97 Carina E Leanburn Sli Indicators Problem

[madder]

The indicators have started to act erratically. They only work for a couple of seconds before the clicking stops. Once the clicking has stopped the indicators no longer light up at all. When they stop working, they do not work again for at least 10 minutes, before the exact same thing happens again. The hazards act the same way exactly. I guess it could be the flasher relay fuse? Anyone know where this is located on a 1997 Carina E Leanburn 1.6 petrol saloon? Is it in the fuse box under the bonnet? And which one is it? Thanks.

[madder]

Strongly suspect the flasher relay fuse now and have sourced one on eBay. Thing is I need to check that it is the exact same one as is in my car. Can anyone tell me where these are located in the 1997 Carina E 1.6

[madder]

This is a picture of the flasher relay that is supposed t fit my car.

This is a picture of the facia fuses diagram. But the indicators wouldn't function at all if the 10A fuse from here, labelled ''Turn'' was faulty.

This is a picture of the diagram of fuses located in a box, under the bonnet beside the Battery. There is 15A fuse in here labelled ''Turn''. I swapped it out with the spare 15A fuse and it made no difference.

I have checked all the possible locations for this switch. I took off the steering wheel protection panel and also the facia board behind it and looked around and under and found nothing that looks like the relay in the first picture. I also looked behind the kick spot beside the accelerator and couldn't find the relay switch. The only place I have't checked is behind the hazard button as seen in the next picture.

So I am going crazy trying to find this flasher relay. Can anyone help?

[cal]

Hi,

Have you checked behind the glove box where the ECU is? Depending on the model year, some relays have migrated there. From the above you've obviously checked far driver's side next to the accelerator pedal on the wall so behind the glove box is the only place I can think of...

[madder]

I appreciate the reply Cal. I rang the breakers yard and they reckon it is likely to be beside the steering column, and the clicking noise does appear to be coming from there(on the rare occasions that it does work), but I just couldn't find it. I am either blind or else it is where you say it is. And you know what....that might make sense. I have had some cabling hanging down from under the glove box for a couple of years now! Never messed with it as all was in order, but it seems it might now be worth investigating!! :)

[cal]

I thought you already checked that location as you've mentioned previously...

You've obviously checked where I've circled in red in the photo right? It is tucked in quite deep...

[madder]

Hi Cal. Please excuse my lack of knowledge, but looking at that picture, that looks like the area behind the facia/dash where there is a piece of facia that pops out and there are small fuses? Is that correct? I did look there, but not very, very thoroughly. I saw small red fuses and didn't notice anything large enough to be a relay switch but I cannot be sure.

[madder]

UPDATE: I had the hazard lights on today for a couple of minutes(before I started the car), and they worked for a good long time. The clicking on the switch seemed to be coming from behind the speedometer and petrol display area, where the flashing triangle light appears. Could the relay switch be in there, and if so, how do I get that open?

[cal]

Yes, it is kind of behind the fuse box area. You may need to remove the bottom cover of the dashboard, the one which the bonnet release lever is attached to.

By the way, the vehicle is RHD right?

[madder]

Yes RHD. I did remove the bottom cover of the dash before, but I didn't see anything obvious. Should it be staring me in the face?

[cal]

No, it's not in your face. It's tucked in so you might need to crawl and put your head underneath the dashboard. Having a torch might also help.

[madder]

Thanks Cal. I will take another look so, as I believe that sometimes the relays can be opened up and repaired! But even if it is just to take it out and replace it, that would be great!

[cal]

Yes, you're right, in some instance the relay can be repaired. The common one would be a crack in the soldering. Having said that, it might be just as easy to grab a working one from the breakers.

In any case, good luck!

[madder]

Cal, I found the flasher relay today. I took a chance, put the hazzards on and they stayed on long enough for me to find the switch. I could feel the vibrations of the switch flashing when I touched it. Thing is, it was very well sealed in. I didn't want to force it too much. Should it just plug out? if I pull firmly enough? I'd hate to break the pins of the plug?

[cal]

Well done for locating the relay.

Some have a clip like flap where you press to release whilst others you got to wiggle it up and down, right and left, to pull it out. They are generally firm as you can appreciated, it got to withstand the vibration.

Good luck.

[madder]

Strange thing happened just now. I had to take a 30 minute drive to the city centre, and the indicators worked perfectly every time! :) Maybe when I loosened the relay and then pushed it back in, the pins made better contact? I've a long drive ahead of me later this evening and back again tonight. I guess that will tell me for sure! :) Thanks Cal