direction indicator: left one does not blink

[disaster123]

Hello,

my left direction indicator does not blink. Instead it just lights up.

The right one is working fine and also the hazard warning does work correctly. Left one is blinking as well.

Where to start searching?

Thanks!

Greets,
Stefan

[cactusman]

I am confused....you say the left does not blink...then you say it does..sounds like a wiring issue

[mark10337]

He is saying it doesn't blink as the turn signal but does if he uses the hazard. *I think*

This would point to the indicator relay which is separate to the hazard relay. The indicator relay is located on the left (n/s) behind the A-pillar under the dash. You'll probably be able to find it by turning on the right indicator and hunt the clicking box

[disaster123]

That was confusing myself too. I did not know that the indicator relay is seperate to the hazard relay. So i need to replace the whole relay?

[mgcjag]

Or it could be a bad connection on the indicator lever on the steering coloum

[mark10337]

If it was working before, then it is most likely a bad connection. The Green Yellow from the Hazard Light Switch is a likely suspect (don't ask me, the indicators and the hazard circuit is a bit of a dark art) - but basically that is the power feed for the indicators. Moving the indicator stalk gives a connection through to ground, completing the circuit for either left or right.

The strange part is the power comes through the flasher unit, which is the same for both left and right.

This is also true for the horn. This also is on the switch column on the steering wheel. Pushing the horn button grounds the lilac black wire which activates the horn relay. You can always test the horn by grounding this terminal directly on the relay. lilac black terminal W2.

[Vegard]

Can it be the relay if it works to one of the sides? Is there one relay for each side?

[chrisfell]

If the indicator flashes in one side and not the other, it isn't he flasher unit. Check the light units on the side that won't flash. It will probably be a poor earth.

[disaster123]

@chrisfell: what is the "light units"? And where is it? (sorry no native speaker)

[chrisfell]

@chrisfell: what is the "light units"? And where is it? (sorry no native speaker)

Stefan,
Light units are where the light bulbs are in the outside of the car. Remove the plastic lenses to find the screws locating the units to the body.

[disaster123]

So you mean bad/ poor earth makes the flash continuous light instead of blinking? How does it light as all with poor earth? Sorry to ask.

[Series1 Stu]

The problem can't be in the light units because they work with the hazard lights.

As to the cause, I'd need to check the wiring diagram.

Regards

[chrisfell]

The problem can't be in the light units because they work with the hazard lights.

As to the cause, I'd need to check the wiring diagram.

Regards

No, this is incorrect advice. The hazard flasher is less affectect by one of four lamps with a poor earth than the indicator would be when one of two lamps has a poor earth.

Check the earth on the lamps that will not flash. It will be a poor earth.

[Series1 Stu]

Ah, yes Chris. The left side doesn't draw enough current to heat the bimetal in the 'normal' flasher unit therefore the lights stay on solid. When the emergency flasher unit is on, there's still enough current draw to heat it's bimetal. Therefore, there's excessive resistance in the left hand side somewhere.

Got it!

Regards

[mark10337]

I love this forum!

[disaster123]

OK some news. I found out that the left behind indicator does not flash at all - even not for hazard warning.

So i swapped the light bulb from left behind and right behind but still the same. I took my multimeter and measured continuous 0V - +12V on the left behind one? How could this be? Still "bad" earth on left behind? Just not enough power for the filament? Any ideas where to check? I was not able to find the cables for the left behind one. I did not want to remove the whole taillight.

Thanks!

[John_Mann]

Did the left indicator ever work? If so, it is most likely a poor light globe connection, resulting in a change in the total resistance of the circuit which causes the indicator to default to permanately on (not blinking). Have had the exact same issue on my E. A couple of taps with my hand on the front indicator, brings it all back to life.
I suggest you remove each globe and give the globe sockets and terminals a good clean with some emery cloth to achieve a good live and earth contact.

[disaster123]

I did not know if it was every working. I have the car only one week ;-) I would say yes it was working. But i'm not sure.

I wanted to check all cables but the left behind ones are behind the tank? Do i really have to remove the whole tank to check the cables of the left behind indicator?

[mark10337]

It is possible to reach behind the tank and do it. The earth *should* go to a body connector just at the point where you can put your hand in the large whole. That runs down, through the grommet and into the lamp housing. Always good to clean up these connectors.

[baganz.sven@web.de]

Hi,

if you remove the rear left lamp completely, you can access the ground cable.
It is a short one with bullet connector directly at the rear side of the housing.

It goes from the housing to a left side ground connection point behind the tank.

I have just replaced this connection and I could access the ground point from the outside through the lamp body hole.
From inside the boot I think it's very difficult to reach the point.
Sven

P.S. german comment: Hi, am einfachsten geht es, wenn Du das Rücklicht ausbaust.
am Gehäuse, unter einer Lampenfassung, ist ein Kupferblech in welches das Massekabel eingesteckt ist. Das sollte links im Kofferraum mit einem Massepunkt verbunden sein (egal ob mit Ringkabelschuh oder bullet connector). Wenn du das Rücklicht herausnimmst ist der Punkt direkt auf der Rückseite. Man kann mit der Hand von Außen durch die Öffnung fassen und die Masse stecken.
Ich habe dieses Kabel gerade gewechselt, mein linkes Rücklicht hat auch nicht geblinkt da ich dort keine Masse hatte. sven