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indicators fuse keeps blowing?
steveyb - 31/1/08 at 10:03 AM

has anyone ever had problem with indicators on a sierra as i know the stalk give bother sometimes.
my problem is with the fuse as soon as i put it into place it blows?
i have done a check on where fuse goes in and it reads 3.8 ohms i think,
i also have stalk disconnected but fuse still blows? any ideas
thanks

steveyb - 31/1/08 at 10:06 AM

forgot to ask but where is the relay located for indicators?
i think it's up behind the dash but where abouts?
thanks

02GF74 - 31/1/08 at 10:28 AM

quote:
Originally posted by steveyb
has anyone ever had problem with indicators on a sierra as i know the stalk give bother sometimes.
no. but then i don;t have sierra stalk
my problem is with the fuse as soon as i put it into place it blows?
What exactly do you mean by that?
1. does it blow with igntion off?
2. does it blew when igniton is on?
3. does it blow when you flip indicator stalk to the lefr? to the right? hazards on?
i have done a check on where fuse goes in and it reads 3.8 ohms i think,
i also have stalk disconnected but fuse still blows?
3.8 ohm equates to about 4 A. Whatamp rating fuse are you fitting?
Is this measured with igntion off? And what posiiton is the stalk? The indicator lamps are 21 W - do the sums and you ohm measurment is correct but shold be open circuit when stalk is in neutral position.

thanks


If your resistance measuremtn is correct, then you need to see if bulbs or wiring to bulbs is sorted and the suspect the relay may be faulty.

To avoid blowing fuses, get some mains cable, strip off the insulation and use a couple of the fine strands as a temoporary fuse until you have figure out the problem.

Adont forget to check the indicator dahs board lamps for faults.

DarrenW - 31/1/08 at 10:34 AM

Ive seen the indicators themselves corrode and suffer bad contacts - could this be a source of a high load?

02GF74 - 31/1/08 at 11:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
Ive seen the indicators themselves corrode and suffer bad contacts - could this be a source of a high load?


no; the opposite. high resistance = low current = low load.

nitram38 - 31/1/08 at 11:12 AM

First off don't put strands of copper as a fuse to test your indicators.
My suggestion is to remove all of the lamps and your indicator relay etc.
Then connect a voltmeter across where the fuse should go. It you get a voltage reading, then you have probably got a short somewhere, possibly the switch. Remove the swicth and check.
Put the relay back in and test again.
It is a process of elimination and will take a little time but you should find it by breaking the circuit down into parts.
Just don't be tempted to keep trying fuses to find the fault!

britishtrident - 31/1/08 at 11:33 AM

3.8 ohms sounds about right --- what size fuse are you using ? Normally cars use a 15 amp or 10 amp fuse for the flashers --- a higher current rating than you might expect (nb if the horn is off the same fuse it is usually a 15 amp fuse).

If all else fails Maplin do a handy little 20 amp digital ammeter that plugs into a blade fuse socket for tracking down current drains.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?MenuNo=11809&MenuName=Engine%20Analyser&worldid=9&FromMenu=y&doy=31m1

02GF74 - 31/1/08 at 11:43 AM

quote:
Originally posted by nitram38
First off don't put strands of copper as a fuse to test your indicators.


!!! yes I know it is not ideal but if you make change andthink you are ready to power up, this will save blowing the proper fuse.

this has been discussed - you can by resettablke fuses too.

britishtrident - 31/1/08 at 11:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74
quote:
Originally posted by nitram38
First off don't put strands of copper as a fuse to test your indicators.


!!! yes I know it is not ideal but if you make change andthink you are ready to power up, this will save blowing the proper fuse.

this has been discussed - you can by resettablke fuses too.


I love the smell of burning wiring loom --- its the smell of turning your car and garage & house to ashes.

[Edited on 31/1/08 by britishtrident]

steveyb - 31/1/08 at 12:48 PM

thanks for all the replys.
i'll try and answer all here...

when i have the indicator stalk removed and the igniton on the fuse blows, the hazard lights work all the time, no problems with the hazards.
when i use a volt meter where the fuse goes in i get 12v, this is the same place were i got my ohms reading only by using neg on the battery - 3.8 ohms.

by taking out all the bulbs - i havn't tried yet as the bulbs all work fine when hazards are on.
i was thinking that the steering colum may have caught a wire an be earthing out, but by getting 3.8 ohms, this seems ok so i'm not sure?

i am using a 10amp fuse as this is what is supposed to be used but i tried a 20amp and it blew straight away too.

i suspect the relay for the indicators but were abouts is it, i think it's under the dash but has any one removed loom for their locost or simlar to use sush relays?
[Edited on 31/1/08 by steveyb]

[Edited on 31/1/08 by steveyb]