Left indicator bulb warning

[The_Orange]

Hello all!

Lately my 2008 Vantage gives a warning message that one of the the left side indicators isn't working. I checked them and they all seem to be working just fine. Occasionally you can hear the indicator relay clicking a bit faster, but overall, everything seems to be working fine.

I did a search on this forum, and found out that it could be that the entire rear unit is on it's way out. Now, I have a few questions regarding this:

- from what i've learned, you can't change the bulbs, since they are all leds (apart from the one on the side i guess?)
- if it should fail, i can change them with the clear DBS lights. But would this require re-programming by the dealer. My car is an early 2008 (i think it was even made in late 2007)?
- Could it be that the problem comes from the front light units? I don't want to change the rear lights with new lights if the problem if in the front

Thanks all!

Edited by The_Orange on Sunday 15th July 20:31

[8Tech]

There is no reprogramming required when replacing the taillights, its a fallacy to get you into paying a dealer to do it.

They are plug and play.

[davek_964]

Have you compared the right and left indicators when you're checking them?

When my rear light was failing and the indicator was sometimes going fast , even when it was working 'normally' it was a lot dimmer than the other side. It wasn't obvious until I used the hazard switch.

[Genie Chaser]

8Tech said:

There is no reprogramming required when replacing the taillights, its a fallacy to get you into paying a dealer to do it.

They are plug and play.

I do believe that on I'm sure its 08my only, a config file is required when fitting clear lamps. Would require double checking with your dealer.

[The_Orange]

Thank you for the replies !

I'll have to check if there is a difference in light between left and right. But could it be related to the front lights? I don't want to pay a lot of money for the rear lights, if the problem is in the front.

Anyway, for now i'll keep driving it until the indicators fail permanently. As i said, so far everything looks ok.

On a side note: has anyone have this happened before: today, i couldn't unscrew the fuel cap

I had to jiggle with it, until it eventually came loose. Weird.

Ah well, English cars. Weird electronic glitches, but bulletproof engines ! My Porsche was the other way around.

[davek_964]

There is a fairly common issue with the fuel flap not opening, but it doesn't sound like that's what you mean. I've not noticed any posts before about being unable to unscrew the cap.

[goddo]

Have you tried checking the indicators when the footbrake is pressed?
This can sometimes cause rear lights to act like Christmas trees, and I am sure we have all seen examples of this on the road.
From memory, the answer can sometimes be as simple as a bad earth connection.

[The_Orange]

Thanks all for the replies !

I checked to see if the light changes when pressing the footbrake, but it doesn't change. The blinkers also seem to be shining very clear, like they are supposed to do. There is no difference between left and right.

Everything seems to be working just fine for now, aside from the occasional warning message and the relay clicking faster.

For now, i'll just keep driving it.

What are the chances that this problem could be related to the front light unit? Or is it always the rear lights that go bad?

And, this may sound like a stupid question, but the message on the dashboard says that the left one is bad. Is it really the left one? Or could it be the right one that is on it's way out, and the computer system glitches and says it's the left one?

Thanks !

[Chris.oOo]

goddo said:

Have you tried checking the indicators when the footbrake is pressed?
This can sometimes cause rear lights to act like Christmas trees, and I am sure we have all seen examples of this on the road.
From memory, the answer can sometimes be as simple as a bad earth connection.

I had the bad earth issue on my 05 vantage. It caused the rear light error and alarm service error to display (they Earth at the same point). The earth stud is behind the nav system, or essentially opposite because yours is passengers side. Little bit fiddly removing the trim, but if you’re handy, it’s only an hours work.

[no1tmorrow]

Old thread but did you ever get it resolved? Driven my new to me 07 V8V twice and now have the left turn bulb warning. I have got it to blink fast a couple times but before I can get out of car and see which isn't working. It starts blinking slow again.

Thanks

[Mr Beaumont]

Would be interested to know too, happened to my DB9 yesterday.
Also is there a way I can remove the bulb error message from the dash?

[cristobalSF]

Press the read button on the dash

[The_Orange]

no1tmorrow said:

Old thread but did you ever get it resolved? Driven my new to me 07 V8V twice and now have the left turn bulb warning. I have got it to blink fast a couple times but before I can get out of car and see which isn't working. It starts blinking slow again.

Thanks

Sorry for this very late reply.

The car has been giving me this warning for 2 years now, and the blinker will go faster, and then back to normal. But as i said, it has been doing this for 2 years now, and to this day, the tail light still works. So, for now, i can live with the faster blinking. When the light dies eventually, i'll replace them with the newer clear lights.

EDIT: i remember reading somewhere that the lights can be in fact repaired. Anyone has a link to that? Or knows how to? Because those lights are very expensive to buy, even second hand.

Edited by The_Orange on Monday 14th September 00:24

Edited by The_Orange on Monday 14th September 00:25

[BassFlyer]

Well Divinatech offer a solution. It is on my to do list (which is not getting shorter).

[AMWoodster]

I have the same issue on my 2007 Aston Martin Vantage V8. About twice per month a message appears on my dash stating that there is an issue with my left turn signal. But upon checking, the turn signals are working fine. Then when I turn off the car & restart it, the message is no longer there. Since a number of us on this site have had the same issue, I expect there is a common cause. Please someone direct me to the exact cause & what needs to be done to correct.

[Leroy007]

Hi all, funny enough mine started doing this yesterday with the right indicator warning. Only does it with lights on. With lights off no problem. Soon as the side lights or head lights are on it does it’s fast flicker game. With rear right indicator failure warning. I’m wondering if it could be a dry connection or moisture on the light terminal. I’ll check later and let you know

[Leroy007]

That quickly changed. Does it with the lights off as well. I just noticed the bloody condensation bks in the corner. I’ve already changed the near side one and it’s very possible the off side one needs doing now. I’ll still try the terminal give it some electrical squirt. Then swop them over if no improvement. I think the cables are long enough to connect without having to push them in as they’ll be the wrong way round. We’ve had heavy rain fall for days now in the uk so it could have been that.

[EVR]

I am going through the ordeal of changing headlights too, will post some details soonish, fingers crossed.

But yeah, shameless plug but this means I might have a headlight I can sell at a nice price. Of course I wish you can resolve this easily and cheaply.

[BiggaJ]

I had a warning on the dash that one of the left indicator bulbs had blown .... flicking the indicator on to turn left made it tick quickly (as though a bulb had blown). upon checking the lights, they all seemed to be working correctly however, I did see some condensation in the rear left light unit meaning water had got in. I have to say I had not noticed it and it was only showing in the reverse light and only a slight misting in the bottom but apparently this is enough to affect the working of the light unit.

Quick call to AHM would reveal its moisture related and to take the light unit out and dry it off then reseal it and refit it. This I am told will sort it out but if not it's a new or used light.

The light has spent an hour in the oven at 110 Deg.C and is now cooling down before getting a check over and the reseal.

Edited by BiggaJ on Thursday 20th May 17:11

[MichaelV8V]

You can have the front and rear lights repaired, much better than buying secondhand replacements, and much cheaper than buying new.

There are ads on ebay and on the Facebook Aston group.

I paid around £300 to IER to get the front LEDs fixed, still working great after 3 years.

The repair to my rear light was £275 from Steve Campbell (advertised on ebay). That's only been on for 2 months, but looking good so far.