98 A4 turn lights blink once and fail

[Peter Doyle]

Hi,
When I use the turn signal stalk (in either direction) or activate the
hazard lights the indicators (turn signals) blink one time. On the second
blink its like they don't have enough juice, the dash signals glow and go
out. No more blinking.

Originally I thought it was a broken turn stalk (as I was driving when this
happened), then I checked the hazards. All the bulbs work (activating the
alarm).

Recent history:
I replaced the battery about 3 weeks ago with one of similar amperage since
the one in the car (I think) was the original ('98) and have had no problems
starting. The battery light remains on when I turn the key to the first
stage, I can't remember if this was always the case, but goes out after
starting.

My Audi dealer are pretty useless (took them a week to discover the air
heater was not heating as the element behind the dash was gone... they were
investigating the thermostat).

Does anyone know where I should start looking? Is it electrical? I saw a
post about an A6 that seemed similar, the said things had melted in the bulb
housing. My problems seems more electronic :(

Cheers,
Peter

[Robert Brown]

Peter Doyle wrote:

> Hi,
> When I use the turn signal stalk (in either direction) or activate the
> hazard lights the indicators (turn signals) blink one time. On the second
> blink its like they don't have enough juice, the dash signals glow and go
> out. No more blinking.
>
> Originally I thought it was a broken turn stalk (as I was driving when this
> happened), then I checked the hazards. All the bulbs work (activating the
> alarm).

That sounds like the turn signal relay. You will find it directly behind the red
hazard lights triangle in the middle of the dash. In fact, the red triangle is
the front side of the relay and not easily separate from it.

Even if the hazard lights themselves blink properly, the turn signals may not
work. That's what happened to me in my 2001 A4 Avant (also a B5 chassis like
yours).

In Europe it costs approx USD 50 to replace. Remove some of the black plastic
panel around it and lever it out carefully. What keeps it in place is the
friction from a large number (6? 7? I don't remember) of spade connectors.

/Robert