Turn Indicator - Right only works sometimes (88 Camry)
 

I have new (to me) 1988 Camry sedan. The turn indicator works 100% when indicating left, but when turning right, will only work if I hold it halfway down. That is: if I "click" it into place, the flasher starts buzzing and I don't get any signal. But if I just hold it halfway down, it works fine. I believe the whole unit has been replaced before. It does seem to be some kind of contact issue. Any idea where to start?

It's a right hand drive vehicle, Australia.

Try using the emergency flashers, this bypasses the turn signal arm controls. If all works OK would look at the turn signal control switch.

In most of these systems the turn signal arm grounds the wires from the signal system to complete a circuit, it does not connect power to the circuit.

The contacts in the arm may be dirt or diffective

Thanks. Yes the emergency flashers work.

Do you think I need to replace the entire arm and switch mechanism? Or might it just not be making a proper contact?

Could be a dirty contact but not sure how to take the unit apart (if possible). All the controls and switches for the turn signal are in the control arm unit.

You might be able to spray electrical contact cleaner into the switch contact area, worth a try. Use only electrical contact cleaner (autoparts store should have this). Do not use WD-40.

I'll try that. Good tip re: not using WD-40, cause that's what I would've done!

I have a hunch that it's maybe more of an alignment problem, as when I hold the arm halfway down (before it "clicks in") it works fine.

WD-40 will eventually gum of the works.