Okay, for those of you that haven't read my previous post in regards with my turn signals, I'll try to make it shorter. Not like I want to type out a long long post.

Anyways, after installing new headlights and harness, I loosened the screw holding the main power wire onto the fusible links block. I was figuring out where to put the power wire for the harness (stuck it on the + terminal of the battery). Anyways, upon loosening the screw, a small spark or two emitting from the screw. And, no, I did not disconnect the negative cable from the battery. I figured I could remove the screw and, with my fingers, keep the fusible link wire against the power point. Well, nope, that didn't happen. So, I don't need anyone scolding me for not removing the negative cable.

Now, headlights work fine. However, my turn signals do not work properly anymore. They flash faster than they should. Here's a list of every possible detail and problem I can give to help narrow down what my problem is:

As we all know, the front bumper bulbs are dual filament (one filament for parking light, the second for flashing). Well, the parking light filament still lights up when I turn on my parking lights. However, that same filament is the one that blinks when I turn on my turn signals AND Hazards.

The Hazard blinks at its normal rate. The turn signals flash much faster, as if there's a short.

My turn signals (not Hazards) flash slightly quicker when I depress the brake pedal.

My parking lights (rear, side, and front) all light up fine. No burned out bulb.

I took out my front bumper lights to see if that would cure the problem. It did not.

I probably caused this problem during the screw on the power wire for the fusible links, when those sparks showed.

What could be my problem? Caused a short in my turn signal flasher? If it is just the flasher, I have a spare, but I cannot find where it's at. I've been under the dash and listened to the clicking but still CANNOT pinpoint where it's at and what it looks like.


I need all the help I can get here guys. Thanks.

 

bump

 

Check the wiring diagram in the FSM. It will show a general location, type of plug and wire colors. From there you should be able to trace it down.

 

well i just had the exact same problem on mine. and to tell you the truth, it was the ground wire right under the headlights on the inner fender wall. i wiggled the wire around and it stopped flashing fast. so i just crimped on a new loop terminal. hopefully this will solve yours too. good luck!

leo

 

Usually, when the flashers start flashing quickly it indicates a burned out bulb, or a missing one. Check all your bulbs. Other than that, switch out the flasher unit. That could be your problem.

 

check for bulbs, relays, and grounds. even if the bulb looks good check 2 make sure all of them have both filiments. just because seems fine it might not be always check/replace if you are doubting them. grounds seem to be a problem a lot.

 

+1

 

I'll try the grounding solution, tho I know I didn't mess with any of the ground wires. And, from what I can tell, no burned out bulb (as previously mentioned) unless both secondary filaments burned out.

I'm surprised no one knows where the turn signal flasher is. Looking at a wiring diagram won't help me when I can't get my head up into the dash enough to follow wires.

 

All I can tell ya is that since the whole flash-timing circuit goes by resistance, it means that one of two things aren't providing the proper resistance

1) bulbs
2) flash relay

Since you have a spare flash relay, I would go out and buy brand new bulbs all around. Swap all the bulbs, and if it still flashes fast, track down that relay and install it.

Bulbs don't cost that much anyway, might as well do them all, just to eliminate them as a possibility.

Jon

 

the lamp check relay is in front of the horn relay, under the dash to the left of the steering column.

 

Cool, thanks, Manntis. I found where all the relays were, but so many boxes in the panel, I couldn't figure out which was which. Is the stock relay square or round?

And, viper, good point. Plus, it'll give me a chance to apply dielectric grease to all bulbs to avoid rust and corrosion. After removing the front bulbs, I saw how evident that was.

 

The rust could be your problem. Rust can significantly increase the resistance of a circuit. I would try to clean as much of the rust out as possible when you install the new bulbs.

 

Actually, I'm thinking of getting new front bumper lights with sockets/pigtails. I wonder if Black Dragon Auto carries them.

 

yeah, I have to replace the front right fender socket

 

yeah, I have to replace the front right fender socket

 

the relay should be right above the fuse block... thats how it is on my GSL-SE. its mounted on a plate which the horn relay(small, goldish/brass color) is also bolted to. kinda hard to get to the very top bolt, only held on by two bolts. the flasher relay is the bigger black box.

you might need someone with small hands to get to the top bolt cause there is some wiring in the way which makes it difficult to see and get to the bolt. light helps out a lot here

just use patience and you will get it out. you should clean the contacts of the relay first to see if that helps, if not then change it out and use some dielectrice grease to prevent any of the contacts to corrode/rust/short over time, but normally they are ok. oh and save the bad relay anyway, you never know when you need it.

 

Thankfully, I have small hands and can get into small places. Now, that I know where the relay is, thanks, I should be able to get it.

The flasher relay is really bolted to the fuse panel, and not just a plug-in kind? Guess Mazda wanted to ensure that despite all the hard shifting and redline hitting the owners would do, they wanted to make sure it would stay in there.