Indicator stalk problem.

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 7:03 pm

Just replaced the indicator stalk on my BX estate as the old one was playing up. Indicators would only work when they wanted and jiggling the stalk about got them to go, though it`s bloody annoying. Replaced the stalk with a spare and guess what? It`s started to do it again! Any ideas please?

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:12 pm

all the indicators run through the hazards switch, i reckon thats what will be at fault! Only thing is it s bloody fragile bugger so go slowly and carefully!

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:33 pm

Hi I also had same problem replaced the stalk which didnt fix it in the end all my indicators failed so after a frantic afternoon looking at bulbs and fuses I ended up replacing the hazard switch which cured the problem

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:40 pm

Cheers fellas, after the day I`ve had that`s good news.

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:54 pm

The easy option is to replace the switch dont try and take it to bits I did and ended up with bits of brass and springs everywhere and the plastic clips snapped as well

Stewart (oily!) · Post by **Stewart (oily!)** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 4:43 pm

Many electrical mysteries have been solved by adding an extra earth cable between the engine and body, I generally fit one when I get a new BX
Stewart

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:38 pm

Thanks Stewart, anywhere in particular on the engine or just somewhere with a suitable hole?

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:02 pm

Its the braided strap from battery clamp bracket bolt to the gearbox earthing bolt that is meant to do this.
Often you'll find some green remnants of the strap under both boltheads.
Get a ready made (black) battery cable some 1ft long, with cable eyes 8mm hole both ends.

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:41 pm

I went though just about all of the above with an indicators/hazards problem, and eventually called in a 'tron (Tom). In the end it proved to be due to the multistrand ribbon cable running front-rear, which had become chafed due to some of my more enthusiastic boot loading-up and was spontaneously earthing.

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 6:42 pm

Thanks Anders. I have been out and replaced the hazard switch just now (thank God for the mountain of spares I got with the car!). As I was fitting it I tested it and it worked great. Put it into the dashboard and I bet I don`t have to tell you what happened?
You`ve guessed it, naff all. Took it out, put it back in (more carefully this time!) and it`s working now.
The acid test will come tonight when I take `er indoors to work........

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 8:48 pm

B*ll*cks, guess what? Packed up again and frequent messing about with the hazard switch hasn`t done much. Had a quick look at the earthing strap which LOOKS o.k but I`ll get the one off my scrap Maestro and have two on the BX. I know the o/s/r light unit was playing up as Vanny gave it a quick bang to get it to work when we went to look at the car and it`s thought that the bulb holders and/or earth maybe dodgy.
I`m trying to keep my patience at the moment but can`t do without indicators!

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:45 pm

with the 'fonz' method having been used on the O/S ligth it will just be corrosion on the bulb! Might be worth pulling them all out and having a check?

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 11:06 am

DLM wrote:I went though just about all of the above with an indicators/hazards problem, and eventually called in a 'tron (Tom). In the end it proved to be due to the multistrand ribbon cable running front-rear, which had become chafed due to some of my more enthusiastic boot loading-up and was spontaneously earthing.

Is that a replacement job or can I fabricate some sort of bodge would you know? Cheers.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:18 pm

Lift the carpets and follow multiribbon cable on LHS of the floor. Quite often it is chafed right under the seat squab.
Or the multiplug is a green-corroded mess behind LHS rearlamp cluster

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:42 am

Thanks, I will be trying that when I get 5 minutes.