Indicator failure (sudden)

[Redlotus]

Hi there

I stored my M100 in a very humid garage by mistake. A leaking wall with ground water along with some heat by a boiler caused the problem. When the car came out 2 months later, there was mould on the seats and the indicators did not work.

I think the indicator issue happened before many years ago and by sharply pressing the Hazard Warning light switch on/off a few times, the indicators burst into life.

This time, it has not worked and the Hazards don't work and nor do the indicators

All fuses are OK. I am thinking of changing the indicator relay as it's cheaper than getting out an "auto" electrician as a first step

Can anybody make any suggestions where to look? I am fairly handy with voltage testers, multimeters and I can bypass switches etc

[Saltire]

Well, the first thing to say is that all the wiring diagrams are available through the “Manuals” link at the top of any forum page.

If you look at the one for the indicators, you’ll see that it’s all wired through the hazard switch; there aren’t two separate circuits as such. Given the circumstances you describe, I would suspect corrosion/verdigris/bad contact on one or more of the terminals for the hazard switch, or possibly on the flasher unit itself. If you’re really unlucky, the problem will be inside the hazard switch, which you can dismantle, although watch out because it contains a lot of small pins, springs, etc.

One final thought: if you add your location to your profile, you may find another member local to you who would offer a temporary swap of switch and/or flasher unit, just to try and narrow down the problem.

Hope that helps.

[Redlotus]

Hi Saltire

You motivated me to go out into the garage with my torch 15 mins ago and bash the hazard switch in and out again 20 times and guess what? All fixed!

Well the indicators are fixed but the hazards still don't work but who cares about that? As you say, if I dismantled the switch or even sprayed a load of switch cleaner inside it would probably get everything working again

Thanks a lot - all done! Fantastic Forum

[Tuga2112]

your hazard switch is extremely likely to be rusting all its internals.

i would suggest buying a replacement one "just in case" unless you are like me. and willing to take it apart, clean up all the rust out of the internals and potentially add solder to the thinner metal plates to "rebuild" their original thickness.

[dapinky]

2 things worth a mention - as far as Hazard lights go, the MOT tester will be the person who does care if they work or not! (and also that the light on the switch illuminates when they are on)....

On a more positive note, although the hazard switch itself may appear to be the faulty part (and it may well be) - the biggest failure rate I've known on these cars is not the actual switch, but the connection between switch and socket.

The socket is held in place by 2 very small plastic tabs which click into the fascia panel. Over time, the operation of the switch (pushing it in/out) can cause the socket to come lose and the switch not to seat correctly. The correct operation of indicators, hazards and warning lamp all rely on every one of the many pins on the back sitting right in the socket, and one that doesn't (or is a tad corroded) will mean one or more functions don't work.

Simply pushing the switch assembly in doesn't help as the socket moves back as you push the switch - you need to get your hand in behind it and hold the socket (or push it!) at the same time you push the switch..... it is really easy as long as your fingers are triple jointed and 12" long, otherwise it is a bit of a bugger!!!!!

You can get behind the switch through the radio hole, or maybe up and under from the passenger footwell (or any other method you think may work).

I would suggest that once you work out how to get to it, that you remove the switch, clean up all contacts, give it a squirt of contact cleaner, and then push it fully home into the socket - it could well solve all of your woes for no expense spent.