Indicator & hazards problem :( Help please?

[zzippyman]

I've checked out the Wiki section and threads on here, but I've not found anyone with a similar problem - can anyone point me in a direction that'll help please? If you can, be warned I'm not great at electrics, so be gentle won't you?

The problem is as follows:

Indicating left: no problem, all works fine
Indicating right: buzzing noise from relay, indicators don't flash, though green light on dash lights up and stays green though slightly flashes (if you know what I mean?)
Hazard lights: buzzing noise from relay, only right hand indicator lights flash (very dimly). Again, green light on dash lights up and stays green though slightly flashes

I've checked the crown earths as suggested, checked all bulbs are fine and ordered a new relay (due anytime now) - does anyone have any other ideas I can try? Just please remember I'm not an electricky guy...

Thanks, Tim

[MidLifeCrisis]

Bit of speculation here:
If your left hand indicators work OK, that would suggest that the Flasher Relay is working properly, and the indicator stalk switch for the left-hand indication is working;
And you have a problem even when the hazard flashers are not working which 'suggests' (but doesn't prove) that the problem isn't with the emergency flasher switch;
Which in turn would suggest that the problem is with the right-hand indicator circuit;

Are you sure that both the right-hand indicator bulbs are working - it sort of looks like one of the bulbs might have blown and be grounding the right-hand circuit which would make the flasher relay misbehave.
Maybe try testing the bulbs out of the van or swap left for right and see what that does?
The alternative is that the indicator stalk is defective for the right-hand indicator.

But start with testing the bulbs first - eliminate that as the problem.

[zzippyman]

Hi Midlifecrisis, thanks for your quick reply!

I've checked the bulbs are ok - trying with new ones - but I haven't swapped left for right yet, I'll try that now though

What's puzzling me is that when in hazard mode the left hand side indicators don't flash at all but the right hand ones do (albeit dimly), when in indicating left mode they flash normally...weird.

Right, off out to check now... thanks again!

[MidLifeCrisis]

Yeah - I think your right hand side indicator path is providing a much lower resistance path to ground so it is basically hogging all the current ..... (maybe).
While your at it - try removing the right hand side bulbs and test the hazards with the right bulbs removed and see if the lefts flash correctly then?

[zzippyman]

Yep, replaced all bulbs and swapped holders left to right and vice versa - slight change now - the left side indicators work as normal (as before), but the right side bulbs flash very dimly in both indicating and hazard modes, with buzzing noise as before. I cleaned the bulb holders of course

I've not tried hazards with right or left bulbs removed yet though, it does sound like a problem with the right hand side as the left hand side works perfectly...

Thanks again, Tim

[kevtherev]

time to clean the earth points I think

[zzippyman]

time to clean the earth points I think

I think so yes. Apologies for sounding divvy here, but any pointers as to where to start first?

Cheers. Tim

[kevtherev]

all next to the relay plate...according to the haynes, do you have a manual?

[zzippyman]

all next to the relay plate...according to the haynes, do you have a manual?

Hi again Kev, yep, I've got the Haynes manual - if the ones you mean are the "crown earths", then I've checked them and they're clean as a whistle...

[kevtherev]

all next to the relay plate...according to the haynes, do you have a manual?

Hi again Kev, yep, I've got the Haynes manual - if the ones you mean are the "crown earths", then I've checked them and they're clean as a whistle...

OK so you need to check a couple of things
Do you have a multimeter?
you need to find out if this is a power issue, earth issue or a continuity issue.
for continuity earth, put the probe on the bulb holder and another anywhere on the van body (exposed metal)

there are further connections on the relay plate your looking for black/white and black/green.

bulb holder is the usual culprit

[zzippyman]

Hi again Kev, thanks again for your help.

I can get hold of a multimeter, so will try the bulb holder (I suspect that's where the problem lies too, I had to clean the right hand one a fair bit today) before I try the relay plate black/white & black/green connections.

I'll let you know how I get on, but it'll probably be at the weekend now sadly (work does get in the way doesn't it?).

Thanks for your help so far,
Tim

[zzippyman]

Update, have checked with a multimeter and it seems I need to replace the green/black wire - or at least find where it's damaged and repair it. Looks like it goes up to the headlight grill area then across the front to the relay - am I right? It was raining when I was checking, I'll have a better look tomorrow...

Thanks for your help so far guys