Turn signal and Flasher Problem

[SU1973]

About a month ago the turn signal on my 95 525i (198K) began to blink very fast when I signalled for a turn. I lived with this for a while and then this week it stopped signalling entirely. Shortly thereafter I noticed that my emergency flasher wasn't working either.

I stopped at two dealers today, both who said that it could be a number of things and I need to make an appointment to have it checked out. I was looking for the quick fix (a la an American car where the flasher is small $5 metal can under the dash). I know there is a flasher relay (@ $90) but don't know if it controls both the turn signal and the emergency flasher.

Any thoughts?

[Martin in Bellevue]

Pull the crash control module. It is the taller brown relay to the right of the check control module, above the LKM, the long thing at the bottom of Bruno's picture. When pulled, check the turn signals for proper operation.
I had a bad crash control module in my 535. It caused all kinds of hell. The flasher relay is the one opposite the check control module, left. It might be wonky, given your symptoms. The positions of relays may be different for your '95 e34. Where are you, that someone could swap relays for better diagnosis?

http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/Maintenance/Electrical/Data/LKM3.jpg

[winfred]

if that doesn't work the hazard switch usually has all of the turn signal stuff running through it and can screw with it bad if broken

[JonE]

Sometimes a rapid flashing turn signal situation means a bad turn signal bulb...Were all the turn signal bulbs flashing when you had rapid signalling?

[SU1973]

Thanks Martin. I pulled it and no diff. I think its the flasher relay. That's the black relay just above the left end of the LKM module, right? I pulled that and the part number (1 388 533) is different than the number shown for the flasher relay in various parts listings, although it looks the same. In fact I couldn't find that #.

[SU1973]

I think they were ok, Jon, but I couldn't say for sure. Nothing works now though. I guess I need to find someone to switch the flasher relay with, if I can figure out which one it is.

[SU1973]

Thanks. I bet your right. Is the flasher relay the one just above the left end of the LKM module?

[tdgard]

giving BMW drivers a bad name. All the changing lanes w/o signaling and just stabbing the brakes and turning. ;)

[Phil Sanderson]

.

[winfred]

some people use their signals like a question "can i get over?" others use theirs like a after thought "hey i just got over and this is the direction i just turned" i use mine like a statement "i am getting over!"


giving BMW drivers a bad name. All the changing lanes w/o signaling and just stabbing the brakes and turning. ;)

[tdgard]

Just so long as you shout "INCOMING" when you do it.