How to Fix a Burned Out Signal Bulb

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Have you ever been yelled at while driving your car? Do drivers pass by and point down at your car? Maybe you have noticed when you use your turn signal the signal indicator appears to be flashing faster or perhaps does not come on at all. If so, it might be time to fix a burned out signal bulb.

Steps

1. 1
   Find out which signal light bulb that has burned out by parking the car in a safe location, such as your driveway of your house. Set the emergency brake and leave the engine running and the transmission in neutral (if a standard transmission), or in park if an automatic.

   
   

   • Turn on the signal lever/switch for a left or right turn. Get out of the car to check the front and rear to see if the lights are on.
   • Repeat the process for the other side. The light that is not working will be the one to replace.
2. 2
   Replace the front signal bulb (if applicable).
   • On older cars and pickup trucks, the signal/parking lights usually are separate from the headlight. You will need to unscrew and remove the cover over the signal light. From there, gently grab the bulb between your fingers and push in while twisting the bulb then pull out. Reverse the process to install the new bulb. Check to see if the light is working.
   • On newer cars and trucks, the turn signal and parking light are part of the headlight assembly. Open the hood and look on the back side of the headlight assembly. You will see the signal socket inserted in the back of the headlight. Grab hold of the socket and twist it to your left and pull it out. Remove the signal bulb and reverse the process for installing a new light bulb. Check and verify that the signal is now working.
3. 3
   Swap out the rear signal bulb according to the type and age of your vehicle.
   • Access to a signal bulb on an older car will be from the outside by removing the tail light cover. Gently grab hold of the barrel type bulb pushing in while turning the bulb to your right. You should feel it move past the notch, securing it. Pull the bulb out and reverse the process for installations, then check to see if the light is working.
   • On newer vehicles, access the bulb from within the trunk or inside. If an SUV, remove the panel over the rear light. If it is a car, first push aside the trunk liner. Now, grab hold of the socket extending from the back of the light and twist it to your left. Remove the socket from within the light assembly. Pull the bulb from the socket, insert a new one and reinstall the light socket by reversing the removal process.

   
   

Tips

• There are two types of signal bulbs - the barrel type that pushes and turns to remove and install and the plug type, which is found on newer vehicles. These you pull to remove and push in to install.
• You may need to remove certain components, such as the battery, to get access to the headlight assembly from under the hood.
• A pair of mechanic's gloves offers good protection from cuts when changing out the bulbs in case of accidental breakage.
• Should you break a barrel type of bulb while it is still in the socket, a set of needle nose pliers can be used to grab the metal barrel and push and twist to remove from the socket.
• Signal bulbs come in packs of 2. It is advisable to replace both the right and left signal bulbs at the same time.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers
• Mechanics gloves

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