8 replies to this topic

[taffy1967]

At present I'm trying to get my 1990 Mainstream Mini Cooper through the MOT and the welding is done and it's going to get it's ball-joints sorted next.

But they also failed it because they reckoned my left hand side indicator wasn't flashing.

Well my Mini was laid up for some 3 years, but now it's been used a bit the indicators are both flashing at the normal rate when the engine is running, however the left hand side stops flashing when the brake pedal is pressed and it just stays on.

I've owned my Mini for well over 13 years, so chances are it's the original indicator flasher unit/relay. But I have ordered a replacement just in case.

But since the existing one is working well until the brake pedal is pressed, could there be a short somewhere or a bad earth?

If so where should I start looking, because everything else electrical is working fine. to be honest I think it's been like that for years anyway, but any advice will be greatly appreciated as I only have till next Saturday to get it sorted.

Edited by taffy1967, 14 July 2007 - 12:00 PM.

[Dan]

It will almost cetainly be a problem in the left rear lamp cluster. Probably damp or dirt. Or maybe chafed wiring behind the fuel tank.

[Ethel]

It will almost cetainly be a problem in the left rear lamp cluster. Probably damp or dirt. Or maybe chafed wiring behind the fuel tank.

'nuff said really - the flasher works both sides so if it was faulty you'd get the fault on both sides.

Poor earth, will combination of tail lights and reverse top it too?

[taffy1967]

Thanks Dan and I'll definitely check there first, so I just need to clean all the connections to the rear lamp? What does worry me is the garage who carried out the MOT did some welding to the N/S rear wheel arch a few years back and they claimed that they were careful not to damage/melt any of the wires, but I'll have a look and see what's what anyway.

But I do remember that prior to that my indicators would slow right down when the revs were low or if you pressed the brake lights. Now it's just the left hand side that stops, but apart from that their both working fine at any speed/revs.

Edited by taffy1967, 14 July 2007 - 12:12 PM.

[taffy1967]

It will almost cetainly be a problem in the left rear lamp cluster. Probably damp or dirt. Or maybe chafed wiring behind the fuel tank.

'nuff said really - the flasher works both sides so if it was faulty you'd get the fault on both sides.

Poor earth, will combination of tail lights and reverse top it too?

If I put the lights on and the heater and/or heated rear windscreen element, my wipers will slow down a fair bit. But they run just fine otherwise.

I don't have a problem with the battery because that's brand new and the alternator was refurbished/rebuilt recently and that's working fine too.

It's just the left hand side that's the problem, but I have heard that the flasher unit/relay can sometimes fail or play up on one side though due to it's bi-metallic strip?

Edited by taffy1967, 14 July 2007 - 12:17 PM.

[Ethel]

Well auto electrics are getting ever more complex but I think there's still just the one supply off the flasher unit that serves both indicators. I suppose if one side's indicators had more resistance than the other that might stop one unit flashing on one side when another unit work work on both.

[taffy1967]

Well auto electrics are getting ever more complex but I think there's still just the one supply off the flasher unit that serves both indicators. I suppose if one side's indicators had more resistance than the other that might stop one unit flashing on one side when another unit work work on both.

Thanks Ethel I'll be checking it all later and I've ordered a replacement flasher unit/relay from Somerford just to be on the safe side anyway.

[M44K TS]

the flasher units are rubbish aswell, i hate how erratic the indicators can be on them, that's why i swapped mine for a proper relay from halfords

One thing i would check aswell if the wipers etc are slowing down, the battery earth connection where it bolts to the boot floor. If it looks a little rusty/corroded, clean it up, should do the trick

[taffy1967]

Okay thanks mate and just an update and the good news is their both flashing now, even when the brake pedal is pressed. But the brake lights now also flash slightly too.

And that was before I checked anything so they seem to be improving the more I use them!

But I did check all the wiring behind the rear light clusters (I moved the fuel tank out the way for the left hand side), I fitted brand new indicator bulbs and stop/tail lamp bulbs and cleaned up the battery to boot floor earth lead connection even though it didn't need it.

I also checked and cleaned the front indicators too but I couldn't find a fault with any of the wiring inside the boot though. I also resisted the temptation to spray WD40 at everything, because it wouldn't be a good long term fix?

Anyway at least it's good news that their both flashing nicely now, even when the brake lights are on, although they do then slow down slightly though and do the same when the heater blower motor or rear screen demister is on. They don't flash at all if the engine isn't running mind.

So I'm slightly at a loss as to the cause of the brake light flashing problem, even though it's barely noticeable. I guess fitting the new indicator flasher unit I've ordered is worth a try and perhaps replacing the 4 type standard fuse box, since it's the original and has been sitting there for almost 17 years now?

Edited by taffy1967, 15 July 2007 - 09:07 PM.