My stupid blinkers.....

[Crockett1104]

Ok I just bought a 1987 Wolfsberg Jetta, runs great but im having just a few problems....it idles high when I first start it up, it will idle high, then normal, high, then normal, and it will do that for about 30 seconds then start idling fine, I think its because of a vacuum leak....not sure tho....and also I have checked relays, fuses, looked for a flasher, and all that fun stuff, but my blinkers dont seem to want to work....It recognizes on the dash that the blinkers are engaged but on the outside, front, rear annd both driver and passenger side, they dont work.....same with the hazzards....recognizes on dash that they have been engaged, but just dont want to work on the outside, and this problem is preventing me from getting it inspected....so that I can use it to drive back and forth to work......anyone that can help, it will be awesome....thank you....

[denisond3]

Im not really familiar with the inlet system on the 87 Jettas. With a small vacuum leak, it should still go smoothly from a high idle to a low idle. One thing which causes the 'hunting' in engine rpm is an Oxygen sensor that is over-age. And, if the car has an idle air control motor or valve, that might be sticking. This will also cause the up-down-up-down in engine 'idling' rpm. Maybe you can squirt TBI cleaner into the passage where the idle air valve is, and it might loosen up - but its a part that will not live forever. If there is a large rubber air hose connecting the air-flow sensor and the throttle valve, any small leak/crack in that will cause mysterious idle problems.

[Crockett1104]

cool thanks man, but if you find anything out on the blinkers lemme know, and I have a guess as to what could be the problem, there is no flasher, as in the guy that had it before the guy i bought it from, may have taken it out to replace it but never did, it just occurred to me today....I appreciate the help and will try what you suggested....thank you again....

[Doug Tatham]

Under the car just back of the bumpers is a white plastic clip that holds two plugs. These are the plugs for the bulbs. You have one on both sides in the front. The back has a wire harness that comes along the drivers side of the car, through the trunk (inside the fender) and along the back edge.
Check for disconnected wires.
Next buy all new bulbs. If one it the wrong type and it can draw a lot of current through it without glowing, none of your lights will light and your blinker will blink more quickly. You tend to blow fuses as well. Think of how your lights behave with a trailer attached.
CHECK YOUR FUSES!!
They may not be blown, but they can get an oxide layer on them that prevents good contact. I think the relay comes before the fuses and I think the lights on the dash work on a different circuit from the bulbs (not sure on this one).

[Doug Tatham]

I think Crockett has the right idea on the idle. If the control valve is sticking, the idle tends to drop low, then overshoot, then stabilize.