Mechanical sympathy for indicators...

[jimxms]

I like to indicate as early as possible when driving, giving the numpties behind me plenty of time to register my intended manouvers. However, on my most two recent of cars the bloody indicators are WAAAY to sensitive at self cancelling.

For example: If I'm approaching a roundabout, I begin indicating right but the road turns slightly to the left and thus the indicators cancel.

I've resorted to holding the indicator in place when I think it's going to cancel which then makes a crunch noise when it tries. Is this going to result in a new indicator stalk in the not-so-distant future?

[SuperchargedVR6]

I think the lug on the steering column / steering wheel that cancels the indicator mechanically can be shaved a little to make it less sensitive, but on modern cars with steering sensors and airbags will open a fault code can of worms if you take the wheel off.

It's an age old problem and I do as you do and just force the indicator up when turning right. Done it for years and never had to replace a stalk yet!

Is it an MOT requirement to self cancel? On one of my old cars I cut the lug off it annoyed me so much and just cancelled manually.

[kambites]

I do the same and have never had an indicator stalk failure.

It does feel horrible though.

[fat freddie]

Citroen CX non self-cancelling rocker switch FTW.

[SuperchargedVR6]

fat freddie said:

Citroen CX non self-cancelling rocker switch FTW.

I like that idea. Back to basics! I think people would be less slothenly at the wheel if they actually had to 'drive' a car. Bring back manual chokes and a squashy pump on the floor next to the accelerator to squirt the windscreen (MK1 Fiesta)

[jimxms]

kambites said:

I do the same and have never had an indicator stalk failure.

It does feel horrible though.

Good to hear. I could just envisage the dealership sniggering as they charge me £2k for removing the steering rack to replace the indicator stalk due to 'abuse', or something crazy like that.

[jimxms]

kambites said:

I do the same and have never had an indicator stalk failure.

It does feel horrible though.

Good to hear. I could just envisage the dealership sniggering as they charge me £2k for removing the steering rack to replace the indicator stalk due to 'abuse', or something crazy like that.

[Harry Flashman]

Toggle switch on the Caterham.

Which I broke at Brands Hatch on Saturday. My friend had to drive the car back to London, in a hailstorm, with no roof and doing arm signals to turn. In the dark.

Nice.

[AJB]

kambites said:

I do the same and have never had an indicator stalk failure.

It does feel horrible though.

My Dad did the same in a W123 Merc which he had from new. After about 140,000 miles the self cancelling wore out when indicating right (it was a right turn into their road which he held down).

[mattnunn]

I wouldn't have thought you'll damage anything.

Don't forget on some cars you don't have to indicate at all, mainly 3 series BM's, Audis, Taxis and the like...