Why are my lights stuck on???

the_big_fact_hunt

i drive an old M reg Transit, today (twice) my indicators have all lit up at the same time (like the hazard lights), not flashing, just lit. Both times my van has been locked so i know nobody has touched anything, i tried pulling fuses out but they stayed lit (not sure if i got the right fuse) then after a few minutes they went off

i have taken the combined indicator/hazard light switch out and disconnected it to break the circuit so it wont flatten the battery, i suspect it is a faulty switch as i can see no other possibility.

does anybody have any suggestions or similar experiences????
could be a trip to the scrappies tomorrow

Thunderbird_2

Hi

As far as I can understand, the indicator lights are on due to either a wire touching the body or a faulty relay ( Flasher?).

When you start the car, are they off? Can you indicate right or left?

the_big_fact_hunt

after a few minutes they will just go off and then work normally again, when the fault occurs they just stay lit regardless of trying the indicators and hazards

anewman

If there is also a central locking system which lights up the indicators the problem could also possibly be there.

From what you say I would say first port of call would be a new hazard/indicator relay. To check the current relay, with hazards on there should be an audible click when the lights go on and off (the relay switching). If there is no clicking when the problem is occuring chances are the relay is faulty and stuck in the on position. Shouldn't cost too much. I don't have much experience with these sort of things though so I guess another vote is needed!

the_big_fact_hunt

no central locking, remote alarm, or anything else like that, this is a bog standard old style vehicle, the relay clicks and works as normal, until the fault occurs then it does not click when i turn them on (already lit) but will work as normal when they go off again


the problem occurs when the keys are in my pocket, its locked, and nobody is doing anything to it (my neighbours knocked on my door to tell me my lights were on). this is why its so puzzling

Wig

Yeah, try changing the flasher relay, if you can find one in a scrap yard or if they are cheap enough. You might find the same relay is fitted to other fords, a friendly VW parts dealer can tell you which other VW models have the same part, so maybe a friendly Ford parts person can do the same.

the_big_fact_hunt

i am planning to change the switch and relay, but i cant see why the fault should occur when nothing is being done to the van, its just sat idle

anewman

AFAIK these things can happen, it's why the relays are usually easily accessible and pull straight out. Someone who used to own a Lada (am sure Jeremy Clarkson would have something to say about that) told me it was a common occurence on them to have relays go bad. It's done 13 years of flashing those indicators

The relay itself does the switching, I would swap just that first.

Stephen_Leak

the_big_fact_hunt wrote: »

i cant see why the fault should occur when nothing is being done to the van, its just sat idle

Ah, but that is the very nature of a fault.

Reading the thread, my vote goes for the flasher relay too. The same one is probably used on loads of Ford models (cars & commercials), and probably not too expensive, either from Ford or your local car parts supplier. It usually lives under the dashboard by the steering column.

goldspanners

yes,go for the flasher unit,you can get one for a few pounds at any motor factors and usually fit most older vehicles,but try to get a ford one as this will definatly rule out the flasher unit if it doesnt work.

the_big_fact_hunt

when i took the combined switch out last night i was not aware that the van did have a previoulsy fitted alarm/immobiliser which was disconnected and i did not have the remote. i have since completely removed the system and reconnected the wiring to its original state, i have also replaced the flasher unit and so far there have been no problems, but as it only started yesterday and has only happened twice i cannot be sure just yet that it will not occur again... watch this space...
many thanks to those who replied with their thoughts and advice