Indicators failed
Indicators failed
Author
Discussion

Poopaconk

Original Poster:

35 posts

249 months

Sunday 24th September 2017
quotequote all
Hi,

Another newbie question. Today my indicator and hazards have totally failed on my brand new 360. I've tried checking the fuses but they don't seem to match the layout in the handbook. There seems to be a column of 18 fuses and four relays. Anyone know which protects the indicators?

SantaBarbara

3,244 posts

128 months

Sunday 24th September 2017
quotequote all
Poopaconk said:
Hi,

Another newbie question. Today my indicator and hazards have totally failed on my brand new 360. I've tried checking the fuses but they don't seem to match the layout in the handbook. There seems to be a column of 18 fuses and four relays. Anyone know which protects the indicators?
Has one of the bulbs failed?

Poopaconk

Original Poster:

35 posts

249 months

Sunday 24th September 2017
quotequote all
SantaBarbara said:
Has one of the bulbs failed?
Don't know, if one bulb blows will the all fail? All I do know is I flicked the switch to activate and I got a short beep then nothing...

downsman

1,099 posts

176 months

Sunday 24th September 2017
quotequote all
If it is the old style dash, the hazard switches aren't reliable, and I have read several reports of indicator problems Being cured by switching the hazard switch a few times.

Also check the relay isn't loose up behind the dash.

Poopaconk

Original Poster:

35 posts

249 months

Sunday 24th September 2017
quotequote all
I guess it's the old/traditional style but in a new car. I have switched the hazards on and off a few times but nothing. Relays appear fitted.

It would help if Caterham would up update the handbook showing the current arrangement so I'd know which fuse to check, without dragging them all out.

tomwoodis

570 posts

204 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Whilst that's true, I'd be taking each of them out and having a look to see if any have blown. Also take each relay out and plug them back in. Things can work loose.

I also had slight corrosion on one of my headlight bulbs at one point which was causing my headlight fuse to blow repeatedly. I had similar with the rear fog light just last week so this seems a common theme.

Check all fuses, then check all the wiring to see if you've a loose connection somewhere.

PiersR

109 posts

176 months

Monday 25th September 2017
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This is a well known problem. Switch the hazard warning switch off and on a number of times and see what happens.

Piers

CanAm

12,419 posts

292 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
PiersR said:
This is a well known problem. Switch the hazard warning switch off and on a number of times and see what happens.

Piers
"This is a well known problem". Reading all other posts to the end before adding your own is a good idea biggrin (See two above yours). HTH (We all do it!)

Poopaconk

Original Poster:

35 posts

249 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Well, I've found the 10amp indicator fuse and replaced it (twice) and each time it's blown again. The relays seem fully home and all bulbs look fine.


CanAm

12,419 posts

292 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
OP, you say this is a brand new car. Have you referred to the supplier?

tomwoodis

570 posts

204 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
If the fuse keeps blowing each time you replace it then that suggest you have a bad connection somewhere on one of the indicators.

I had the same problem with the rear fog light just recently. Each time I replaced the fuse, turned it on and I blew another fuse.

After dismantling the fog light, I found there was a poor connection on one of the wires. Soldered it back on again and hey presto no more problems.

In your case, there's quite a few connections to check but I'd be going around each corner of the car and look carefully at the wiring. Taking them all apart and reconnecting them would be a good idea as you may well find a problem whilst you do so. My bet is loose connection or corrosion on a connection somewhere that's causing it to blow.


tomwoodis

570 posts

204 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
Might also be worth taking one of the bulbs out of the circuit one at a time until the fuse stops blowing. Appreciate you may get few a few fuses but hopefully you can isolate it to the offending indicator that's causing the issue.

Poopaconk

Original Poster:

35 posts

249 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
CanAm said:
OP, you say this is a brand new car. Have you referred to the supplier?
Not this particular issue (yet). I have communicated other concerns/issues and the response has effectively been "I'm very sorry, but your local authorised deLer will sought it" not impressed to be honest, discression prevents me from typing what I actually think...

Poopaconk

Original Poster:

35 posts

249 months

Monday 25th September 2017
quotequote all
tomwoodis said:
Might also be worth taking one of the bulbs out of the circuit one at a time until the fuse stops blowing. Appreciate you may get few a few fuses but hopefully you can isolate it to the offending indicator that's causing the issue.
Would this work as it might make investigation a lot easier for a few pence on fuses? I've only given the units a cursory look over and couldn't see anything obvious.

tomwoodis

570 posts

204 months

Tuesday 26th September 2017
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I used a similar strategy when my headlights were playing up a couple of years ago. Once you narrow it down to a particular light/bulb you can then look more closely at the bulb itself and the connections to it.

It's well worth trying to narrow down where the issue is else you'll be guessing.

As you say, buy a pack of cheap fuses and give it a go.

Once you've found the corner / light at fault. Start with looking at the bulb itself and the connections directly to it. Then work your way back towards the fuse box checking all connections you find along the way.

I've always found taking things apart and putting them back together will often fix an issue like this as you'll either find the problem as you go or inadvertently fix it along the way anyhow.

it may just be a poor connection somewhere.

CanAm

12,419 posts

292 months

Tuesday 26th September 2017
quotequote all
Poopaconk said:
Not this particular issue (yet). I have communicated other concerns/issues and the response has effectively been "I'm very sorry, but your local authorised deLer will sought it" not impressed to be honest, discression prevents me from typing what I actually think...
To be fair, that is the response I would expect from any manufacturer; the local dealer is the port of call for warranty work.

Of course with Caterhams you don't always have a dealer just round the corner and I appreciate you are trying to fix this irritating little problem yourself.

Poopaconk

Original Poster:

35 posts

249 months

Tuesday 26th September 2017
quotequote all
CanAm said:
Poopaconk said:
Not this particular issue (yet). I have communicated other concerns/issues and the response has effectively been "I'm very sorry, but your local authorised deLer will sought it" not impressed to be honest, discression prevents me from typing what I actually think...
To be fair, that is the response I would expect from any manufacturer; the local dealer is the port of call for warranty work.

Of course with Caterhams you don't always have a dealer just round the corner and I appreciate you are trying to fix this irritating little problem yourself.
You could well be right. However most of my issues could and should have been addressed prior to my collection. Frankly I haven't time to chase around getting a new car fixed nor should I have to wait over a month for the car to go into my local dealer. These are expensive items so it's not unreasonable to expect a good standard of service.