Quiet Turn Signals (Indicators) Relay Solutions? - Toyota Yaris Forums

LugNut · 11-10-2011, 09:12 PM

Been searching the site, but not finding a direct answer to solving the nearly silent indicator problem. Way back, in the old, old days, we'd replace the flasher unit with a heavy-duty version meant for trailer-towing.

I do read that the Toyota flasher part is OEM-only. Any solutions for increasing the sound produced? Thanks!

CTScott · 11-10-2011, 09:42 PM

Just add a pair of loud clicky relays across the turn signal wires.

LugNut · 11-11-2011, 08:08 AM

Thanks, but it seems like that would take away current from the lights, making them fractionally dimmer/less safe ...

How 'bout the newer years -- do they have louder flasher-relays? If so, maybe Toyota upgraded the part, and possibly a newer year's would fit in the 2007s?

What are you 2009+ owners hearing when you use your turn signals?

CTScott · 11-11-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugNut

Thanks, but it seems like that would take away current from the lights, making them fractionally dimmer/less safe ...

How 'bout the newer years -- do they have louder flasher-relays? If so, maybe Toyota upgraded the part, and possibly a newer year's would fit in the 2007s?

What are you 2009+ owners hearing when you use your turn signals?

They are all the same for quite a span of years.

You are completely incorrect on the current piece. A relay coil has very high resistance in comparison to a bulb, so the effect of the coil (which would draw less than 100 mA) would be negligible.

BEEF · 11-11-2011, 10:09 AM

regardless, it is a parallel path. it would cause the circuit to draw more current from the battery not limit the current to the light.

it shouldn't affect the brightness at all.

***edit***

and (as CT said) since the current draw is so low, it won't exceed the fuse carrying capacity either unless you go gonzo and put a dozen of them in.

LugNut · 11-11-2011, 06:37 PM

"You are completely incorrect on the current piece"

Thanks, but the snippy attitude is totally inappropriate. Grow up, or if unintended, be a bit more careful before hitting enter.

I do see an aftermarket relay on RockAuto.com, but they want nearly $50 and it may not be louder. If this is an issue on many models, it seems that there is a business opportunity for someone to design, have made, and sell louder flasher units!

ecc_33 · 11-11-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LugNut

"You are completely incorrect on the current piece"

Thanks, but the snippy attitude is totally inappropriate. Grow up, or if unintended, be a bit more careful before hitting enter.

Ok nancy boy, Take off your suite and tie and toughin up a bit. That was not offensive in anyway. Not sure how you read that but he was tried and true to the point. He is a toyota mechanic and prob one of the best. I would listen for sure.

ilikerice · 11-11-2011, 07:07 PM

how else are you suppose to say.. "you are completely wrong"????

BLH · 11-11-2011, 07:23 PM

If you put a relay coil in parallel with the bulbs You do increase the total current. The coils current adds to the bulbs current. Though the coil current is probably so small compared to the bulbs. It would not matter much.

I used a 12 volt sounder on one of my older cars. Connected across the turn signal bulbs.
Scared every mechanic I forgot to tell about it.

BEEF · 11-11-2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLH

If you put a relay coil in parallel with the bulbs You do increase the total current. The coils current adds to the bulbs current.

that's exactly what I said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEEF

it would cause the circuit to draw more current from the battery

though it seems the OP is upset so I doubt he will take anyones advice. oh well.

LugNut · 11-12-2011, 08:52 AM

No, definitely do use this forums to obtain advice, but being a mechanic myself from decades ago, I don't do shadetree patchjobs where not necessary. Obviously, this problem needs an engineered fix by Toyota -- it is a safety issue as another person posted in different thread. He had a car pull out in front of him because his blinker was on and he couldn't hear it. Has this problem been reported to Toyota and the NTSB?

ilikerice · 11-12-2011, 09:52 AM

I dont know about this being a safety issue.. I mean, their is a bright green light blinking in front of you.. at its not like the steering wheel is covering it up like other cars..

Its more driver awareness than safety to me.. even if someones turn signal is on, you never suppose to pull out in front of them unless they are actually going to turn.. Ive been to 4 defensive driving classes for being young and dumb with too many tickets.. I taken that test way too many times.

