Indicator stalk & high beam flashing

[Gazbo]

Lately I've found that after I've parked in the sun on a hot day, for the first 10-15 minutes of driving, when I indicate left the high-beams flash (flash to pass).
This is an NA6, so both headlamps pop up briefly - most embarrassing.

Is this a common wear problem in the indicator/lights assembly?

Is it fixable without buying a new assembly? I haven't pulled the steering column apart to look yet.

[Juffa]

Lately I've found that after I've parked in the sun on a hot day, for the first 10-15 minutes of driving, when I indicate left the high-beams flash (flash to pass).
This is an NA6, so both headlamps pop up briefly - most embarrassing.

Is this a common wear problem in the indicator/lights assembly?

Is it fixable without buying a new assembly? I haven't pulled the steering column apart to look yet.

I don't believe the NA5 came with 'flash to pass' as standard? Did someone add this? Have a look at the wiring around the indicator stalk a diode might have been added in. It should be an obvious add on.

How do I know this, I added the diode because I wanted the flash-to-pass option and I had the exact same issue as you. I ended up pulling the diode out.

As it turns out this was a indication of wear and tear in the contacts of the indicator/light stalks. I found that on a hot day my battery was going flat, the alarm would kick in and drive people sitting near the office car park batty. Turns out that the high beams were coming on, but the lights did not pop up. I found that if I pulled back very slightly on the indicator stalk I could replicate this, high beam indicator would come on, but the lights stayed down. I learned to park the car with the stalk pushed forward to stop this. Never did get it fixed as such.

J.

[93_Clubman]

J, I believe Gazbo has a 1993 NA6, which as you know shared many of the subtle small mods made to the NA8 - possibly flash to pass was another one of them.

[Gazbo]

You're quite right, the "flash to pass" was standard at some stage in the life of the NA6, might even be 92 onwards.

Juffa, interesting you had similar symptoms as me, especially on hot days.

Maybe my car's not as bad as yours yet.... it only happens when driving and indicating left. The lights turn off immediately.

[Varjak]

I had this exact same problem with my NA, a new indicator/headlamp control stalk unit fixed the issue, sourced from mx5parts.co.uk if I remember, easy enough to fit and had a nice, precise and well tuned new feel to it!

The unit itself looked worn, difficult to disassemble and rather complex so I decided a new unit was the best option.