Unique Blinker Issue?

[Stoopalini]

My wife's SRX has been having issues with the blinker for about 2 months now. It stops working intermittently, and then starts working again. When it stops working, the running light also goes out.

So here is the strange part: The other day we were driving, and I used the left blinker. It was flashing double time, which tells me the front blinker is not working; also, I can see the running light is out by the reflection in the vehicle in front of me. Then I looked right, saw a friend of mine in his car with his family, so I beeped the horn 3 times, very quickly. Then the running light came back on and teh blinker started working.

I assumed this was coincidence and thought nothing more of it. Well, about a week later, my wife tells me that everytime the blinker stops working now, she beeps the horn 2 or 3 times in a row, and it alwasy starts working again.

So, has anyone experienced this before? I have an appt scheduled with the dealer for Wednesday (for this and 3 other annoyances), but I wonder how they will write this up: "Blinker intermittently stops working unless horn is activated"??

Thomas.

[GMJim]

You didn't say what year you have, but there have been issues with the bulb sockets on early models. My turn signal would act up on my 04, and by pounding on the fascia it would do the trick. My guess is you need the socket replaced.

[King3244]

See "outrageous cost" thread about 5 down from this one or use search function.

[john d]

My first SWAG is the horn vibrates the bulbs broken element until the ends touch and weld together.

[Stoopalini]

It's an '06 V2 2WD, as stated in my profile. I read all the possts on blinkers, including the cost post, but didn't see anything related to sounding the horn to get it working again.

Originally Posted by john d

My first SWAG is the horn vibrates the bulbs broken lement until the ends touch and weld together.

That sounds reasonable. I actaully found TSB#4552 "Turn Signal Bulb and Socket - Replacement Parts (NHTSA Item Number - 10022561)" which I assume is related to the issue. I'll bring the TSB info with me whne I take it to the dealer.

Thanks,
Thomas.

[Nimrod]

Originally Posted by Stoopalini

My wife's SRX has been having issues with the blinker for about 2 months now. It stops working intermittently, and then starts working again.

I hope you dont get offended now but when i saw your question i come to think about a joke that we tell in Sweden.
We often tell jokes about our neighbours the Norwegians:

One Norwegian man in a car said to another:
"Can you please help me to check if my blinker works."
"OK" said the other man and went to the front of the car.
"It works! It dont works. It works! It dont works................"

[john d]

Originally Posted by Nimrod

I hope you dont get offended now but when i saw your question i come to think about a joke that we tell in Sweden.
We often tell jokes about our neighbours the Norwegians:

One Norwegian man in a car said to another:
"Can you please help me to check if my blinker works."
"OK" said the other man and went to the front of the car.
"It works! It dont works. It works! It dont works................"

I actually saw this happen !
My bro-in-law asked his wife to check the front turn signal...
she said works..doesn't work.....works..etc..
Now get this, SHE'S REALLY FROM NORWAY ! ! !

[akera]

Hehehe...from Norway huh - What a coincidence!

I'm having the same issue with my 05 srx where the signal(left side) does the doubletime blinking but is fine on the right side.

I was thinking of changing the bulb - but then it started working again(didn't have to do the horn thing).
So now that you say it is the socket - sounds like a dealer job no?
Lemme know,

[Nimrod]

Originally Posted by john d

I actually saw this happen !
My bro-in-law asked his wife to check the front turn signal...
she said works..doesn't work.....works..etc..
Now get this, SHE'S REALLY FROM NORWAY ! ! !

So its true then, about Norwegians! I knew it!

Sorry Stoopalini for the offtopic.

[ewill3rd]

You need to probably replace the bulb, and inspect... and likely replace... the socket.
The bulb filament may indeed be broken, the horn may be a coincidence, there could be other things happening during the honking that you don't notice, like a small bump in the road that shakes the filament.

If the car is still under warranty it can be repaired under warranty.
I posted some tips a while back about a DIY that doesn't require too much work, if you can't find it let me know.
All you need to do is remove the inner fender on the affected side to access the lamp.

[n7don_srx]

I've had several bulb/socket issues on our Envoy. One headlight socket has been replaced and the other was showing signs of being hot (turning brown). I coated the bulb contacts with a small dab of bulb grease and for the past 3 yrs have not had any bulb issues. Also coated the tail light bulbs. The bulbs are harder to get at on the SRX but if I have to change any (after warranty) I'll coat them too.

[Stoopalini]

Thanks for the info guys. I went to Edmunds.com and printed out several TSBs related to the issues I brought the car into the dealer for, and took the list with me. Included in the TSBs is the one related to the blinker bulb and socket.

I gave them the TSBs and a list of 6 things to fix (sunroof one-touch, window rattle, exhaust rattle, blinker, front end noise, initial startup idle is erratic), so we'll see what they come up with. Last time I brough it to them, I complained about the front end noise but they said everything was fine. They didn't tell me about a TSB for front end noise! I thoguht I would bring it with me this time.

As for the blinker issue, it sounds like they'll just replace the socket and the bulb.

So for now, the wife will get to drive an '08 SRX around.

Thomas.