Turn signal question

[mattthecoxcomb]

Hi all--

I am new to the this forum but not car forums. I have a question about the turn signals. I apologize if this has been asked and answered previously but my scan of the 100 series threads didn't find anything.

When the turn signals in my car are activated (on either side) the dashboard indicator blinks rapidly (about double normal speed) but the external lights do not illuminate at all--front or rear. When hazard lights are activated dashboard indicator blinks at normal speed but external lights still do not illuminate.

Could this be:
1. bad bulbs (on both sides, front and/or back)?
2. bad relay?
3. grounding issue?

Looking for any advice on how to tackle this. My car is a 1998 with roughly 240k miles. Thanks!!

 

[Trunk Monkey]

The rapid blink lets you know you've got a bulb out. From the owner's manual:

 

[FlammableFishie]

Check the bulbs first, that's the easiest fix and the most likely cause.

 

[mattthecoxcomb]

Thanks all for the quick replies and helpful guidance. Does anyone know what type of bulbs are specified for the front and rear? Are they the same? I seem to have misplaced my owners' manual.

 

[2000UZJ]

Front turn signal 1157A
Rear turn signal 7440

 

[Sandroad]

Seems unlikely to be all 4 bulbs at the same time. I would think bad ground, broken wire, or bad turn signal flasher. The flasher is $38 OEM discount price. Do you have a voltmeter and can check whether the bulb socket(s) are getting voltage? Because of the way the wiring works, it's typical for the emergency flasher to click normal speed and the turn signal to click fast speed when the bulb(s) are not lighting up. However, do the bulbs first anyway and clean the sockets. Just doing that, you may find the overall problem.