Turn signal blinking fast - most of the time

[fineart]

Hi

My 1998 Camry has a right turn signal that blinks very fast - most of the time. Rarely it suddenly behaves itself and blinks normally, but that doesn;t last long!

I want to check the bulb in the front especially, but I cannot figure out how to access it. It seems like it is sealed in there (bad design imo).

Can someone help me figure out how to change thee bulbs, and/or figure out why it blinks so fast? When the front rt bulb is blinking (fast) it is a little tiny faint light, so there is *some* light. So if it is a bad bulb I can't figure out why it would be working a 'little' bit and not just not at all.

Sort of like being partially pregnant

Thanks

Kari

[foompla]

replace the bulb if there are no screws, then it just pops out.

[fineart]

Originally Posted by foompla

replace the bulb if there are no screws, then it just pops out.

Thanks for the reply

It is the right front blinker bulb, looks to be sealed in a platic casing. How does one make it pop out? There are no screws to lift off the plastic cover and no way (it seems) to get at it from the engine compartment. How to I gain access to the bulb?

Thanks again!

Kari

[LE05]

the reason its blinking fast is because its on its way out, or blown already. to replace the bulb (i think, i don't have a 98 camry, but most cars are the same), you need to twist the socket/connector out of the housing. that'll give you access to the bulb to change it.

[fineart]

Originally Posted by LE05

the reason its blinking fast is because its on its way out, or blown already. to replace the bulb (i think, i don't have a 98 camry, but most cars are the same), you need to twist the socket/connector out of the housing. that'll give you access to the bulb to change it.

Thanks for your reply.

When I lift up the hood, I see the socket gizmo for the *headlight* but the turnsignal buld is completely obscured by a metal shelf of some sort. There are no screws on the outside, and nothing but metal (it seems) blocking access from the inside. Do I have to drill a hole in the metal the bulb is hiding behind first?

You'd think they would have made it easier to get to.

Thanks Again

Kari

[Mike Gerber]

If you have the owner's manual, it should show you how to access the bulb.

Mike

[CamryOwner98]

yes, check your manual, it's really simple to do.

If you don't have the manual:

After you open your hood, look at how the turn signal housing is connected to the car, there is a plastic (black) screw-like tab that you can pry off using a screwdriver. Using a cloth, put over the screwdriver and gently pry in between the turn signal and the headlight housing. Once loose enough, pull it forward to slide out the turn signal housing.

Self explanitory after that, you'll see the wiring and socket connected to the turn signal housing.

PS: refer the this pic to find the screw-like tab.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/toyota-CAMRY-97-9...QQcmdZViewItem
The long plastic piece on top of the housing (where is hole is seen). That's the location of the tab. Pop that off first.

[Camry005man]

I think you need to take the whole headlight off, then you will be able to slide the turnsignal out.

[fineart]

Originally Posted by CamryOwner98

yes, check your manual, it's really simple to do.

If you don't have the manual:

After you open your hood, look at how the turn signal housing is connected to the car, there is a plastic (black) screw-like tab that you can pry off using a screwdriver. Using a cloth, put over the screwdriver and gently pry in between the turn signal and the headlight housing. Once loose enough, pull it forward to slide out the turn signal housing.

Self explanitory after that, you'll see the wiring and socket connected to the turn signal housing.

PS: refer the this pic to find the screw-like tab.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/toyota-CAMRY-97-9...QQcmdZViewItem
The long plastic piece on top of the housing (where is hole is seen). That's the location of the tab. Pop that off first.

Thanks so much, I got rhe old one out and the new one in.

The plastic tab thing is kind of dumb. Was the budget too tight for one more screw? For anybody else, behind the turn signal housing there is a black phlange that hooks to the frame where the turn signal bulb housing meets the metal of the car. You then get hold of that black plastic bracket which holds the housing in place and work it forward until the lip of the phlange is dislodged, then the thing comes right out.

Looks like the new bulb was all I needed.

Thanks again everyone for your helpful tips!

Kari