13 replies to this topic

[chipmongrel360]

Hi, I have a problem that I need sorted tonight.

My rear right indicator is not working, the bulb is not blown (I've swapped it with the reverse light and it still won't work) the other indicators all work but stay on solid ( presumably because one isn't working) I've checked the connections at the back of the rear light unit, and they seem fine. All fuses are ok as well, any ideas as to what else I can check?

Cheers, chris

[Matthew_23]

does the bulb come on when the hazards are turned on?

[chipmongrel360]

does the bulb come on when the hazards are turned on?

Hi, no it doesn't...

[Matthew_23]

that would suggest the bulb has gone, I think im right in presuming that if 1 bulb has gone then the other will stay on solid. Have you tried removing one of the other indicator bulbs and then turning the hazards on to see if the rear right indicator then comes on?

(I've swapped it with the reverse light and it still won't work)

[Bristol Mini]

Could it be the Bi-metallic strip?

[SamMayfair1996]

Im no expert, but try checking your headlight and front indicator connections too because when my front light got jolted going over a BIG hole in the road, it spazzed out my indicators making them go like 5x the usual speed and ended up making them smoke... But after I fiddled with the front bulb casing it worked fine again.

[chipmongrel360]

Could it be the Bi-metallic strip?

Sorry to sound thick but what and where is that?

I've also discovered that the rear lights on both sides do not light up when the headlights are lit, althought I am fairly certain that they did when I started...

[chipmongrel360]

Update: the light is now working, came on randomly, I dont know why...

However, all the indicators now either stay on solid or flash extremely slowly, I assume my indicator relay has given in?

[Matthew_23]

Im still swaying to the bulb being blown. Have you swapped it with another indicator bulb to see if it lights up?

[Bristol Mini]

Could it be the Bi-metallic strip?

Sorry to sound thick but what and where is that?

I've also discovered that the rear lights on both sides do not light up when the headlights are lit, althought I am fairly certain that they did when I started...

It's basically what open and closes the circuit to make them flash. I was thinking it could be stuck open.

[tiger99]

Ignore ridiculous advice. The bimetallic strip in the flasher unit is not stuck open, as it feeds ALL the indicators, and some of them work. However, it may need replacing, if the flashing speed is incorrect. And, whoever had the lights flashing at a furious speed had a short to earth, which should have been investigated and fixed properly.

Your problem is almost certainly stuck or corroded spring contacts in the bulb holder, or one of the bullet connectors adrift or dirty. Don't forget the earth.

Flashing too slow, if the flasher unit itself is not worn out, means that there is high resistance in the circuit, or bulbs which are too small, not enough electrical load. (Usually with LED lights the thing will not flash at all, for that reason.) Maybe your flasher filaments are not properly rated, they should be 21 watts. Or, possibly a high resistance at the ignition switch, the indicator switch, or any intervening bullet connector. Possibly just low battery voltage, they only need to flash at the correct speed with the engine running.

[Bristol Mini]

Ignore ridiculous advice. The bimetallic strip in the flasher unit is not stuck open, as it feeds ALL the indicators, and some of them work. However, it may need replacing, if the flashing speed is incorrect. And, whoever had the lights flashing at a furious speed had a short to earth, which should have been investigated and fixed properly.

Thanks for that....Nice and rude. I was only trying to help.

[tiger99]

Giving "advice" when your electrical knowledge is totally non-existent, not even knowing the difference between "open" and "closed", and wasting people's time and money is what is downright rude in my opinion.

[Bristol Mini]

Giving "advice" when your electrical knowledge is totally non-existent, not even knowing the difference between "open" and "closed", and wasting people's time and money is what is downright rude in my opinion.

I would just like to point out that i'm a 3rd year apprentice mechanic, i'm fully qualified, therefore you comment about my electrical knowledge being "non-existent" is totally wrong. Clearly you feel the need to fight with someone over the internet. I'm not going to stoop down to your level, so i hope with time you realize how rude you've been to someone you don't even know, and how that makes you a coward. Because you wouldn't dare say something like that to a random person on the street. Goodbye and have a lovely day.

Edited by Bristol Mini, 13 May 2012 - 06:39 PM.