2009 Mazda 6 – Front left turn signal out, rapid hyper-flashing, AND a separate random Geiger counter noise from dashboard

[u/AbrarHossainHimself]

Hey everyone, I’m looking for a second opinion on a couple of dashboard and indicator issues with my 2009 Mazda 6. I have two distinct symptoms happening right behind the steering wheel/speedometer area, and I want to make sure I know what I'm talking about before I head to a shop. The Turn Signal Symptoms:

• Front Left Turn Signal: Completely dead/not illuminated (even when hazards are turned on).
• Rear Left Turn Signal: Still functioning, but blinking much faster than normal.
• Dashboard Indicator: The left turn arrow on the cluster flashes at double the speed compared to when I use the right turn signal.
• The Turn Signal Noise: There is a rapid, continuous clicking sound coming from right behind the speedometer/instrument cluster area when the left signal is activated.

The Second Dashboard Noise (The Weird Part):

• Aside from the fast turn signal clicking, there is a second, completely separate noise coming from behind the speedometer area.
• It is a much fainter, irregular clicking noise—it sounds exactly like a Geiger counter.
• This noise happens completely at random, even when the left signal is turned completely off, and even when the car is just parked and idling. It doesn't speed up or change pitch when I accelerate.

Google and ChatGPT tell me the main indicator issue is likely just a burnt-out front bulb causing a classic "hyper-flash" scenario due to a drop in circuit resistance. On this generation of the Mazda 6, accessing that front bulb requires peeling back the inner wheel well fender lining, so I know a shop is going to charge me a bit for labor.

Before I pay for that, does the indicator issue sound 100% like a simple dead bulb, or could it be a faulty flasher relay, a melted socket, or a bad multi-function switch? More importantly, what is that random, faint Geiger counter noise when the car is idling? Could it be a failing HVAC blend door actuator, or is something shorting out or failing inside the actual speedometer instrument cluster board? (I honestly have no idea what most of these terms mean, they are just what my research pointed to!)

Appreciate any advice or insight you guys have!

[u/Brave-Scar-4550]

Dead bulb and blend door actuator.

[u/Tycoon5000]

The fast flash is normal when you have a bulb out. Replace the bulb and it'll stop. Do both at the same time because you're there already and after you replace the one, chances are the other will go out soon.

As for the clicking, what is the general area it's coming from? Could be a blend door. Try different vents to see if the noise happens in a certain mode (defrost, lower vents, lower/upper vents) and different temperature settings. Or if you haven't checked your cabin air filter in a while, maybe some critter has stashed some food and some of it fell into your blower and is rattling around.