drivers when you’re making a turn. Like many other parts of your vehicle, the turn signals can fail over time. One of the reasons why your turn signals might not work is a malfunctioning turn signal relay.
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What Is a Turn Signal Relay?
A turn signal relay (also known as a flasher relay) is the electronic device that controls your car’s turn signal lights. The clicking sound when you activate your turn signals usually comes from the turn signal relay.
It’s important to note that on some older vehicles, the flasher is not a relay, but a device that contains a bimetallic strip that heats and contracts in response to current flow.
Many new vehicles do not have a flasher relay. Instead, the turn signals are pulsed on and off by a control module.
Where Is the Turn Signal Relay Located?
The exact location of your turn signal relay depends on the specific vehicle you own. In most cars, the relay is in a junction box along with other relays.
Types of Flasher Units
Flasher relays for turn signals can be classified into four: DOT, bimetal, hybrid, and solid-state.
DOT Flashers
Department of Transportation (DOT) flashers produce a clicking noise for the driver to hear. This type is installed in a metal clip that’s attached to the dash panel.
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DOT flashers need current to flow to two bulbs. If one bulb is burnt out, the unit will only produce a steady light instead of a flashing one.
Bimetal Flashers
Bimetal flashers are current-sensitive, so they won’t work if one of their bulbs fails.
They also don’t last as long as hybrid and solid-state flashers.
Hybrid Flashers
This type comes with a flasher relay to operate the unit’s internal electromechanical relay. Its steady electronic timing circuitry helps generate a wide operating voltage and temperature range.
Solid-State Flashers
Solid-state flashers don’t have any moving parts that contribute to mechanical breakdown, which is why this type has the longest life expectancy compared to the other three.
This type has an internal electronic circuit for timing and solid-state power output devices for load-switching.
How Do I Know If My Turn Signal Relay Is Bad?
Your vehicle’s turn signal relay is an essential component for road safety, so it’s crucial to keep it in good condition at all times. Good thing turn signals are one of the easiest car components to troubleshoot.
Here are some bad turn signal relay symptoms to watch for:
Turn Signals Don’t Work
This is the most common symptom of a faulty turn signal relay. Once the relay is broken, the lights won’t turn on with the switch. On some vehicles, the hazard lights also rely on the turn signal relay, so those lights might also cease to function.
Turn Signal Relay Stays On
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If your turn signal stays permanently on instead of flashing on and off, it could be a sign that the relay has gone bad. This problem is most likely caused by an electrical issue.
Once you notice this symptom, have your vehicle checked right away. A turn signal light that’s consistently on can confuse other drivers on the road.
How To Diagnose a Failed Turn Signal Relay
First, consult your owner’s manual to see whether your car has a serviceable flasher relay or flasher unit. If the circuit uses a relay, check out the information below to determine what the troubleshooting process typically involves.
What Causes a Blinker Relay to Fail?
Your vehicle might have a faulty switch if the signal lights are not working as they should.
There might also be an issue with the circuit if the parking and hazard lights are operational, but the blinkers aren’t turning on.
How to Test the Turn Signal Relay
The video below demonstrates the typical process for testing an automotive relay of any kind.
How Much Is a Turn Signal Relay?
A high-quality top-notch turn signal relay can be priced anywhere between $10 and $100, depending on its brand and specifications.
If you’re going to ask a mechanic to do the replacement, expect to spend anywhere between $50 and $120 on labor costs. Prices will vary depending on the specific vehicle that you own and the rates in your area.
Your vehicle warning lights help keep you safe on the road, so it’s best to address the issues they develop immediately. Thankfully, there are plenty of high-quality yet affordable aftermarket turn signal relays you can purchase online, which make repairs so much easier.
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