The right front turn signal on my '88 535is (e28) has stopped working. The
trouble appeared intermittently after some things happened with my right fog
light (which I'll describe below) but now fails every time I try to use it.

When I turn on the right hand turn signal, it blinks fast on the instrument
panel (I assume to tell me there's something wrong) and the two check
indicators light up on the control panel: the turn signal indicator and
the license plate light indicator. The license plate light is working
properly.

I took the bulb out and tested it in the left-hand unit and it is working
fine. I also tried replacing the buld anyway. The fuse is also new and
working properly.

My right fog-light electrical cable became severed so I disconnected it from
the rest of the wiring. I am getting ready to replace it and have recently
ordered the parts.

Because of the timing on all this, I have been assuming that the open socket
on the wiring to the fog light on the section of wiring that also goes to
the signal light is the reason it's behaving this way. Am I wrong to assume
this or is there something else obvious to you that I should be checking,
too?

"Larry Tate" <larry.tate (AT) bewitched (DOT) com> wrote


Leave the turn signal on and try replacing all fuses one by one with a new,
unused fuse. I tried also cleaning the relay with no success but a new fuse
did the work. The old fuse looked perfectly OK even under a magnifying
glass.

Antti Panula

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll give them a try tonight.

"Larry Tate" <larry.tate (AT) bewitched (DOT) com> wrote

The bulb has 2x contacts - it is possible to put it in upside down (there is
a small contact and a larger one). Try turning it upside down

Clean the contacts behind the bulb and the connector as well.

"Larry Tate" <larry.tate (AT) bewitched (DOT) com> wrote