indicator headlamp hell

[tee3peeo]

1985 1.9 DG 14" syncro

Help please - gone from mot pass 2 weeks ago to light switch hell.

With lights off, the indicators work properly.
With parking lights on, left or right indicator selected, no front indicators work but both front parking lights flash. All rear lights work properly.
With hazards on - no indicators but both parking lights flash. All rear lights work properly.
With dip main beam selected - no headlamps but front indicators stuck on - if I then select left indicator this flashes but the right stays lit. If I select right indicator this flashes but the left stays lit. All rear lights work properly.

With full beam selected, again no headlamps but the indicators work as before for dip.

Any guidance suggestions gratefully received,

Zeb

[tonytech]

This is a classic earthing fault.
Check and clean the earth crowns under the dash near the fusebox.
terminals can get corroded as can the junction between the crown and the bodywork.

[tee3peeo]

ok thanks Tonytech - I will check that tomorrow. I've got the early style fusebox and the earth crown was in pretty good shape when last I checked. There is an earth point at the base of the steering column that is more prone to corrosion - I will check. In your experience could this be caused by the indicator switch itself?

cheers
Zeb

[Sir Brixalot]

When I had problems with my lights (weird problems but I cant remember exactly the symptoms) it proved to be the ignition switch. Quite an easy fix but check the earths first!

[tee3peeo]

thanks sir brixalot

[tee3peeo]

so - cursory look at the earth crown (nearside behind dash) and it looked ok, but closer inspection revealed fine dusting of corrosion on the inside of some of the terminals - replaced all the terminals and cleaned the crown. Headlamps all working correctly now - exactly as Tony Tech predicted