Umair Gaines
Turn signals are an essential safety feature on vehicles, allowing drivers to communicate their intentions to other road users. The electrical components that communicate with turn signals include the turn signal switch, flasher relay, bulbs, wiring harness, fuses, and indicator lights. When the turn signal is activated, a current is sent through the bimetallic spring, causing it to heat up and bend, completing the circuit and sending a signal to the bulbs to flash. The ticking sound produced by the thermal flasher serves as a reminder for the driver that the signal is on. While newer vehicles may use an electronic flasher or chip-controlled system, the underlying principle of completing the circuit to activate the turn signals remains the same.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Turn signal switch | Allows current to flow through the filament of the lights when the turn-signal stalk is pushed down |
| Flasher relay | Used to manage the switch and complete the circuit |
| Bulbs | Flash when power is sent to the left or right turn-signal lights |
| Wiring harness | Ensures all wires are connected correctly to prevent electrical issues |
| Fuse | Protects the electrical circuit from excess current |
| Indicator lights | Lights on the dashboard that illuminate when the turn signal is activated |
| Ticking sound | Acts as a reminder for the driver that the signal is on |
| Self-canceling mechanism | Turns off the turn signal when the steering wheel is turned back after a turn |
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What You'll Learn
Turn signal switch
Turn signals are an important communication tool that drivers depend on. While the concept of turn signals seems simple, there is some interesting technology at work. When you push the turn-signal stalk down, the thermal flasher connects to the turn-signal bulbs by way of the turn-signal switch, completing the circuit and allowing current to flow. The turn signal switch is an essential component in this process.
The turn signal switch is a small, cylindrical device that is usually located in the fuse panel under the dashboard of a car. It typically costs around $3 in auto parts stores and is known to work reliably for years. When you activate your turn signal, the power either stops in the switch or is sent to the left or right turn signal lights, including the indicator lights on the dashboard. The power then flows through the filament of the lights and is grounded.
In addition to the basic functionality of the turn signal switch, there are other mechanisms in place to enhance the turn signal system. For example, most cars have a self-cancelling mechanism that turns off the turn signal when you have finished making a turn. This mechanism works through a notched hub on the steering shaft that engages with the turn signal switch.
Over time, there have been improvements and variations in the design of turn signal switches and the overall turn signal system. Initially, mechanical turn signals produced a clicking sound, which served as an auditory indicator for the driver. However, modern electronic circuit designs have eliminated this sound, leading some manufacturers to consider customising the signal sound or incorporating smarter technology for automated signal cancellation.
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Flasher relay
Turn signals are an important communication tool for drivers, and the flasher relay is a critical component of this system. The flasher relay is responsible for ensuring that the turn signal bulbs flash periodically, alerting other drivers of your intention to turn.
The flasher relay is a type of electromechanical timed switch. When you activate the turn signal stalk, the flasher relay completes the circuit, allowing current to flow to the turn signal bulbs. This causes the bulbs to illuminate. The flasher relay then interrupts the circuit, causing the bulbs to turn off. This periodic interruption results in the flashing of the turn signal bulbs.
In older vehicles, a thermal flasher was used, consisting of a bimetallic strip that bent and straightened when heated by an electric current. The time it takes to heat and cool the strip determines the frequency of the signal. However, due to its dependency on the bending of the metal strip, which wears down and cracks over time, modern vehicles have transitioned to electronic flashers.
Electronic flashers utilise a magnetic field to manage the switching of the circuit. By sending a current through a coil, a magnetic field is created, which pulls and pushes the necessary component to complete and interrupt the circuit, resulting in the flashing of the turn signal bulbs. This design is more reliable and eliminates the need for a heat source.
You can find flasher relays for turn signals available for purchase from various retailers, including AutoZone and Amazon. It is important to ensure that you select the appropriate flasher relay for your specific vehicle model.
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Bulbs
The bulbs themselves are typically connected to the ground, with the left and right light wires connected to the respective sides of the turn signal switch. This setup ensures that power flows to the correct turn signal bulb, depending on the position of the turn-signal stalk. When the turn signal is activated, power flows through the filament of the bulb, illuminating it.
