Passat possessed - Left blinker blinks twice as fast, then normal after door slam ...

1957 Views 11 Replies 4 Participants Last post by LineInTheWater, Dec 10, 2017

LineInTheWater

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2017 (Edited)

Always a puzzle with these cars. I'm driving along, everything was normal up to this point. Hit the left hand turn signal, and it starts blinking at about twice the normal rate - very noticeable. So, when we get to the parking lot, I jump out and confirm that the left turn signal lights (all of three of them) are blinking at the much faster rate. :crazy: I'm thinking: I'm sure the PW members know what this means - will deal later. I get back in the car after shopping, having left my turn signal on when I turned off the car, started the car, blinking was still fast. I close my door, fairly hard, and left blinker suddenly returns to normal duty cycle! LOL.

So, FYI, maybe unrelated, but my front left turn signal was busted by the dealer on my first timing belt change, such that it doesn't have those plastic mount guides or the spring clip to hold it in place. It's now securely held in by (masterfully devised

) set of wire ties. Had to do same custom re-install after my recent DIY timing belt job. I'm wondering if there's a flaky connection near the bulb. Another thought is there's a damaged wire near the CCM, door jam, etc.

I'm too lazy to troubleshoot until it happens again, or I can predictably repeat it. Sometimes I think the Passat is possessed. :hmmm:

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cuppie

· #2 · Dec 8, 2017

Try cleaning the turn signal switch with some contact cleaner. Seriously. Stick the nozzle in at the base of the stalk, spray. Work stalk a few times. Allow to dry, then check.

CCM has nothing to do with this - hazards/turns (just like the rest of the exterior lights) are a standalone system in these cars - no electronics involved.

The door, too, has nothing to do with it (unless it's a late B5.5, with the repeater lamps in the mirrors.)

Not a bad idea, though, to simply take a look at the bulbs & sockets, make sure that there isn't any burny/melty-looking mess going on there.

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LineInTheWater

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 8, 2017

cuppie said:
Try cleaning the turn signal switch with some contact cleaner. Seriously. Stick the nozzle in at the base of the stalk, spray. Work stalk a few times. Allow to dry, then check.

CCM has nothing to do with this - hazards/turns (just like the rest of the exterior lights) are a standalone system in these cars - no electronics involved.

The door, too, has nothing to do with it (unless it's a late B5.5, with the repeater lamps in the mirrors.)

Not a bad idea, though, to simply take a look at the bulbs & sockets, make sure that there isn't any burny/melty-looking mess going on there.

I have some of that Deoxit DS contact cleaner, which I specifically bought to clean the infamous sunroof spin dial. Ever since that cleaning, the sunroof has never opened itself. I'm a true believer. I will try that on the stalk, as you suggest. Thanks.

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muttony

· #4 · Dec 8, 2017

Long while ago I had that fast blinker issue. I never correlated it to slamming door it was just intermittent. The hazard button was the culprit. That hazard button for whatever reason is designed to work with the indicators. Went to the pick and pull junk yard, got one from a car there and replaced it for $10, problem solved.

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LineInTheWater

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 8, 2017

muttony said:
Long while ago I had that fast blinker issue. I never correlated it to slamming door it was just intermittent. The hazard button was the culprit. That hazard button for whatever reason is designed to work with the indicators. Went to the pick and pull junk yard, got one from a car there and replaced it for $10, problem solved.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind if the stalk spraying doesn't work.

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Tomvw

· #6 · Dec 9, 2017

The hazard switch is also the flasher module, and is most likely where the fault is located.

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LineInTheWater

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 9, 2017

Tomvw said:
The hazard switch is also the flasher module, and is most likely where the fault is located.

Hi again. So it's the button itself? Not some relay or something? Maybe if I try engaging the hazards many times, I can recreate the left blinking symptom. Not sure how to pop that button off if it's the problem. Need to search PW. I do use the hazards pretty frequently, when unloading the car in my complex.

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Tomvw

· #8 · Dec 10, 2017

Lower power bulbs or LEDs can also cause this situation.

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LineInTheWater

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 10, 2017

Tomvw said:
Lower power bulbs or LEDs can also cause this situation.

I haven't changed my bulbs in many many years (if at all), and it was always what was listed as "OEM/compatible".

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muttony

· #10 · Dec 10, 2017

The button is a rectangular cube switch type thing. You pull the whole flasher out and replace it. It isn't a "button" per se. More like a module or something. It is really quite easy to change.

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LineInTheWater

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 10, 2017

muttony said:
The button is a rectangular cube switch type thing. You pull the whole flasher out and replace it. It isn't a "button" per se. More like a module or something. It is really quite easy to change.

Thanks. Found this thread that has good suggestions on how to access/replace:

http://www.passatworld.com/forums/v...ion/257260-changing-hazard-flasher-relay.html

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LineInTheWater

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 10, 2017

For anyone following this thread in the future, this is what the entire module looks like:

Electronic device Technology Electronics accessory Cable

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