Turn Signal And Brake Light Not Working On One Side

Turn Signal And Brake Light Not Working On One Side (Fixed)

The turn signal and brake lights going out on one side of your vehicle is a common problem experienced by many car owners. It’s also one of the most confusing light issues as most people have no clue what causes it or how to resolve it. Luckily, this guide will help you diagnose and fix this issue on your car.

Turn signal and brake light not working on one side is usually caused by a variety of issues ranging from a burned-out bulb, blown fuse, wiring problems, a bad ground connection, a faulty turn signal switch, or a malfunctioning BCM (body control module).

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at all the likely causes behind your turn signal and brake light not working. Moreover, we’ll share with you a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot and fix this unusual light behavior so that you can restore the failing lights on one side of your vehicle.

Why Are The Turn Signals And Brake Lights Not Working On One Side?

Why Are The Turn Signals And Brake Lights Not Working On One Side

If your turn signal and brake light stop working on one side, the most likely culprits to consider include:

Burned out bulb

A bad bulb is one of the most likely causes of this problem. Vehicle lights usually wear with regular use and eventually stop functioning.

Key signs of a burned-out bulb include a broken filament inside or a blackened appearance.

In some cars, the same bulb is used for both the brake and turn signal lights. Such a bulb usually has dual elements for each light.

If one of these elements blows, then the bulb is as good as dead and needs a replacement.

Socket or wiring problems

If the bulb isn’t the problem, you may want to check its socket for loose connections and corrosion. These could be keeping the bulb from getting proper electrical contact.

The wiring leading to the bulb socket could also be frayed, loose, broken, cut, etc. Bad wiring can disrupt electrical power flow and make the lights stop working.

Blown fuse

A blown fuse is another likely cause for the brake light and turn signal to stop working. You should inspect the fuses related to these lights in your car’s fuse box.

If the fuse is blown, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. In case the fuse blows again shortly after, your vehicle may be experiencing an electrical issue that you need to resolve as soon as possible.

Why Are The Turn Signals And Brake Lights Not Working On One Side

Bad ground

A malfunctioning turn signal and brake light on one side of your car could also be the result of a bad ground connection.

Inspect the ground connection for the affected light; the connection should be tight, clean, and free of corrosion.

Be sure to clean, repair, or change the ground contact point where necessary.

Bad turn signal switch

Most cars are configured such that a multifunction turn signal switch controls both the brake light and turn signal lights.

If this switch starts to malfunction, it can affect the brake light and turn signals.

Though a bad switch usually affects the lights on both sides, it is still worth checking it out for defects and replacing it if necessary.

Malfunctioning BCM

In some cases, a bad body control module (BCM) could be the culprit causing these lights not to come on.

The module’s job is to control various electrical functions in your vehicle, including the lights.

Therefore, if it starts failing, it can lead to the lights on one side of your car to stop working.

How To Fix The Turn Signal And Brake Light Not Working On One Side

How To Fix The Turn Signal And Brake Light Not Working On One Side

Follow the steps below to troubleshoot this light problem in your car:

Step 1. Check the bulbs

The first step is to check the brake light and turn the signal bulb on the affected side. Examine the bulb filaments to see if they’re broken. If so, replace them with a new one.

If you’re not sure whether the bulb is broken/blown, try swapping it with the bulb from the other side.

If the bulb illuminates, then your bulb is bad and needs a replacement. If the bulb doesn’t come on, move on to the next step.

Step 2. Inspect the socket

Check if the bulb housing has any signs of damage such as corrosion or melted plastic.

Ensure all the socket connections are secure and you have no loose wires. Clean corrosion using dielectric grease.

If the socket is damaged beyond repair, simply replace it with a new one.

Step 3. Examine the wiring

Next, you will need to examine the wiring leading to the socket light for issues like fraying, cuts, pinching, broken wires, etc.

These wiring issues can lead to bad connection or even short-circuiting, and make your lights stop working.

Step 4. Check the fuses

If the wiring is fine, check the fuse box for any blown fuses related to the turn signal and brake light and replace them to see if the problem will be resolved.

If you’re not sure about the fuse that corresponds to these lights, be sure to consult your user manual.

If you replace a fuse and it blows again, then you have an underlying issue that needs further diagnosis.

Car Check the fuses

Step 5. Check your ground connections

Locate the ground connection for the malfunctioning lights and check if it is tight and free of corrosion.

If necessary, repair and clean the connection to ensure the bulbs have a good electrical connection.

Step 6. Test turn signal switch

If your car uses a multifunction turn signal switch, you’ll need to use a digital multimeter to test the switch.

However, note that testing this switch can be challenging. Accessing the right points to test the signal circuit can be hard.

Moreover, you need to familiarize yourself with your car wiring for you to accurately test this switch.

