Club 80-90 Forums

Sods Law I know, but I'm going on holiday tomorrow and my driver's side indicator is lit up solid orange, it stays orange when the key is out of the ignition too, it doesn't flash at all, not even with hazard switch on. Passenger side works fine although goes solid orange when hazard switch is on. I've tried changing the relay for a known good one. Can anyone help please?

Take the bulb out...do the others flash?

ermie571 wrote:Take the bulb out...do the others flash?

Yep, tried that amongst other things - no change, rear stays lit solid

Is it when you are indicating with the stalk or does the indicator stay on regardless of stalk position?

Try unplugging the hazard warning switch.

marlinowner wrote:Try unplugging the hazard warning switch.

Yes, indicator stays on regardless of stalk position, plus stays on with hazard switch taken out too...

My best guess is that there is a problem at the indicator stalk where there is a short circuit between the wiring for the eg the headlight flasher, which is live regardless of ignition switch position, and the wire going to the drivers side indicators.

marlinowner wrote:My best guess is that there is a problem at the indicator stalk where there is a short circuit between the wiring for the eg the headlight flasher, which is live regardless of ignition switch position, and the wire going to the drivers side indicators.

Thanks Marlinowner, I'll try looking at that first thing tomorrow. Sorry for the late reply btw, I had to drive home for the evening and it's too late to do it now - fingers crossed though...

For once it sounds like an electrical problem that may not trace back to a dodgy earth. But no harm cleaning the earth crowns behind the fusebox anyway!

Has it got an alarm fitted that flashes the indicators?

bigherb wrote:Has it got an alarm fitted that flashes the indicators?

Hi Herb, thanks, but no, it's only got a sounder...

LeeME3 wrote:For once it sounds like an electrical problem that may not trace back to a dodgy earth. But no harm cleaning the earth crowns behind the fusebox anyway!

Hi Lee, checked them too, all the crowns got cleaned yesterday... frustrating this one...

zzippyman wrote:

bigherb wrote:Has it got an alarm fitted that flashes the indicators?

Hi Herb, thanks, but no, it's only got a sounder...

Think I would recheck the wiring to the alarm then. The indicator can only come on if it is being powered. The hazard switch changes over the power source for the indicators so if it still stays on with the switch disconnected then power is being applied to the individual indicator circuit, usually from an alarm or previously fitted alarms or additional towbar indicator relays.

I was wondering about towbar electrics as well, its hard to think of how a permanent 12v can get to the indicators on one side. Could try pulling the fuse for the hazards in case there is a problem in the wiring to the hazard switch. Fourth fuse from left?

bigherb wrote:

zzippyman wrote:

bigherb wrote:Has it got an alarm fitted that flashes the indicators?

Hi Herb, thanks, but no, it's only got a sounder...

Think I would recheck the wiring to the alarm then. The indicator can only come on if it is being powered. The hazard switch changes over the power source for the indicators so if it still stays on with the switch disconnected then power is being applied to the individual indicator circuit, usually from an alarm or previously fitted alarms or additional towbar indicator relays.

The alarm wiring got checked yesterday, but the towbar electrics weren't - thanks!

Right, off to have a look at Marlinowner and BigHerb's suggestions - thanks for your help guys, I may be some time...