'97 Indicator issue.

[Redjon72]

Hi all, my first post on this forum. Really impressive site and has already been very helpful, but.....
I acquired a 406 2.0 turbo exec as a freebie. Lovely car with all the creature comforts. It's almost ready for MOT having spent many hours fettling bits and pieces. I have one issue remaining - The drivers side indicators are all on permanently. I have read through this section and found a few possible solutions.
1 - Indicator stalk - I have replaced this and the issue is still there, the indicators all still light up even without the stalk plugged in!
2- Hazard warning light switch - I'm going out this week to source one of these so watch this space
3 - Indicator relay - I'd try replacing this but cannot find the thing, also, the passenger side indicators work fine so could this rule the relay out?

Other than these few options I'm stuck.
If any of you have any suggestions for other possible solutions I would appreciate your input.
TIA.

[lozz]

Hi welcome to the forum,


Hard to guess but faulty, Hazard switch sounds possible,

[Redjon72]

Would a 'BSI reset' be of any benefit to me here? I have read the procedure and my only problem with doing it is I don't have a remote button on my keys. Is this step a vital part of the procedure for resetting the BSI?

Also, by way of an update, I have removed the hazard switch and am going to source one in the next day or two. The indicators down the drivers side are still on though. Could this in itself rule out the hazard switch as the thing is no longer connected?

TIA.

[lozz]

ithink you might be lucky,

i dont think youve got a bsi on a 97 -thats d8 territory
icouid be wrong tho,


edit: Forgot to ask,
does your car have or had towbar fitted ?

[jonsowman]

97 is definitely a D8. I had an issue with the drivers side indicators not working at all on my D8, but replacing the indicator stalk sorted it.

Do the passenger side indicators all work as expected? If so I think this rules out the flasher relay, so the problem must be "downstream" of that. Haynes reckons it then goes to the indicator stalk, then through a "common connector", and then to the light assemblies.

It would help to follow the cabling with a multimeter, starting at the stalk. That should help track down where the fault is.

[lozz]

Does the D8s have the parking light feature like d9 etc,

if so iwonder if the stalk is fubard -back feeding to indicators, perhaps,

iwouid unplug connector on indicator stalk -see what happens,

[Redjon72]

I have replaced the stalk with no effect. The indicators on the drivers side all light up even with the connectors pulled out the back of the stalk.
I do have a tow bar fitted - would the wiring on that have an effect?

Yes, the flashers on the passenger side work fine. When I turn the hazards on though, there is no flashing - just all indicators on permanently. My mate is at the scrappy as I type getting a hazard switch, relay and another stalk - just to rule out all of these possibilities.

Thanks again for your help so far guys. Determined to get this thing back on the road - It's too nice a car to let go.

[Redjon72]

Bit of an update and a plea for more help....

Changed hazard switch. indicator stalk and a bunch of relays - no change.
I've found all the wiring for the tow bar and all appears ok. There is a little black box wired in called 'flashmaster' - anyone know if these are prone to failure?

Now for the odd bit - I put the battery on charge last night (brand new I might add) and the charger is showing it's pulling six amps! Checked this morning - still pulling six amps! So, I've disconnected the battery completely and put it back on and the charger barely registers any charge being required by the battery! I'm by no means an electrics expert, but this seems very wrong. Could it suggest a short somewhere? Or a bad earth?

Really stuck now so any help you can offer would be very much appreciated.

Again, TIA.

[Redjon72]

Update to the update......

Something quite miraculous has occurred!!!

Having completely disconnected the battery and charged it for an hour or so, I connected it all back up again. Guess what! No indicators on permanently!! They respond to the stalk and flash as they should and hazards work!

I think I have found a very rare and beautiful thing - A 406 that mends itself!!!

In all seriousness though - could this have anything to do with the ECU? Have I 're-booted' it by any chance?

I've left it on charge anyway, while I go to work so will see what happens tonight. If it's all systems go, I will get it in for it's MOT this week (which will be a nervous hour or so) and have it on the road to see what else can go wrong!

Thanks for your help so far everyone. Wish me luck!!

[lozz]

couid of just been the battery,

sometimes alow battery can play havoc,
ive had cars start up on the key but central locking gone crazy or gremlins with lights,

keep starting it everyday, keep on top of the battery

[Redjon72]

Further update......

Had it out for a run today having put all the bits and pieces of trim back together. Drives lovely. No unpleasant noises from anywhere so It's booked in for MOT on Monday.
Only worrying thing is that it feel like the Turbo wasn't working. I know it's a low pressure turbo, but I expected to feel it pull a bit!!! Anyway, MOT first then worry about that later.
No doubt I'll be posting in another section in the not too distant future!

Thanks again to everyone who offered advice through my struggles.

[Busman]

Further update......

Had it out for a run today having put all the bits and pieces of trim back together. Drives lovely. No unpleasant noises from anywhere so It's booked in for MOT on Monday.
Only worrying thing is that it feel like the Turbo wasn't working. I know it's a low pressure turbo, but I expected to feel it pull a bit!!! Anyway, MOT first then worry about that later.
No doubt I'll be posting in another section in the not too distant future!

Thanks again to everyone who offered advice through my struggles.

I'd not worry about the tubo to much yet. Make sure its had a proper service, oil, filters etc. and then give it some work, a good run and let it get used to being driven again.
Fingers crossed for the MOT, get that done and use it, and see what happens with the turbo once you've driven it for a few hundred miles.

[Busman]

Further update......

Had it out for a run today having put all the bits and pieces of trim back together. Drives lovely. No unpleasant noises from anywhere so It's booked in for MOT on Monday.
Only worrying thing is that it feel like the Turbo wasn't working. I know it's a low pressure turbo, but I expected to feel it pull a bit!!! Anyway, MOT first then worry about that later.
No doubt I'll be posting in another section in the not too distant future!

Thanks again to everyone who offered advice through my struggles.

I'd not worry about the tubo to much yet. Make sure its had a proper service, oil, filters etc. and then give it some work, a good run and let it get used to being driven again.
Fingers crossed for the MOT, get that done and use it, and see what happens with the turbo once you've driven it for a few hundred miles.

[Redjon72]

Update on the MOT.

Had it in last week. Failed on rear indicator bulbs, Handbrake nearside, Rear centre seatbelt missing (apparently it's listed to check so whoever removed it is going to burn in hell cos it's cost me a replacement seat back!) and major gas leak from exhaust which wouldn't allow the emissions test complete.

Taking into account its 15 years hold and pushing 200,000 miles, I thought this was blooming marvelous!!
The test guy said it was mint underneath and looked like it had had break pipes and suspension components fairly recently.

Back in for retest on Friday once I've bodged the exhaust up then I'm on the road next week!!!

Thanks to all you guys who helped with my electrical issues (turns out it was a low battery after all!)

If my experience can be of any help to anyone in future, I will gladly share my (limited) knowledge.