Indicator problem

Big Chris

Big Chris

Big Chris

Soldato
Joined
5 Apr 2004
Posts
5,461
Location
Bloxham
I thought my rear near-side indicator bulb had gone, given that it's not flashing, but having just replaced the bulb, it's still not working. I've tried both the bulbs in the 2-pack (and they're definitely the correct bulbs) and having checked the bulb I took out it looks perfectly ok so I'm guessing it's an electrical fault?

Is this gonna be painful?
 
Most obvious is that it's probably a fuse or something failing that perhaps the lamp itself has gone pop.
 
It's not massively important, but did you check the filament on the original blub?

It's probably just a broken wire some where. Shouldn't be too painful, in fact perfectly doable yourself if you know the difference between the red and black leads on a muti meter and don't think a 'soldering iron' is used on clothes :p.
 
It's a '99 Mk1 Focus.

I wouldn't know where to start with things of an electrical nature so I'll leave that to the pro's if required.

The bulb that came out looked fine, the filament wasn't broken that I could see.
 
Check the contacts in the bulb holder, I have seen a few cars where they corrode and the repeater doesn't work - wiggle the bulb about firmly in the holder and see if it flickers into life at all.
 
I tried giving it a wiggle but it made no difference.

Weirdly, I had my MOT done less than 2 weeks ago and since then it's developed a hole in the exhaust and now this indicator!
 
Does it still tick?
I had a similar issue on my old Mk1 Focus and from what I recall the relay had gone.
Not sure if it's a common issue on them, but if it's the same as mine it was £100 or so to sort out at a local garage.
 
Sounds like the relay is fine (it is ment to flash faster when a bulb is out) - you have a break in the wires to the indicator somewhere.

happens often with trailers at work for me. :(
 
Naah, a few beer tokens toward anybody who knows their way around cars & that'll most likely be sorted.

You must have a friend who's into cars & DIY? - I'm damn sure I'd sort it in minutes - shame I'm miles from you.

Broken / rusty connector is my bet.
 
Oh ok, sweet. The chap who does the servicing on my car is a friend of my Old Man and is usually very reasonable so I'll get him to take a look.

Cheers :)
 
Big Chris said:
Oh ok, sweet. The chap who does the servicing on my car is a friend of my Old Man and is usually very reasonable so I'll get him to take a look.

Cheers :)
Click to expand...

Let us know what it was (I hate it when threads like this die without the end result! :o) :)
 
Sorted! Popped up there on my lunchbreak, chap came straight out to have a look - top bloke.

Turns out the connection that meets the underside of the bulb in the plastic housing was sitting a little low. He bent it back up slightly and the bulb came straight back on, and gave it a good wiggling to make sure it's safe & sound, which it is. I tried jiggling the bulb when I played with it the other day and it made no difference, guess that's what makes him a mechanic!

Chuffed it didn't cost me anything, and I have two spares now for when the bulbs do eventually go pop :).
 
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