Front indicators dead

I have a strange electrical issue with the front indicators, in that neither of them are working at all.  I've checked the fuses and they're all good, the hazard switch and the indicator stalk operates the rear indicators ok, but at a high speed flash (which I would expect if the fronts are not working).  I have pulled the plug to one of the front indicators and with a multimeter I don't appear to be getting any voltage. Both bulbs tested ok too.Is this likely to be the stalk, the hazard switch or the relay itself?  I can certainly hear the relay clicking as the rears are working, and assume the stalk is ok if it is activating the rears.  

First question is?

Did you check the voltage to the Bulbs using the case of the bulb as ground?  If you are missing the ground to the bulb then you won't see any voltage.

If you test the Voltage to the Frame of the car is there voltage?



Most common issue is bad grounds to the socket of the bulb for both lights to be dead.

IF the flasher works all the bulbs, and your turns don't as in both, but the indicator just glows, then you have an issue with the fuse, as there are 2 fuses for the flashers,
one Low as in f2-or 4, and then a higher one that is like f14, or f19.

Since the rears are working and the fronts aren't, the issue is probably not the relay, or the Hazard Switch.

The Hazards, and the Turns share everything save for the turn signal stalk.

If the hazards aren't working on the front either I would look for a bad ground, as that is the common point on Both Bulbs.

IF there is any corrosion on the sockets, then clean that and re-check.

Cheers for the advice Briano.  Both fuses are fine, I do not have the indicator light glowing in the dash.

I have confirmed continuity of the green/black wire from back of hazard switch to the front right +ve connector.
I have also checked continuity from the indicator earth connection (where the brown wire joins to the indicator casing itself) to the battery negative and it also seems fine.  The earth also appears to be common from the right hand indicator to the windscreen washer pump and it is working fine.

I put a 12V connection straight onto a bulb and it lit up fine.  The hazard switch seems a bit iffy to me, if I hover the switch between off and on, then it goes from fast blink to constant buzzing to slow blink.  I've ordered a new Febi Bilstein one to try anyway, because everything else seems ok.

So I still have an issue.  I was able to connect a wire from the front passengers side indicator earth contact to battery negative and got this one to flash correctly, but the same thing didn't work on the drivers side.

I clearly have a dodgy earth on the front indicators.  It's a bit confusing as there are multiple brown wires on the lighting loom.  I have continuity from the earth cable from the black plug to the indicator housing itself, so the fault must be further back.  Does the main loom run through the bulkhead and earth at the claw above the fusebox?  Electrics is not my strong point  

Hi Pistol, on mine which an 89 so may be different the earths are all joined in the loom and go back to the battery(brown wire on negative post) If your headlights and side lights are working ok then I doubt it's an Earth problem. It's hard say without testing. I would check the headlight loom plug on the back of the fuse box. I think it's the yellow one. Unplug it and look for corrosion. If found, disconnect battery and clean terminals using whatever method you can.

the earths for each all end up joined to the main earth to the battery.

often you find the lights all daisy chain around a bit then  you have a single earth per side back to the main earth if that makes sense. so follow the brown for the indicator and see where it goes, check any joints for corrosion and repair if necessary.

the problem with these cars is most of the front end plugs are not sealed, so corrosion builds up. the worst case I foudn was in a mk2 loom where the copper for one of the front indicators had turned to dust for 10mm or so under the insulation. from the outside it looked perfect but when the wire was cut back for repair there was nothing but dashed hopes and dreams for me to try and crimp onto

rubjonny said

 mk2 loom where the copper for one of the front indicators had turned to dust for 10mm or so under the insulation. from the outside it looked perfect but when the wire was cut back for repair there was nothing but dashed hopes and dreams for me to try and crimp onto

Been there on a Main Earth wire to chassis, at the battery it looked great, at the frame it looked great, but 3 inches back under the sheath it was that Baking Soda powered/green….Only found it because I got the no Start when 50 degrees and raining,,,,so under the hood I was a tad bit miffed at the beasty, and I was moving my hands violently in disgust, the Spanner flew out of my hands being wet and cold, fell across the Frame, and landed on the Ground connection, and I saw sparks….
What a "Eureka" moment I had… When I replaced the cable I had a car, and when I cut the sheath off, the OEM cable was about 1/8" the width after I shook all the corrosion off….

now thats a lucky spanner though

rubjonny said

now thats a lucky spanner though

That is why I shake a wrench or hammer to the issue as it scares it into submission…..

Yes I threaten my cars with servicing to make it behave….  Like the Car always runs great when taking it to a Dealer to Trade-in…..


I will freely admit that when I saw the spark, I was like What the hades is that….Grounds don't spark….Then the DOH moment, and the "I've Found it…".

LOL