LH indicator not working

[SteveOS3]

Some days the LH indicator works fine, others it just flashes at double speed like the bulb is gone. The bulbs are fine, cleaned all contacts but still intermittent.

It doesn't seem to be weather or temperature dependent as it's worked in rain and cold then stopped, then started, then stopped........

Is this another sign of the famous burnt out yellow connector?

I have an MOT due soon and don't want to rely on luck to get through.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[tvrgit]

Unlikely to be the yellow connector.

I suspect the earth - it's a flimsy bit of wire soldered to the bulb casing, and is guaranteed to rust through.

I would take the lens off, and check the live and earth with a meter. If that's definitely ok, check the bulb. If that's ok, it could be the indicator relay.

[Barkychoc]

Look also at the white (well they were once!) plastic connectors under the bonnet that connect the main wiring to the wiring under the bonnet - there is one each side and they are not waterproof, you'll probably find if you seperate them they are all green and corroded.
Be prepared for them to fall to bits and need replacement when you do this.

Someone suggested waterproof connectors but I can't remember which type, I'm sure there's something on useful links.

[tvrgit]

Barkychoc said:

Someone suggested waterproof connectors but I can't remember which type, I'm sure there's something on useful links.

I replaced mine, there's something on my web site about them but I can't remember when I did it - August / September 2007 I think.

I think they were "sureseal" or something like that. Very easy to fit.

[mep12345]

Are you sure the bulb is ok (including making proper contact with the holder) - I had a similar problem on my Mercedes once when the bulb failure light would light for a few seconds then go out, took me ages to trace it to a defective number plate bulb where the filament was broken but it would remain in contact most of the time and only occasionally come away when jolted, lighting the bulb failure light. This meant that whenever I stopped to check the lights they were all working.

[page3]

Barkychoc said:

Look also at the white (well they were once!) plastic connectors under the bonnet that connect the main wiring to the wiring under the bonnet - there is one each side and they are not waterproof, you'll probably find if you seperate them they are all green and corroded.
Be prepared for them to fall to bits and need replacement when you do this.

Someone suggested waterproof connectors but I can't remember which type, I'm sure there's something on useful links.

The white connector on mine is temperamental. If I waggle it everything works again for a few weeks - or until I go over a pothole. I either need to fix it, or perhaps just put a BMW badge on the bonnet

[jimed]

I have replaced the front light connectors at the bonnet hinges on my S3C with the ordinary blue bullet ones. They are behind the inner wheelarches so aren't too badly exposed but I have given them a good spray with some red spray grease and tied them back oput of the way - that helps to keep the wet out and solved all the little light niggles that seemed to happen from time to time.
Jim

[wiz 1]

Had exactly the same problem with the indicator, have cleaned up the connector but it still fails occasionally. Having problems with the headlights as well at the moment so just bought a set of four waterproof connectors off ebay.

[SteveOS3]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I rechecked all of the bulb holders and bulbs but it made no difference so took the passenger inner wheel arch off and wiggled the wires dangling around to the side of the radiator..... problem solved. There were two spade connectors taped up with insulating tape that was peeling away. I stripped the tape, cleaned the connectors, though there was no sign of water ingress, and re-taped for now. I'll look at getting some waterproof connectors when budgets allow!

Thanks again for the advice.

Steve

[Wiz]

Hi Steve got some connectors of ebay which i initially regretted. After searching the net found these instructions Klicky which made them a good job. The long nose pliers worked better than the crimp tool i had as well.