indicator problem!!

[adam c]

When i have no indicators on my indicator light on the dash flicks like mad!(like there is a bulb out!)but there isnt!but when i put my indicators on it flicks like normal and the bulbs light up.I've checked the fuse and its okay(as it had the same symptons before but it was just the fuse)ive also checked the hazard switch and thats okay:confused:

when i pull the fuse out it stops clicking and there is no indicators and the same with the hazard light switch and the relay?



anyone any ideas??

[meritlover]

sounds like an earth or wiring fault.

check the earth continuity from the pin in the cluster to the body, if there is a closed cirtcuit its fine. then you will have to look elsewhere

did you also check the repeater lamps on the wing?

[Jack]

Filament bulbs all round, no LED bulbs?

[meritlover]

Filament bulbs all round, no LED bulbs?

good point!

unless theres a resistive load in series with them

[adam c]

yeah all filaments!it clicks like i have an indicator out when i have nothing on at all and then when i put the indicators on it clicks at the normal speed

[Clean 2.0 nova]

The bulb in question on a 1991 onwards car (which I assume is yours) is connected to the flashing output of the relay. I shall now explain in my typical fashion how the flasher system works, there are three modes of o/p from the flasher depending on the loading placed on the relay by the bulbs :
1. Minimum loading, dash bulb connected only) - no flashing output.
2. Maximum loading, Indicators on or hazard switch activated - normal flashing output, clicking heard.
3. Medium loading, Indicators on but 1 or 2 bulbs blown - flashing output at fast rate, clicking heard.

So, for your problem it is detecting scenario 1 as scenario 3. A few possibilities, either the loading is higher than normal, caused by slight short circuit on wiring, indicator stalk switch contacts or dash fault. Or loading is fine and the relay itself could be at fault. My recommendation would be to remove stalk switch first and see if problem stops and / or replace relay, then come back with your findings.

Diagram of circuit (doesn't show hazard switch), yes the relay only has 3 connections unless you have a tow bar symbol on dash.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x198/iaingra/indicatorwiring.jpg
On a seperate note, how the system differs from pre 91 nova's is that the flasher output is connected to nothing in its off state. The indicator bulb on the dash in this case is merely wired between the switched positives of the two indicator circuits. I therefore conclude that you know you have this system fitted because your dash bulb will not light up if hazard lights are on (not to mention your in a MK1 Nova!). The bulb's + and -ve therefore get reversed in normal indicating use, relying on the low impedance of the unused bulbs to supply the negative. I wonder if the flasher relay is slightly different between the pre and post facelift models. Maybe if a pre facelift relay is fitted to a newer nova it sees the dash bulb as the loading required to put it into its flashing output state.



Feel free to be confused, Iain

P.S. do I recall your'e from York Adam?

[adam c]

thank you!i'll have a look when ive got a minute:thumb:


p.s no im from near leeds/bradford/huddersfield kinda in the middle of all threelol