I do think it could be a TSB though.. for those who complain about the sound of the flasher, they could replace it with a new louder one.. I have never had a problem with my turn signals staying on with out me noticing it within a min.

my 2 cents

CTScott · 11-12-2011, 10:29 AM

You are not going to find a modern louder one that fits in that package. You can see from the picture below how small the two relays are, that are contained within. In the days of old, you needed a large set of contacts and a hefty spring to switch a 4+ Amp DC load without the contacts occasionally welding together. Modern materials allow far smaller relays to more reliably do the job of yesterday's larger ones. So, if you want a louder click it will need to be done by means of external larger relays or an audio generating circuit.

I don't think you'll ever get an automotive manufacturer or the NTSB to say that a quiet relay is a safety issue, since one must have vision to be allowed to drive.

Flasher relay.jpg

LugNut · 11-12-2011, 02:16 PM

Except ... that they did an "interesting" thing and put the instrument cluster in the middle of the car, and not directly in front of the driver. Drivers must look far to the side to gather critical information -- that's a design flaw, IMHO.

So it is a combination of a number of factors -- quiet flasher, poor cluster location, and econo car with a noisier interior than higher-end models that apparently use the same flasher.

This is a potential safety defect. What are (certified or otherwise) technicians and employees of automobile companies and their networks required to do when potential safety defects become apparent?

And what happens when they don't do it?

CTScott · 11-12-2011, 03:43 PM

I still don't follow your logic in jumping to it being a "safety defect". Failure to turn off flashers, due to not realizing that one left them on is 100% operator error.

LugNut · 11-12-2011, 04:16 PM

That's an unfortunate opinion. Others, if you also are experiencing this problem, here's where to file a complaint:

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Hopefully Toyota will do the right thing when they are made aware of the problem.

bobolinko · 03-19-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Hopefully Toyota will do the right thing when they are made aware of the problem.

Better idea for you...
Buy a f'n hearing aid and a different car so that you can join a different forum, and take your cryin elsewhere. There are only EXPERTS and big boys here. No room for high-nosed cryin a-holes on this forum.

CT Scott has done more for this community than you could ever dream to achieve in your life, so don't go knockin him when you're the stuffed shiXt..

GoodBye and don't let the door hit your butt when you exit.

ROCKLAND TOYOTA · 03-19-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobolinko

Better idea for you...
Buy a f'n hearing aid and a different car so that you can join a different forum, and take your cryin elsewhere. There are only EXPERTS and big boys here. No room for high-nosed cryin a-holes on this forum.

CT Scott has done more for this community than you could ever dream to achieve in your life, so don't go knockin him when you're the stuffed shiXt..

GoodBye and don't let the door hit your butt when you exit.

WHOA, good comeback there. i'll bet he goes away now....

11-10-2011, 09:12 PM	#1
LugNut Drives: 2007 2DR Liftback Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: N.E., KS Posts: 115	Quiet Turn Signals (Indicators) Relay Solutions? Been searching the site, but not finding a direct answer to solving the nearly silent indicator problem. Way back, in the old, old days, we'd replace the flasher unit with a heavy-duty version meant for trailer-towing. I do read that the Toyota flasher part is OEM-only. Any solutions for increasing the sound produced? Thanks!

11-10-2011, 09:42 PM	#2
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	Just add a pair of loud clicky relays across the turn signal wires. __________________

11-11-2011, 08:08 AM	#3
LugNut Drives: 2007 2DR Liftback Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: N.E., KS Posts: 115	Recent Yari also have too-quiet flashers? Thanks, but it seems like that would take away current from the lights, making them fractionally dimmer/less safe ... How 'bout the newer years -- do they have louder flasher-relays? If so, maybe Toyota upgraded the part, and possibly a newer year's would fit in the 2007s? What are you 2009+ owners hearing when you use your turn signals?

11-11-2011, 10:09 AM	#5
BEEF View User's Garage Drives: 2008 yaris 3d Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: north carolina Posts: 732	regardless, it is a parallel path. it would cause the circuit to draw more current from the battery not limit the current to the light. it shouldn't affect the brightness at all. *edit* and (as CT said) since the current draw is so low, it won't exceed the fuse carrying capacity either unless you go gonzo and put a dozen of them in. __________________ Be the change you wish to see in the world -Mahatma Gandhi-

11-11-2011, 07:07 PM	#8
ilikerice Drives: 2010 black yaris Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: savannah, ga Posts: 2,868	how else are you suppose to say.. "you are completely wrong"???? __________________ -Derrick- "Racing is important to men who do it well. When you're racing... It's life. Anything that happens before or after, is just waiting."

