Blinker

Howdy and Hello! I need some help and I would totally appreciate any information/suggestions.

I have a 97 Dodge Grand Caravan. About 8 weeks ago, I turned on the car and halfway down the street, noticed the radio, A/C (I think) and blinkers weren't working. Turned off the car, restarted and everything was normal.

Since then, everything has been perfect except:

My left blinker. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes if it's not working, I can turn off my car, restart and it'll start working.

When it's not working, it won't blink on my dashboard, won't make the sound and won't actually "blink". When it is working, everything works.

Where do I start? What does it sound like?

I have my Haynes Manual and I'm ready to go!

Thanks so much for your time...it's truly awesome.

Amy

try replacing the turn signal flasher

Are you talking about a turn signal relay or the turn signal switch?

Thanks for your help!


Amy

neither, there is a flasher unit somewhere in the car, forgot the exact location, it's the thing that opens and closes the circuit to the lights, it's also the thing that makes the clicking noise when your signals are on

Are you talking about a turn signal relay or the turn signal switch?

Thanks for your help!


Amy

you are correct, you should change the turn signal relay, these vans don't use flashers any longer. Look inside your fuse box, it should be in there.

Before you try anything I can tell you something very very easy to try. If when this happens, the radio AND blinkers dont work, try turning your key back just a hair, don't turn the vehicle off as I was doing the whole..lol, just a tiny bit to see if the radio and blinkers come back on. It was caused by a sticking ignition tumbler or bad return spring on my van. It would keep the key ahead just enough so nothing would work but not enough to kick the starter in. Try that, it may make you laugh, it made me laugh. Good luck.

oh really, that's news to me

what do they use in place of flashers now?

relays are what they use now.

Thanks, everyone, for the information. I haven't been able to check on everything as of yet...it's been hectic here. But the last two days, I've added a couple new quirks that might help narrow the diagnosis.

My interior lights in the front of the car blink and flash even when the car isn't on. It doesn't happen once the doors are closed.

I might add that the right blinker has always worked, without fail. It's just the left blinker that is on the fritz.

Thanks again to everyone who has taken the time to help me.

AMy

Since you have the Haynes book, try cleaning the contacts associated with the turn signal switch. Use some TV Tuner Cleaner ...Radio Shack has it for about $10. And keep the can around handy. You'll probably need it for the instrument cluster connections as well.

This vechicle seems to have some pretty quirkly electrical habits but have usually found a pretty inexpensive fix.

Good luck!