Therefore, we advise you to have an auto mechanic test your switch for you.

Step 7. Inspect the BCM module

If none of the above steps yields any helpful results, then it is time to turn to the BCM. Just like the switch above, diagnosing the BCM on your own may also be challenging.

You should scan your BCM to see if it has found a code that’s making your turn signal and brake lights stop working.

Most people don’t have the scanning tool, so you may want to let your mechanic or auto shop scan your BCM for you.

If no codes are found in the BCM, then the module itself may need replacement.

Overall, if you’re still not able to resolve the lighting issue, we recommend you seek assistance from your auto mechanic or dealership.

Why Are Your Left Turn Signal And Brake Light Not Working?

If your vehicle’s left turn signal and brake light have stopped working, the most likely culprits to consider include:

  • Burned out bulb
  • Defective socket
  • Faulty wiring
  • A bad ground connection
  • Blown fuse
  • Faulty multifunction turn signal switch
  • Failing body control module

However, keep in mind that these are just general causes for this issue. The specific reason for your car lights to fail can vary depending on your vehicle’s make and model.

Diagnosis is the surest way to uncover the exact underlying issue making your lights stop working and fix it. Be sure to follow our troubleshooting guide above to find the culprit causing this issue in your car.

Why Are Your Left Turn Signal And Brake Light Not Working

Why Are Your Right Rear Turn Signals And Brake Light Not Working?

The same culprits that make your left brake/blinker lights stop working above are also responsible for the right turn signal/brake light not working. These include:

  • Burned out bulb
  • Defective socket
  • Faulty wiring
  • A bad ground connection
  • Blown fuse
  • Faulty multifunction turn signal switch
  • Failing body control module

We advise you to have your car thoroughly diagnosed to find out the exact cause of this problem and have it fixed to restore these lights.

Can You Drive With The Turn Signal And Brake Light Not Working On One Side?

We don’t recommend driving your car with these lights malfunctioning as it can lead to safety risks on the road.

Both the turn signal and brake light help alter other drives on the road about your intentions. These lights usually come in pairs to help create redundancy and ensure the drivers behind you don’t easily miss them.

Thus, if the light from one side stops working, it can cause confusion on the roads and increase the risk of collisions or accidents.

Take, for instance, a malfunctioning turn signal light. This can make drivers unaware of your intuitions to make turns or change lanes. This can lead to dangerous situations, especially at intersections or busy traffic.

A malfunctioning brake light, on the other hand, makes the drivers behind you unaware of your intentions to stop or slow down. They’re then unable to react accordingly, and you risk being rear-ended.

Most jurisdictions also require all your brake lights and turn signals to be functional at all times. This means driving with lights on one side not working translates to a traffic laws violation and you’ll get pulled over and issued a citation or fine.

Overall, we advise you to fix issues with your malfunctioning brake and turn signal lights promptly to ensure safety and compliance with traffic regulations.

Can You Drive With The Turn Signal And Brake Light Not Working On One Side
If you’re facing an issue with the turn signal and brake light not working on one side of your vehicle, it’s essential to identify the cause and address it promptly. For troubleshooting tips and potential solutions, you can refer to our article on one brake light not working but bulb is good. This resource offers insights into diagnosing and resolving the specific problem with the turn signal and brake light on one side. Additionally, if you’re experiencing a situation where the brake light is not working but the tail light works, our article on brake light not working but tail light works may provide helpful guidance in troubleshooting and addressing the issue.

FAQs:

Is the turn signal bulb the same as the brake light bulb?

It depends on your car’s configuration. Some cars use the same bulb for both the turn signal and brake light. They usually use a dual-function bulb that has two filaments, one that illuminates when you apply the brakes and one that flashes when you activate the turn signals.

However, some cars come with separate bulbs for the turn signal and brake lights. Consult your owner’s manual for more info about the type of bulb used in your car.

Can malfunctioning turn signals affect brake lights?

In vehicles where the two lights are interconnected, a malfunctioning turn signal can affect the brake light.

How much does it cost to replace the brake light bulb and turn signal bulb?

Brake light bulb replacement will cost you around $5 to $10 plus labor costs of $10 to $20 if you hire an auto technician to do it for you. A turn signal light replacement, on the other hand, will cost you between $80 and $110.

Conclusion

The turn signal and brake light failing to work on one side of your vehicle isn’t an uncommon problem. The most common causes behind this issue include a burned-out bulb, defective socket, wiring problems, blown fuse, or bad ground. A bad turn signal switch or failing body control module may also be to blame for this problem.

Remember, diagnosing your car is the only way you can tell the exact issue causing this light problem in your car. Follow our step-by-step troubleshooting guide above to help you easily uncover and resolve the underlying issue in your car. Don’t hesitate to consult your mechanic if you’re not comfortable diagnosing your car on your own.

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