11-11-2011, 06:37 PM	#6
LugNut Drives: 2007 2DR Liftback Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: N.E., KS Posts: 115	"You are completely incorrect on the current piece" Thanks, but the snippy attitude is totally inappropriate. Grow up, or if unintended, be a bit more careful before hitting enter. I do see an aftermarket relay on RockAuto.com, but they want nearly $50 and it may not be louder. If this is an issue on many models, it seems that there is a business opportunity for someone to design, have made, and sell louder flasher units!

11-11-2011, 07:23 PM	#9
BLH Drives: 2007 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CT Posts: 281	If you put a relay coil in parallel with the bulbs You do increase the total current. The coils current adds to the bulbs current. Though the coil current is probably so small compared to the bulbs. It would not matter much. I used a 12 volt sounder on one of my older cars. Connected across the turn signal bulbs. Scared every mechanic I forgot to tell about it.

11-12-2011, 08:52 AM	#11
LugNut Drives: 2007 2DR Liftback Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: N.E., KS Posts: 115	No, definitely do use this forums to obtain advice, but being a mechanic myself from decades ago, I don't do shadetree patchjobs where not necessary. Obviously, this problem needs an engineered fix by Toyota -- it is a safety issue as another person posted in different thread. He had a car pull out in front of him because his blinker was on and he couldn't hear it. Has this problem been reported to Toyota and the NTSB?

11-12-2011, 09:52 AM	#12
ilikerice Drives: 2010 black yaris Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: savannah, ga Posts: 2,868	I dont know about this being a safety issue.. I mean, their is a bright green light blinking in front of you.. at its not like the steering wheel is covering it up like other cars.. Its more driver awareness than safety to me.. even if someones turn signal is on, you never suppose to pull out in front of them unless they are actually going to turn.. Ive been to 4 defensive driving classes for being young and dumb with too many tickets.. I taken that test way too many times. I do think it could be a TSB though.. for those who complain about the sound of the flasher, they could replace it with a new louder one.. I have never had a problem with my turn signals staying on with out me noticing it within a min. my 2 cents __________________ -Derrick- "Racing is important to men who do it well. When you're racing... It's life. Anything that happens before or after, is just waiting."

11-12-2011, 10:29 AM	#13
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	You are not going to find a modern louder one that fits in that package. You can see from the picture below how small the two relays are, that are contained within. In the days of old, you needed a large set of contacts and a hefty spring to switch a 4+ Amp DC load without the contacts occasionally welding together. Modern materials allow far smaller relays to more reliably do the job of yesterday's larger ones. So, if you want a louder click it will need to be done by means of external larger relays or an audio generating circuit. I don't think you'll ever get an automotive manufacturer or the NTSB to say that a quiet relay is a safety issue, since one must have vision to be allowed to drive. Flasher relay.jpg __________________

11-12-2011, 02:16 PM	#14
LugNut Drives: 2007 2DR Liftback Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: N.E., KS Posts: 115	Except ... that they did an "interesting" thing and put the instrument cluster in the middle of the car, and not directly in front of the driver. Drivers must look far to the side to gather critical information -- that's a design flaw, IMHO. So it is a combination of a number of factors -- quiet flasher, poor cluster location, and econo car with a noisier interior than higher-end models that apparently use the same flasher. This is a potential safety defect. What are (certified or otherwise) technicians and employees of automobile companies and their networks required to do when potential safety defects become apparent? And what happens when they don't do it?

11-12-2011, 03:43 PM	#15
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	I still don't follow your logic in jumping to it being a "safety defect". Failure to turn off flashers, due to not realizing that one left them on is 100% operator error. __________________

11-12-2011, 04:16 PM	#16
LugNut Drives: 2007 2DR Liftback Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: N.E., KS Posts: 115	NHTSA link That's an unfortunate opinion. Others, if you also are experiencing this problem, here's where to file a complaint: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ Hopefully Toyota will do the right thing when they are made aware of the problem.

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