The car is just about finished and I have an MOT booked for Thursday but I'm having a problem with the indicators. When I switch them on without the engine running they flash once then stay lit. If the engine is running they flash 3 or 4 times getting slower each time then stop. The hazards and all the other lights are fine. The bulbs are 21w rear, 10w front, 5w side and the flasher unit says 2 x 21w + 5w. Do I need a different flasher unit or is it likely to be an earth problem?

Steve

id put some 21w bulbs in the front, thats what the donor had, and 2x21w+5w is what it says!

might not change anything, but worth a go for a quid. the wattage does affect the flash rate.

i had that with mine,if you cant put bigger bulbs in the fronts try a pair of 5w bulbs hidden under the dash to give the extra load

Or perhaps a 12V 10Watt resistor. No twinkling christmas lights in the cockpit.

Or use a 4 pin flasher unit thsat dosen't care about wattage.

(might also be an idea to check the battery for a dead cell and check the charging rate -- as I don't understand why they are slowing down when flashing with the engine running)

If you get them flash ok the MOT shouldn't be a problem but SVA might be a different matter if the e markings are checked.

I reckon your battery is flat and not charging correctly.

As BT says - use a 4 pin to be sure!

Use a different battery to check!

I'd thought about the battery not charging but I use it straight after it's been conected to the Optimate which indicates it's OK, and I've already checked the charging voltage on the car. I will stick a 21w bulb in first to see what result I get.

Cheers Steve

Thanks for all the help, problem solved

I put a 21w bulb in place of the 10w and the indicators worked. I can't fit a 21w in and fit the cover so I replaced the 10w bulb. I've now fitted a 3 pin electronic flasher unit and the flash perfectly, much better than any 2 pin flasher. So now it's MOT Thursday and SVA next Monday.

Thanks again Steve