1997 Jeep Cherokee Turn Signals Blinking Faster When Lights

Tiny
BOB8135
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
I've googled this, and have visited many web sites, but no one seems to have my type of problem listed.
This is weird. In the daytime, when no lights are on, my turn signals blink at normal speed. Ok. But, when I turn on my lights at night time, it doesn't make any difference if I'm activating my left turn signal or my right turn signal, the turn signals blink much faster.
Can someone please explain what I should do to fix this problem. Thanks a bunch!
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 AT 6:37 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
First check all bulbs. Does your vehicle use same switch to active headlamps as well as signals?
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Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
BOB8135
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No, the switch is on the dash, to the left of the instrument cluster.
All bulbs were checked a while back, (earlier this summer), and and I found bulbs on the front signals to be, (I'm at work, and trying to recall this), to be 1157, and the manual shows that they should be 1137. (?)
Now, don't get me wrong, I just seem to remember it was something like that.
BTW, I haven't had this but for less than a year, it was my son's before that, and it seems to have always blinked like this.
But, I believe the 1137 & 1157 are both dual filament bulbs.
Question) Doesn't the signals blink faster when there is a greater load?
Could it be that I simply need to replace the signal relay component, which I haven't decided to do yet, but I'm leaning towards that.

Bob
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 AT 7:11 AM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
It may be a faulty flasher relay yes, but normally when these fail the signals will either come on but not flash or not come on at all. It is a cheap fix though so always a good place to start. Also replacing the bulbs with the correct ones wouldn't hurt either.
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 AT 7:49 AM
Tiny
BOB8135
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Will look into doing that after the holidays.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 AT 9:30 AM

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