Fixing a Turn Signal is Important and Can Be Done at Home

A turn signal, or blinker, is a simple, yet necessary, part of your vehicle. You always want to know that it is working. Every time you drive at night you should be able to see the blinking of the turn signal as you turn it on. If you never go out at night and you suspect a problem simply turn your car key into the on position, Remember you do not need to start the car, and turn on the signals. Then simply walk around and inspect them.

If any of them are not working it may be time to change the bulb. This is simpler in an older car then a new one. Still if you have the original owner's manual, you should consult it on the problem. If you do not, you may be able to change it by unscrewing the lens of the turn signal and take out the bulb. Once you have taken out the bulb go to a local hardware store or a department store and find a bulb that matches it. You may want to buy more then what you need keeping the rest in the glove box as spares. Then simply replace the bulb and rescrew on the lens. Just be sure you do not do it to loose or to tight.

If the bulb was not the problem you may need to replace a fuse. To do this you need to find were the fuse box is located in your vehicle. It may be hidden behind a plastic panel, or right under the dash or even under the hood, for example the Dodge Caravan. There should be extras in the compartment, look on the plastic panel if you can find them. If they are truly not there, then begin the search for the burnt out one without them. There should be a blackened part on the bad spark plug. You might also see the filaments, the odd wire thing inside, no longer being connected. I know this will sound silly to the experienced driver, but it is impossible to reconnect the filaments so do not try. When you find it replace it with a new one. Keep checking the rest of the spark plugs, because there may be another burnt one that could be causing a problem you are not aware of.

If you can not replace one, or if it does not fix the problem you may have a loose connection, or the line may be severed, or be grounding off. You may be able to fix this yourself. But it may be best to take it in to a professional.