Directional Crazyness.....

[Grazi07]

This is prolly the strangest thing thats happened to me automotively, and its pretty tough to describe. I got in my car at 10:00 pm, after having it running for 40 min, then off for an hr, turned on my blinker, and it wouldn't work! Tried both directions, nothing. Got out and looked at the bulbs themselves, all were illuminated. The hazard button made them flash, as well as the green arrows in the HUD that weren't working originally. After 10 min of driving, looking again and having the hazards on again, they worked and continued to work for the next hour or so that I was driving. I think it might be the cold, but it doesn't seem like a perfect explanation, and its never happened before. Any ideas?

[swimshady906]

All i have to say is toyota puts the most complicated electrical lighting systems in our cars... really the drls and the whole bit, its a big web. I dont see what could have possible caused that though...

[Mole]

did you try the highbeam function?

perhaps it is the signal bar on the steering column itself. it somehow may have disconnected.

[Hsakuragi]

maybe ur fuse is getting bad

[krawzyazn]

ghost

[Grazi07]

ghost is the only explanation so far.... went out this morning, after letting it sit all nite in colder temps, and it worked fine! The high beams did work btw, so i guess that rules out problems with the stalk wiring....

[krook]

maybe ur fuse is getting bad

nah. fuses don't go bad. they either pop or they don't. they're either working or not working to put it simply.

but i don't think it's a fuse. if a fuse was bad, your lights wouldn't work at all. it might be the relay for the blinkers. might have to change them out. just get hyper blinkers! LOL

[DavPak]

my initial thought was along the lines of a water leak shorting out the lighting at times. then i saw your signature. make sure your clear corners aren't leaking.
i've seen lots of cars exhibit the problem you described and it was eventually determined there was a water leak somewhere in the car (sunroof, windshield, hood cowel, etc.).

let us know what you find.

[Grazi07]

Dave: Thanks for the idea, however when it happened it hadn't rained or snowed in several days, and has worked fine since, including a snowstorm. Since the blinkers themselves were illuminated and the hazard button caused them to flash, I think its something on the stalk. I'm assuming its a different wire for the blinker and the high beams/headlights, because they work, just the blinker was out. I will look for a leak though, thanks!