Home
> Spitfire > Electrical Equipment > Blinkies not blinking -
HELP!!!
Anything and everything Spitfire.
Section : Electrical Equipment
Alternators, dynamos, lights, wipers, etc.
Posted By : Paul Douglas, 11-Mar-2004, 03:59pm
My indicators have gone off.
They were working fine yesterday and went a little strange earlier today coming on with just the very slightest of flashes wehter left or right but have
now died! (Both directions).
The bulbs are all okay as the Hazard warning is working and all bulbs functioning okay.
All connections okay that I can see.
Would I be right in suspecting the relay??
Or could there be something else?
Any help would be great
Thanking you all in advance
Paul
Newcastle
-
Posted By : Mark Stradling, 11-Mar-2004,
04:10pm
Don't know what a 'propper' hazzard system is like, but the dodgie after market one a previous owner has fitted has it's own relay.
If yours is similar, you should be able to hot wire it in place of the indicator relay. If they flash properly now, it's the relay.
My indicator problems normally relate to bad earths - normally between the brass bulb side contact and the steel 'clip into rear light cluster' ring -
NEVER a fun job to pick appart and clean. Your lights work fine through the hazzard switch, so doesn't sound like that's your problem.
Do the side lights work? If they have gone too, then it could be the fuse (on same circuit - I'd guess hazzards are too, but you never know).
-
Posted By : Michael Davis,
11-Mar-2004, 04:32pm
Indicators and Hazards are on seperate fuses (one is ignition switched the other isn't) so that's worth checking.
I'd look for a blown fuse, dirty fuseholder or a dodgy connection somewhere between the fusebox and the relay (there shouldn't be many!) or the
connections to the relay itself.
I had a very similar problem just the other day which turned out to be dirty fuse contacts in the fuse box (in my case, the indicators worked but
the hazards didn't)
I can't remember off hand what else works from the same fuse but check for other things not working as well which might give you a clue as to where
to look for the problem.
-
Posted By : Graham Reeks,
11-Mar-2004, 04:46pm
I've got a similar annoying issue with my GT6 but can't trace it yet. The indicators work ok with the engine running, and the lights on, but
are fairly slow, and stop blinking when the brake lights are on as well.
When the engine is not running the hazards work fine, but the indicators do not flash at all!!!
The rear d-side indicator appears dimmer than the rest, so i'm assuming it's either a bad contact on that bulb or somewhere between the switch
and that bulb?
-
Posted By : Paul Bodiam,
11-Mar-2004, 06:26pm
Hi Graham
The dim indicator bulb might be showing that you rear drivers-site light cluster is not properly earthed. The indicator circuit might be
finding route to earth via the tail-light or brake light circuit.
Have you ever followed a rusty old Sierra or Mk3 Escort and watched interesting light-shows when they put the indicators and brakes on?
this is due to the light unit not being earthed properly (a surprisingly common fault on Fords - not so common on Triumphs).
Take the inside cover off your tail-lights and check that the earth connection is properly seated.
cheers
Paul
-
Posted By : Tim Willis,
11-Mar-2004, 08:31pm
Aside from all the usual advice of earth checking etc.
Don't forget the bulb holders in the rear lights (hopeless design)
Check the hazard switch. When off the indicator circuits pass through it and often just after using the hazards you find the indicators
have gone off.
Check the supply to the column switch, esp early stalks can get mucky, or overheat and cause the contacts to sink into the plastic.
However I think the problem in this case is the flasher unit. Even new ones are so poorly made you may get through a few before you get
success!
Tim
Willow Triumph
-
Posted By : Paul Douglas, 11-Mar-2004,
06:10pm
Thanks for the advice, Main fuse box okay will check others.
Just to clarify though, nothing else seems to be a miss. When I say the blinkies are not working the Indicators on the outside of the car are
not working and the dash indicator is not illuminating either.
Also for info mine is a 1500 1978.
Keep the advice coming if you have any more.
Thanks Again
Paul
Newcastle
-
Posted By : Paul Bodiam, 11-Mar-2004,
06:12pm
Hi Paul
I would suspect a problem with your flasher unit. From the failure you describe I think the flasher has died (part number GFU2124 on a 1500), although
you may just have a bad connection on it.
It works by having a little wire get hot, which causes a bi-metal plate to flex, breaking the circuit. The wire then cools down again and the plate
flexes back again, allowing current to flow and causing the wire to get hot....
After several million cycles, either
i) metal fatigue sets in
or
ii) the wire burns out
and it stops working.
The hazard lights are on a completely different circuit and use a different flasher unit. When you put the hazard lights on, the normal indicator
circuit is disconnected and the hazard circuit is connected to the indicator lights instead. (that is why there are so many wires going to the hazard
light swith behind your dashboard).
Hope this helps
Paul
-
Posted By : Paul Douglas, 11-Mar-2004,
08:15pm
Hi Paul
Thanks a lot, not with the sound reasoning of you but that is what I had suspected.
Thanks again.
Paul
Newcastle
PS: If you are interested in my pursuit of an answer found an excellent wiring diagram at www.triumphspitfire.com go to information section,
reference and wiring, full colour. It is an American site but diagram works out fine.
-
Posted By : Paul Douglas, 12-Mar-2004,
12:53pm
Hi Everyone
Problem solved with new Flasher unit!!
Thanks again for all your help.
Many Thanks
Paul
Newcastle