indicators faulty...

[mccarthym]

Thanks very much Spinlondon, just one question, which part of the bulb holder is +ve and -ve ??

Also considering only the left side indicators is out with the left rear rapid signalling and the front left and side not going at all, would this indicate the flasher relay is OK??

Also the first thing I did was change left bulbs and connectors to the right and vise versa and still had the same problem, I suppose this tells me I dont have a problem with wattage on the bulbs?

Any help much appreciated...

Matt.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

-ve is usually the body of the bulb holder, with +ve being the center terminal.
Sounds like the flasher rely is working fine, simply because the right side works.
The fact that the rear left is flashing quickly, and the front and side repeater not at all, indicates (pun intended) that you have a broken wire.
The break will most likely be somewhere between the relay and the side repeater.

 

[mccarthym]

Thanks Spinlondon ... can you tell me where the relay and the side repeater is. I know what a relay is I think ... just a switch right, not sure what a side repeater is though?
Any help much appreciated...
Matt

 

[Deleted member 26818]

sorry, don't know where the relay would be, most likely places are under the bonnet in a fuse box , or under either the driver's side or passenger side dash.
The side repeater is what you called the side indicator.

 

[mccarthym]

Thanks for the help Spinlondon... much appreciated.

 

[ruston]

Your flasher unit is fine , but to find it put the working indicator on an locate it by the clicking noise. Usually under the dash.
If your rear flasher lamp is working ;and as spin has said, the repeater and front is not, you have a break in supply to those.
Simply follow the supply to those checking were the voltage or neg disappears ,then you should have it.

 

[mccarthym]

Thanks ruston ... much appreciatd

 

[ruston]

With a voltage tester, test from the wire that goes to the center pin to the lamp with the rear indicator on to a good earth. If there is no indication on either lamp and the rear flasher is still flashing , you have lost the live to those two lamps.

 

[mccarthym]

Just wondering Ruston.... is there an easy way to trace the break in supply without ripping apart all the wiring ?? Also I'm guessing there is only one relay for all the indicators and considering I only have the front left and side out, the relay (if there is only one) is OK ??
Thanks Ruston, much appreciated...
Matt...

 

[telectrix]

the relay will be OK as it's firing volts to both sides of the car. if the bulb is known to be good, then it's definitely a loss of either + or - to thethe non working lamp. 99% of the time, it will be within 6" of the lamp.

 

[ruston]

As Tel has said the loss is usually local, unless the car has had some damage ,or other work done to disturb the wiring.
The easy way IS with a voltage tester from the lamp and work your way back.
It may be that you have just lost the neg if you have corrosion on the bodywork in the area of the neg termination if it is common to the front lamp and repeater.
A voltage tester with sharp probes to pierce the insulation is the type I mean.

On a car that age (depending on your climate lol) the wiring close to the contacts could well be tarnished and near 'mush'. Check that first.

 

[mccarthym]

Thanks guys, yeah I have a voltage tester with sharp probes so I'll use that and work my way back from the flasher, just one more question.... since I have both the side and the front bulbs out is there one I should concentrate on first? Oh and yes I checked the earth to the chassis, it wasn't corroded but I cleaned it and tightened it... no result but I will try your helpful advice, thanks... yes the climate here is 'bloody hot mate' lol it actually knocks me around as much as some Brit's I meet, I'm from the South of New Zealand... thanks for the help...

 

[ruston]

If the front lamp has two terminals to the contact there is a good chance it supplies the repeater but not guaranteed. vice versa for the repeater.
It is more likely that it is tapped from the passing harness though.

Good luck. It is best to find the fault and not to add a supply from the working rear to the front lamps, for peace of mind and safety.