mx5cartalk.com

OK, strange issue here.

My indicators are intermittantly not working.

When I move the indicator stick to indicate, I hear a click (as the stick clicks down) then a one click (similar sound to when the indicators work)
The issue is that the indicators don't light, no lights on the outside of the car, and no green arrows on the cluster. (and no clicking noise like they're trying to work)

it occurs on both left and right indications, as well as the hazard lights.


But it's intermittant, sometimes they'll work, then stop, then work. (blinking speed is normal, not fast or slow)


It's too cold this winter for me to indicate with my arms!

Is it for a NA? Check the unit up near the steering column. It's probably fried.

NB8A

sounds like a loose connection. Check the fuse and see it its tight. The usual thing is to check if there is power to the t/sig relay - none of these things I have checked on an MX5 ! It cannot be at the bulb ends if all bulbs fail to flash. Failing all this go to the local auto elect you simply cannot be the master of everything that goes wrong.

If NA, would say indicator stalk wear & tear, but not sure how prone NB was to this. Reckon wear & tear is a good possible though.

yes 93 might be right. Still look at the easy things first. Not sure how accessible the combination switch is to 'repair'.

Originally I thought it was the stalk, BUT it also does it with the hazard lights, which are a separate switch.


Anyway, I think I've worked out where the issue is. I'm quite certain it's the relay.

I poked around under the dash and found the relay by listening to where the clicking was coming from (the indicators decided to work this morning)

I removed the relay and had a look, it looked ok (well, I've never looked inside a relay before, but it didn't have any obvious broken bits or burned marks/smells)

I plugged it in while it was open and watched it work, the springy thing moved back and forth opening and closing the circuit happily.


When I plugged it back in it stopped again, then when I clipped it back onto it's bracket it worked (after a sudden jolt when it clipped into place)

The fact that it started to work again after a small impact would suggest to me it's a bit sticky and perhaps the spring/switch thing is sticking down and the magnets inside aren't able to unstick it (where the sudden jolt dislodges it and it can move freely)

Is my theory sound?



Ultimately I'll just replace the relay, but in the meantime would it perhaps un-stick it if I got some electrical contact cleaner and sprayed a little over the whole thing?

Wouldn't hurt to try if you have the time. The fuel inj relay in the engine bay certainly responds well to a clean up if dirty & corroded, & the relay points themselves also benefit from a clean up with fine wet & dry if pitted.

Hi Nic,
Whip down to your local car bit bloke with the faulty flasher can in your hand and purchase a new one, there is every chance that the points are carboned up and the unit is worn out, just think of how many momentary contacts those points have made over the life of the car.
Greg.

All good now.

Went and bought a new flasher unit, straight plugin in 2mins.


The only issue is that the Narva one I got had a large housing and won't fit into the clip, so I need to cable tie it somethere to stop it shaking about.
And the click is quieter than the old one, which means I can't hear it when the car is doing more than about 40kph.

hks_kansei wrote:All good now.

Went and bought a new flasher unit, straight plugin in 2mins.


The only issue is that the Narva one I got had a large housing and won't fit into the clip, so I need to cable tie it somethere to stop it shaking about.
And the click is quieter than the old one, which means I can't hear it when the car is doing more than about 40kph.

Hi Nic,
Pleased to hear of the fix, do not allow the new unit to float around for long it may not like it, cut a piece of a coke can the width of the unit and double it's length and then cable the whole lot to your new mounting point, the resonance of the alloy strip should make the click louder.
Greg.

if you have the old can you can measure it and see if the same size can is available. Most of these products are made to a spec so that you can replace like with like. Narva, Hella etc sell a variety and they may have the right size.Bursons as an example may also be able to replace with the same size product- front up to the counter and they will check their cats. Cans are also marked with the spec insofar as spec is concerned so that might help. You can of course make do as Taminga suggests.

I've just had the same problem in my NB8A. The damn flasher is in a bitch of a spot to get to when you're trying to figure out which little white box it is.

I've tried giving it a bit of a clean, but it's still 'sticky'. Where did you get the replacement box from?

Looks just like this one?

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/flasher-relay-mazda-p-1822.html?osCsid=46ae0c367950d25fe3678f35e700662e&currency=USD

marcusus wrote: Where did you get the replacement box from?

Autobarn.

It's just a generic Narva one, the plug is the same but the clip that holds it onto the car is different.
I've jsut cable tied mine to stop it rattling about.

I think it was about $10 or so.

Just bring the old one in and they should be able to just match the plugs to one on the shelf. (sorry, I threw the package out so can't give you a art number)