2004 Subaru Outback Turn Signal Question

[ernman]

I have a 2004 Sub Outback and sometimes when I use the turn signal to turn left it "clicks" faster and doesn`t display on the dash. Other times it works fine. At first I thought it was a bulb out but they are fine. Has anyone experienced this before?

[Civicclutch]

Have you checked out Subaru forums to see if this is a semi common problem


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ernman]

I didn`t but it looks like I would need to replace it, I`ll live with it instead of spending the money and time since the signals still work.

[dcjredline]

Is the indicator on the dash not a bulb? If it`s clicking fast as you said that means a bulb is out. So you checked the outside ones and noticed the dash one isn`t flashing. Makes sense to me that it would be the dash bulb that is causing your problem.

[Lonnie]

IF you do go the route to replace the burnt-out signal bulb, it would be wise to replace ALL the bulbs in the instrument panel, since you will have the expense (or your own time) for labor to disassemble the dash board to get at them. Chances are that when one bulb goes out, others are not far behind.
I do not know if there are aftermarket LED bulbs available to replace OEM incandescent-type bulbs for dashes. I would be leery about doing so if they do not have a built-in resistor, as the much more efficient LEDs tend to have a lower wattage usage that can play havoc with electrical systems if not regulated properly, as funny as it may sound. Exterior LED turn signal lights, for example, may blink on-and-off at a much faster rate because the control ballast/switch is "pre-set" to a specific resistance value in a circuit to turn-on-and-off. The built-in resistor helps to "match" that wattage. This may also explain when the turn signal lights are blinking faster on that side: the burnt- out bulb is no longer drawing electricity in that circuit and there is less resistance on that side, hence the control ballast/switch is thinking it needs to blink faster based on its pre-set resistance.
I am just guessing, since I am not an electrical technician.

I think your owner`s manual has a bulb-replacement list in the back, but that may be for easily-accessed bulbs, like those in the exterior signal lights or dome lights. Otherwise, you could use that owner`s manual list to cross-reference with aftermarket bulbs.

[Ronkh]

Have you checked the blinker fluid ????


(just kidding, forum joke)

[SGM2008]

Do yourself a favor and visit the Subaru forums, this seems to be a known issue with different models.

Solutions include replacement of bulbs, relays, wiring harnesses, etc.

[PA DETAILER]

Flasher/Turn Signal Problem - Subaru Outback - Subaru Outback Forums

[rlmccarty2000]

Sounds like a trip to the stealership is in order.