Corsa Design 2004 Indicator Going Too Fast

[foxyferret]

Hello, the left turn indicator is going twice the speed it should and no lights are coming on. I have changed the front and rear bulbs this morning but it’s still doing the same. I have not changed the tiny bulb on the side of the car as I didn’t have any. I have also not changed the fuse yet. I am going to go and buy the tiny bulb but if this and changing the fuse does not work, any ideas what may be wrong. Any help appreciated, thanks.

[bhg481]

It could be an earthing problem. The flasher relay detects when a bulb has gone by the change in resistance and increases the flash rate to inform the driver; a failed earth could have the same effect. Did you look at/check the bulbs you replaced? It would be unusual for both front and rear bulbs to fail at the same time, but not impossible.

[donny48]

Indicator speed works on electrical resistance, change the small bulb and all should be ok.

[bhg481]

Are your other lights working normally when you use that indicator? Some indicators earth through other bulbs and they might be flashing dimly in sympathy if there is an earthing problem.

[malagabob]

Normally a earthing problem.

[foxyferret]

All other lights working ok. Waiting for tiny bulb to arrive, if this does not work will check earthing. Many thanks everyone for all your help.

[bhg481]

Have you sorted it, foxy? It would be interesting to know the solution for future reference.

[waterboatman]

The fuse is fine, no need to change it.

As has been said, change the small bulb and all should be well.

[bhg481]

I'm not convinced, boaty. On the one occasion I had a small bulb fail it made no difference to the flash-rate; it's a low-wattage, hence high resistance bulb, so its failure will not be as significant as the 21w main flasher bulbs.

[waterboatman]

Possible. It's certainly not the fuse.

[foxyferret]

The small bulb arrived but made no difference. I can only think now either an earthing problem, the relay or the actual indicator switch on the stork. I am taking it to the garage this morning as I have to get it fixed today. Going on a trip up the A1 this evening and cannot go with one indicator working. I will let you know the result.

[bhg481]

Earthing is favourite on a car that age, foxy. It can't be the relay if the RHS indicators work and, if the switch is faulty, I don't think you'd hear the "ticking" noise.

[foxyferret]

Hello folks, back from the garage. The car was still doing it’s flash or maybe not. The mechanic said he did not think it was the relay because as bhg said, the right indicators were fine. I left it with him and he called to say he had sorted it. I asked him what was wrong and he said difficult to tell. However, he said he had cleaned up all the bolts and checked earth connection, taken off the indicator stork and tested the switch, all ok, checked various wires and cleaned up all connections. So far, everything now working. I asked him what I owed and he said nothing. He said drive it for a week and make sure he had cleared the problem. This is a local garage I have used before so maybe he was being kind to a regular. It looks as though maybe it was just gunk somewhere causing the problem, I will be more vigilant in the future. Thank you for all your helpful suggestions everyone.

[bhg481]

Thanks for coming back to us, foxy. It sounds like it was a dirty/bad connection somewhere and his taking it all apart and putting it back together again has cured it (I've been there). Glad it's all sorted for you.