5 replies to this topic

[JayBox]

Year: 1981

Model: HL

Problem: Whenever I indicate left the light on the dash to illustrate the indicator flashing just turns on solid, not flashing/blinking. After a search on the forums there were a lot of similar problems, but not this specific one.

 

I have had the car for about 2 days, and it was fine all the way home from Sheffield, but now they have just given up.

 

I read a guide that might solve them, but I can't try it until tomorrow, and if that doesn't work it's not really too safe to drive so a second option would be handy.

 

Option #1: Turn on ignition to allow voltage to flow, turn on one of the indicators then very gently press the hazard switch by about 2 or 3 millimetres. This should sort out the problem.

 

Option #2: Hopefully you can help me there.

 

Another thing, my engine seems to overheat very quickly. The previous owner has done a rebuild and it is running a lot of new parts. Do newly built engines spend some time being very hot for a while when they're being warn in?

 

My engine has cut out when approaching T-junctions/traffic lights when the clutch is in, and with a foot on the break so there's no active revs going through the engine. I'm currently putting this down to my not being used to the manual choke yet or relating to the heat problem.

 

Thanks in advance,

Jay

[cal844]

Try another hazard switch as a test(preferably from a daily use mini so you know it works)
If this works then purchase a new switch

If not test the relay(s)

[Alex_B]

The indicators could be down to a blown bulb, without all the bulbs working correctly it wont pull the required current to make the flasher unit flash, thus either flash fast as found on modern cars or just not flash on classics. 

Overheating shouldn't occur at any point so something is wrong. How do you know its over heating? the standard gauge showing H or an actual accurate gauge showing specific temperatures, or the engine dropping coolant etc? 

The cutting out could be the choke not being pulled out for long enough or if the engine has been running long enough and is hot the idle speed could be a bit low causing it the revs to just drop down too far and die. What does it idle at when the choke is fully in and the engine is warmed up? 

[KernowCooper]

The flasher staying on could be a bad connection if both lights are on, this could be in the bullet connections behind the grill and be a dirty connection on either the feed pr earth, or could be a dirty connection in the bulb contacts in the light.

 

Rebuilt engines could indeed be a bit tight when first rebuilt, but depending on how many miles yours has done could just be bad tuning

Edited by KernowCooper, 21 July 2014 - 11:13 PM.

[JayBox]

I had a look at the car at lunch to get more information:

 

The engine was stone-cold from not being used, yet when I started it the temp guage rocketed straight up. So overheating may not be an issue afterall. Probably an electrical issue relating to the thermostat.

 

Also, I looked more in-depth at the indicators problem and it turns out my Hazards aren't working at all, my right indicator is working fine, but the left indicator inside light turns on solid while the exterior indicator bulb doesn't do anything.

[JayBox]

Another little update. Just had a 5 minute drive and the car died a few times due to the heat. Going to get some coolant tomorrow in the hopes it is purely down to the car not having any.

I have also been recommended to check the front left indicator bulb cause it could be shorting the circuit and not giving the relay enough of a current to trigger it. It does explain why the inside and rear indicators work and the front left doesn't.