In older vehicles, the bulbs were often incandescent, requiring a thermal flasher mechanism to complete the circuit and allow current to flow. This mechanism used a bimetallic strip or spring that bent and straightened when heated by the electric current, creating the familiar "tick-tock" sound. However, newer vehicles may employ an electronic flasher or relay-style system, which uses a microchip and an electromagnet to control the flow of current and activate the bulbs.
It is important to note that modern turn signal systems may also incorporate LED lights, which have their own built-in electronics to enable flashing. Additionally, some systems may use load-sensing relays to adjust timing for burned-out bulbs, ensuring that the turn signals continue to function reliably.
Overall, the bulbs in turn signals play a critical role in communicating a driver's intentions to other road users, and proper installation, wiring, and maintenance are essential to ensure their correct operation.
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Wiring harness
Turn signals are an important communication tool for drivers, and their design, from the frequency of blinking to their location on the car, is carefully engineered. The operation of turn signals involves a range of electrical components, including the turn-signal stalk, bulbs, switches, and the thermal flasher.
A wiring harness is an essential component that enables the proper functioning of turn signals in vehicles. It serves as a connector, facilitating the transmission of electrical signals and power to the turn signals. By integrating various wires and connectors, the wiring harness ensures the seamless operation of the turn signals, allowing drivers to indicate their intentions to other drivers effectively.
A typical wiring harness for turn signals comprises multiple wires of different colours, each serving a specific purpose. For instance, the red terminal wire in the harness is connected to the power source, typically the battery, providing the necessary voltage for the turn signals to function. On the other hand, the black terminal wire serves as the ground wire, completing the electrical circuit and ensuring a safe return path for the current.
Additionally, the wiring harness includes yellow wires that are responsible for the left and right turn signal functions. These wires are spliced or connected to the corresponding hot wires in the vehicle's electrical system. By integrating with the turn signal circuitry, the wiring harness enables the activation of the appropriate turn signals when the driver operates the turn-signal stalk or lever.
The wiring harness also plays a crucial role in accommodating additional lighting accessories or modifications. For instance, in motorcycles like Harley-Davidsons, the wiring harness connects to the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) wiring, providing access to run, turn, and ground power. This enables the integration of custom lighting products, allowing riders to enhance their visibility and signalling capabilities.
Overall, the wiring harness is a vital component that ensures the reliable operation of turn signals in vehicles. By facilitating the necessary electrical connections, the wiring harness empowers drivers to effectively communicate their intentions to other road users, contributing to safer driving conditions and reducing the potential for accidents caused by unindicated manoeuvres.
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Thermal flasher
Turn signals, though seemingly simple, involve some interesting technology. One such technology is the thermal flasher, which is a type of electromechanical timed switch. The thermal flasher is located in the fuse panel, usually under the dashboard of the car. It is a small, cylindrical device that costs about $3 and works reliably for years.
After less than a second, a small piece of spring steel heats up enough to expand and straighten out the larger, curved piece of spring steel. This forces the curved spring steel into contact so that current flows to the signal lights unimpeded by the resistor. With almost no current passing through the resistor, the spring steel quickly cools, bending back away from the contact and breaking the circuit. The cycle then starts over at a rate of one to two times per second.
The ticking sound that we associate with turn signals is a side effect of the first circuit design to blink on and off periodically. The ticking sound is produced when the strip makes contact by bending and straightening. Modern electronic circuits do not produce this sound, so manufacturers artificially produce it through the car's speakers.
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Frequently asked questions
Electrical components that communicate with turn signals include the turn signal switch, flasher relay, bulbs, wiring harness, and fuse.
The turn signal switch is connected to the turn signal bulbs and the thermal flasher. When the turn signal stalk is pushed down, the thermal flasher connects to the turn signal bulbs via the turn signal switch, completing the circuit and allowing current to flow.
A thermal flasher is a small, cylindrical device located in the fuse panel under the dashboard of a car. It contains a bimetallic strip that bends and straightens when heated by an electric current, producing the familiar ticking sound associated with turn signals.
