Expert: Mike Evans - 5/26/2009

Question
My turn signals are working intermittently and sometimes not at all. What would be the cause and what do I need to replace. I drive a Dodge Dakota.

Thanks

Answer
    If they are coming on, but not flashing, then you need a new flasher, which can be had for cheap at any parts store.  If you are moving the turn signal lever and nothing happens at all, then the first hing to check is the fuse.  If the fuse is OK, then the turn signal switch should be replaced.  Depending on the year of the truck you will either have to go to the dealer, or to the parts store to get a new one.  Make sure that the four-way flashers work.  If they don't, then you might even have a problem with the wiring harness.  My guess is that, given the intermittent nature of the problem, the flasher is bad.  They are nasty, primitive little things that happen to work very well given their cheap construction and usually fail in an intermittent manor just as yours seems to be doing.  The four-way flashers flash the same bulbs, but using a separate flasher.