Indicator relay?

[mginty]

Hi, I'm not very good at the tech side of things but am wondering whether I have a relay problem with my indicator. Most times (but not all - normally works fine when I've asked someone to look at it!) I use it it sticks on - ie does not flash. From memory it seems if I flip the hazards on it seems to reset it but I may be just imagining it.
Some further info - the actual indicator lenses are cracked in places so could be letting water in and I cannot seem to get the indicator housing to firmly attach to the steering column.
Any thoughts on how to troubleshoot this and how do I reoplace the relay?
thanks

 

[ProfessorWheeto]

Ok,

Does sound like it could be a dodgy relay.
Well the Indicator relay only controls the flash for your turn signals. The hazard switch has its own built in flasher mechanism.
The cracked lenses letting water in would only make the bulbs earth out or get a poor connection and not work, it wouldn't affect the relay.
The indicator arm does need playing with a bit to get it to the point where it can lock down firm on the column, it may need moving slightly up or down.

With the relays they plug in to the bottom of your fusebox, however you can no longer buy the correct size relays for early vans so you will get supplied with later model ones.

I fitted my late relays here as a trial, I ended up pulling the corresponding wires from the back of the fusebox, plugging them directly onto the new relays and then securing the relays behind the dash.

I think sometimes its also possible to dismantle your original relays and clean the contacts up which might get them working again.

 

[K@rlos]

I've dismantled the headlamp relay on my bus and got it working :mrgreen: and my indicator relay is off a old land rover which i found in the stores at work

 

[mginty]

ok thanks - will have a dig around then and see about dismantling them 1st - I guess they can just be cleaned up with wirewool and is there any sort of contact lubricant I might need?
...got the MOT coming up soon although last time they worked when the tester was there!

 

[Araon]

use a fibre glass brush and a small piece of emery on the contact faces

 

[noddy]

Or buy spray contact cleaner from maplins, what ever you do dont use wire wool if will leave conductive dust in you relay that will probably kill it.
Or get modern relays from http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/relays/flashers.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Bookwus]

Hiya mginty,

If we are talking original turn signal relays here your turn signal relay should look like this............

As the good professor noted, this relay (a 211 953 215C) plugs into the top of the fuse box along with the headlight dimming switch and the alarm buzzer. Now, as I understand your post, your relay (assuming here that it is a 215C) sometimes does not blink. If this is the actual case, know this.................215Cs fail in this manner. However, they can (and often do) go on for years in this mode of sometimes blinking and sometimes not blinking the dash indicator. I have one in my Bug that is in this mode. It often fails to blink after it has successfully signalled 7 or 8 times. Do be aware that your actual outside indicator lamps are blinking even if the dash indicator is not.

My advice? If indeed the outside indicators are blinking, just let the situation go for the moment. In the meantime find a 215C replacement at a VW show or swap meet. They are pretty common and do not cost much. Or you could buy an aftermarket replacement. That will require a little wiring on your part but it is a do-able kind of job.

 

[mginty]

Thanks for all the replies. It def seems to be the relay then as it does flash with the hazards but not with the indicator. It's not the dash light that not's flicking - I got used to that ages ago and I seem to recall our old family bug used to do that to - or only one of the dash indicators work

Will have a go at the indicator this weekend.
Cheers

 

[Doris]

I had the exact symptoms described by bookwus! I managed to get a NOS one from 'vwrobert' on thesamba.... hope this helps!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?submit=yes&keywords=&type=text&stype=all&username=vwrobert&yearfrom=&yearto=&pricefrom=&priceto=&model%5B%5D=&section%5B%5D=&wanted=show&zip=&zipdist=0&state%5B%5D=&usaregion=&country=&sort=date&sort_order=DESC&submitButton=Search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[mginty]

ok, I've removed the relays (and think I may have snapped one of the fuse holders :roll: ) and taken the black plastic cover off. Now, what do I clean?
The contacts that plug into the fuse box seem ok however on the circuit board (protected side) I can see what I guess is rust? Sort of rust coloured residue anyway that flakes off. Could this be the problem? I've also noticed a brown powder residue at the other end where there are a couple of cylinder shaped components Unfortunately I don't have a camera at the moment so cannot post any pics...
Any tips please?
Thanks