Help - C5 Failed MOT!!

[Vette78]

Hello all,

I'm hoping somebody will be able to give me some help as I need to get my 98 C5 through it's MOT and it failed on Saturday!

There are two problems: (1)hopefully easy to resolve - needs new brake pads - but you might be able to point me to the best type and place to buy them?

(2) The real issue, it failed on it's right indicators flashing too fast. All indicators on the right hands side are flashing, and the bulb inside the dash, but they're just flashing about 2x the normal speed. The left hand side and hazards are fine.

Has anyone got any idea what could be wrong, or where I need to look? Normally this only happens if a bulb goes but there doesn't appear to be any bulbs out! (The air-con display is dodgy too - very faint or not showing quite often - could this be associated?)

Any help would be REALLY appreciated. Please bear in mind when responding that i'm no electrical engineer...

Much appreciated,

Chris

[te51cle]

I got some EBC Red Stuff pads through their UK main dealer Sejoc in Tilbury (01375 846401). Green Stuff pads would be just as good if you're not a track day enthusiast. The price was good and they produce MUCH less dust than OE pads.

Not sure about the indicator problem if front, rear and side markers are all flashing OK. A problem with a relay maybe ?

[LuS1fer]

Have you checked that the indicator bulbs are all the same wattage. Perhaps if someone's stuck in a 5w instead of a 21w bulb? Check the fuse and relay boxes. they're clearly marked - to see if there are two relays or just one.

[V8 ETE]

Sounds like an earthing problem to me.

[Vette78]

Thanks for the replies guys. I've ordered a set of green stuff pads for the front as recommended - so that's one thing sorted.

As for the indicators - they were working fine until a few weeks ago - no bulb replacements etc. have happened so they should all be the same wattage.

I had a look at the fuse box in the passenger footwell and pulled the indicator fuse (no. 15) - seems fine. As for seeing if there are two relays or just one - not exactly sure what you mean Lusifer, but everything looked ok - my handbook doesn't make it clear (to me at least) which relay(s) I should be looking at.

V8ETE - could you expand a bit more on your earthing problem idea? How can I check this out?

All help gratefully received!

[vetteheadracer]

I had a problem with a short caused by the main wiring loom shorting out underneath the battery box. Could be a similar problem for you or could be the earth wire on the circuit is broken or loose.

[anonymous-user]

It should help you track down the problem if you switch on the hazard warning lights and see what happens. ie correct flashing speed on all lamps, fast speed on all lamps or something else.

[Vette78]

When the hazards are on it al flashes at the normal speed....

Heard there have been some issues with the flasher unit in some cars in the US - requires the dash to come out to get to it! PLEASE let it not be this!

[te51cle]

Just seen this thread on another forum. Its not much help as it confirms your suspicions, but it means that you are not alone. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=780290

[Vette78]

Sob!

It looks like my Hazard switch is up the swanny then! As soon as I can get my brake pads fitted (can't get wheels off as have not got the wheel lock key - arggh!!) I guess I'll be making a trip down to Bauer Millet for them to take a look.

My wallet is whimpering already....

[vetteheadracer]

I would call Paul Strudwick at Teslayn Engineering as he is an electrical expert and should be able to fix your problem. I suspect he will be cheaper than Bauer Millett!

the link is:

www.classicamcar.co.uk

Check the fuse box to see if the relay is in there rather than behind the dash, or it might be under/behind the carpet panel at the end of the passenger side footwell. I cannot believe it would be behind the dash......
If you do find it, you should be able to order a new one from Bauer Millett.

>> Edited by vetteheadracer on Monday 22 March 16:08

[Vette78]

Thanks for that, just spoken to Paul - he's very helpful!

He reckons the problem could be that someone has basically done a bit of a bodge on my light conversion and stuck a `hidden` bulb into my car to get the flash rate at the right speed. That bulb could well have gone so i'm going to have a look asap and see if I can fix it up to get it through the MOT.

Obviously this isn't ideal though so I foresee a trip down to his place to get the lights done properly in the future.

The only problem is I live in Newcastle Upon Tyne!

Lets hope I can get the problem fixed in the short term though so I can start driving my car again at least.. once i've done the brakes of course..

I used to have a TVR Cerbera - felt like it was going to break down a lot more but at least there was some kind of dealer network spread all around the country..!

Thanks for all your input guys - i'll let you know how I get on with my investigations..

[LuS1fer]

Vette78 said:

Sob! It looks like my Hazard switch is up the swanny then! As soon as I can get my brake pads fitted (can't get wheels off as have not got the wheel lock key - arggh!!) I guess I'll be making a trip down to Bauer Millet for them to take a look. My wallet is whimpering already....

As a man who had to get four wheels off his Camaro without a wheel lock nut, the answer is to buy a set of four new ones and then using a 19mm socket, hammer it onto the locker as hard as you can and they'll come off. I know this as I spent 12 hours drilling the front two off and 10 minutes taking the back two off hen someone told me about it. That was an emergency brake pad change also!

[Vette78]

Cheers LuS1fer - Excellent info! That's the kind of thing I like to hear.... will go and purchase myself a socket set and set to with the wheels asap!

Cheers,

Chris