recently, my turn signals have been working not properly. sometimes they don't work at all. sometimes they'll blink once, twice, 3 times, then stop. this is for both left and right. when i remote un/lock my car, all the turn lights flash properly. and when i turn on the hazards, they flash properly. i'm guessing that it's either the turn signal relay which i believe is part of the hazard switch assembly, or the turn signal stalk switch in the steering column. does anyone have any ideas on where to start troubleshooting this one? thanks

2000 a4 avant quattro 1.8t, 5 speed manual

 

Best bet is the hazard switch/turn relay - it's known to fail on our cars and most of us have had the problem at one time or another. Almost everyone fixes it with a replacement turn relay.

 

to replace the hazard relay switch, do i need to pull out the stereo? and what's the safest way of pulling off the plastic dash piece around the hazard switch without breaking it? also, just for my info, if the relay is broken, then why would the turn lights work properly for the hazards, alarm, etc.? is it a different circuit than the turn signal stalk switches from the steering column?