Turn signals and hazards flash once or twice then stop

DUANE BEACH-BARROW

MEMBER
2001 HONDA CIVIC
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
162,000 MILES

Several months ago, I had new struts and shocks installed along with 4 new tires. I had the front end alignment done as well. When I got the car back, the steering wheel was cocked to the left (approximately. 10 O'clock). When I would put on the left turn signal, I would hear a clicking sound and the signal stayed on after I completed my left turn and I had to turn it off manually. This did not happen when I used the right signal, and the hazard lights worked fine. A few days ago, I was waiting to make a left turn and noticed that the left blinker wasn't flashing. I put it in the middle position and re-engaged it and nothing happened. If the steering wheel is in a certain position, everything works. Fuses are all fine but auto parts guy said I needed to replace the entire Directional Signal Arm Assembly, but the ones I see online don't look the same.

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,573 POSTS

It sounds like the first shop did a poor alignment if they didn't center the steering wheel when they finished. That may have damaged the cancelling feature that moves the switch to off after a turn. The first thing I would do is have a better shop check the alignment and re-center the wheel. Then see if the lights now work properly with the cancelling cam in the correct spot. If not then you likely have a bad switch cancelling arm and will need to replace the switch.
Don't just replace the switch without having the steering adjusted to bring the wheel back to center or you will damage the new switch the same as the current switch.
If this is a US model the switch is easy to replace, remove the lower dash cover and the steering column covers, then unplug the switch, remove the two screws and the switch will slide out.