6 replies to this topic

[steerling]

My '81 leyland has for a short time now been slightly temperamental with it's indicator flashing. Signalling left is usually fine, but sometimes when signalling right, it will flash a couple times, then stay solid, flash...solid...etc. Because I have clear park/indicator lamps at the front, when driving at night (hard to avoid in winter) this can be quite sketchy. Just yesterday i noticed that the problem is exacerbated with your foot on the brake, operating the brake lamps at the same time, which prevents the indicators from flashing at all. 

 

My basic understanding of electrical systems leads me to believe that there's too much load/resistance in the circuit? Could it be a bad ground? Or am i somehow not getting the required power (volts? amps?)? 

 

Any advice on where to start with this? Also, how difficult would it be to re-wire this circuit if the problem lies with old crapy wiring? I've had a few incidents with shoddy LT wires in the coil circuit too. I'd love to re-wire these but am not sure if there are any key points (e.g. type/gauge of wire) i should be aware of. Also, for example, if i replace a white/pink wire with a black wire, what's the best way of labelling the wire such that I or anyone in the future will know it's function. 

 

Sorry for the 10 part question but I hope they are considered under the same 'electrical ignorance' umbrella : ) ....multimeter at the ready!

[Yoda]

Most indicator problems are down to bad connections and poor earth at the lamps. Usually the front ones. Turn on the hazards and get out to see which lamp is either very dim or not on at all. This will be the lamp that needs looking at. Next place to look will be where the bullet connections are hidden under the bonnet slam panel. Pull these apart and clean the up. Hopefully that will be all you need to do.

Edited by Yoda, 19 June 2014 - 02:16 PM.

[Ethel]

It could be an indication (sorry for the pun) of a poor earth in the boot.

 

Volts will always run from high to low, if there's no voltage in the unused brake circuit the indicators can use it as an extra route to earth, via both stop lights. With the stop lights lit, that route is blocked, and there may even be higher voltage out of the stop lights blocking access to the earths.

 

I'd start tracing my way back up the wiring from the boot earths, looking for poor connections, though bad connections anywhere in the circuit could be to blame.

[KernowCooper]

Here is your guide to what cable sizes are required per circuit http://www.theminifo...cable-listings/

['74 Mini 1000]

The indicators on my '74 was very temperamental, fast - slow - constant. Thought it was quirky so I left it till it gave up the ghost. The little flasher unit (pic below) located under the dash (it's the thing that makes the clicking noise) was the culprit. Gave it a little flick and it started up - needed replacing eventually. There a delicate little thing - DO NOT DROP engraved on it. There a cheap fix and easy to swap out. May be worth a look.

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[steerling]

Most indicator problems are down to bad connections and poor earth at the lamps. Usually the front ones. Turn on the hazards and get out to see which lamp is either very dim or not on at all. This will be the lamp that needs looking at. Next place to look will be where the bullet connections are hidden under the bonnet slam panel. Pull these apart and clean the up. Hopefully that will be all you need to do.

 

Ahh...if only my hazard lights worked. haha that's another problem i'm going to try get on top of today!

[Yoda]

No hazards? Why? A dodgy hazard switch can cause indicator problems too! But just turn on the indicators on the side not working and check the lamps. But you ought to fix hazards first if fitted.