frigidmonkey

my signals only work sometimes and not others. When they do come on, they always flash. I have no idea where to even start trying to find the problem. Any suggestions on what I should look for?
Thanks

Felgar

Since they are always flashing for you (if they work) I'd guess the switch unit is the problem. There are contact points in the switches that can get corroded. Has the actual signal lever changed in the 'feel' of how it moves at all? That may be a sign of a bad switch too.

I recommend removing the switch to test it. Remove the steering wheel and the cover behind it. Then you can unhook the electrical connectors, loosen the switch mechanism (it comes in one unit) and then pull it out. Then examine the switch for obvious corrosion, etc. Once you figure out how the turn signal part of the switch works (which may require some disassembly but it's actually simpler than you'd think) then you can reconnect the connectors while holding the switches and observe the switch action, whereupon you can hopefully spot the issue.

Oh, another way to confirm if the switches are to blame would be to use the hazard switch. If it works reliably then the rest of the system is probably ok which then points back to the switches.

H4Inf

Mmmm I too have some intermittent problems on the collumn. My indicators used to be like that too, I found that the wiring had become old and the casing broke off, it must have been shorting out, so I taped it all up and its working again. My high beam lock switch has failed though, probably coroded. Need a steering wheel puller to get to that.

One query. Are the indicators meant to remain on, even when you have turned off the car? Mine do, and it just seems weird that they continue flashing after turning everything off and removing the key.

I also have intermittent problems with the warning bells which indicate you have left the lights on when you turn the ignition to off. Sometimes they work, sometimes they dont. I've tried tapping the collumn casing and wires and havent been able to get them to start/stop, so I'm not sure where to look for this.

Hope I didn't hijack this thread too much =)

frigidmonkey

the switch feels the same as it usd to. And the hazards don't work either :[ then again, I don't know if they EVER did, hehe

H4Inf

Look under the dash... (pretty awkward)... but between the steering collumn and the sidewall, there will be a little flasher relay unit. Mines circular, but ive read some are square and mounted to something. May be a little black box. Maybe check connections on that and failing that, get it replaced perhaps.

I wouldn't rule out the switches though... but considering both hazards and indicators fail, then its more likely to be the flasher relay.

All the best,

Brianhsval

Yes, the black box, (flasher unit), is over next to the clutch, and up. 4 nuts. 12mm IIRC. Bit akward to get out, but not to bad. Take it apart and re-solder the joints. This is also where the buzzer, or bell is located.

frigidmonkey

I've got a parts car, so I could just pull the flasher out of that

frigidmonkey

I changed the flasher unit. I know the signals worked in the parts car when I parked it, so I can be pretty sure that the flasher is good. BUT, still no signals. I'm going to pull the switches out tomorrow and swap them and see what happens, at the very least i'll be able to fix the horn button while I've got the wheel off, LOL
still not sure why the hazards dont work, but like I said, I dont know if they ever did, I'll go ahead and swap that switch out while I'm at it and go from there. If that doesnt do it, I guess its a wiring issue?