turn signals don't work

[MNlotus]

i just recently bought a 2003 seven and have had it for 500 miles, and my turn signals stopped working. the lights all work because the four way flashers still work. i dont have a manual for this car or anything, so does anyone have any ideas?

[MHKflyer52]

Check the switch for the turn signals as the contactor might be worn or bent.

[bsimon]

If you have a Caterham, the hazard switch is notorious for corroding and making the indicators fail to work.

 

Try turning the switch on and off repeatedly to wear the oxide off the contacts. If this doesn't work, the switch can be disassembled and cleaned.

 

A warning though. There are some springy bits that will be liberated at escape velocity when you open the switch up.

[Davemk1]

The turn signals are often wired through emergency flasher switch (act as an interrupter). The Birkin is this way and the contacts on the back of the E. Flasher switch were loose and the turn signals worked intermittently.

 

Worth looking at.

 

dave

[slngsht]

if that doesn't work, look at the fuse and relay block. Not sure about Cats specifically, but alot of cars have 2 different flashers - one for turn signals, another for hazards. you'd want to make sure the flasher is getting juice. If it is, and signals are not working, you can also switch flashers to test and eliminate that as a problem.

[MNlotus]

which fuse is the one for the flashers?

[MNlotus]

i just checked all the fuses with my fluke and they are all fine. my car has only 4000 miles on it and it has never seen any rain.

 

the switch itself for the turn signals looks fine, and brand new. i still have no clue

[yellowss7]

BSimon's recommendation (to flick the hazard switch on and off several times is the first thing to do. I had the same problem with my Cat and strange as it may seem, it is the recommeded fix.

 

Tom

[MNlotus]

i tried that, it didn't seem to do anything, but ill try again.

[slngsht]

i just checked all the fuses with my fluke and they are all fine. my car has only 4000 miles on it and it has never seen any rain.

 

the switch itself for the turn signals looks fine, and brand new. i still have no clue

 

well, since you are handy with the fluke, see if you have 12V to the switch.

[Hank]

Could the relay be shot for the flashers? I believe the hazard switch has a relay built-in. I could be wrong, however.

[bsimon]

The Caterham switches have copper contacts, probably a holdover from the Lucas days. The copper corrodes quite readily in high humidity environments. Since the hazard switch is hardly ever used, the corrosion issue with this particular set of contacts is exacerbated.

 

I suspect these switches were specified to ensure one the full on experience of a dodgy electrical system, while enjoying the ownership of their fine English sportscar.

 

I've toyed with the idea of buying a small dobb-on jewelry silver plating kit to fix this issue in the Caterham switches. Never got round to it.

[MNlotus]

does a relay control the turn signal? ill see if i got 12 volts at the switch tomorrow. other then that does anyone know the easiest way to take apart the switch to look at the contacts?

[bsimon]

A relay sends power to the indicators when the ignition switch is turned on. When this relay's contacts are open, (ignition switch off) only the hazard lights will work. It's a MOT safety requirement to allow hazard signal activation without the key in the ignition.

 

The indicator relay is the upper right hand one on older chassis. I can't remember which one it is on the later model chassis like yours.

 

Replace the relay and see if that's the knackered part. You may be able to swap it with the horn or headlamp relay to see if it's bad. "If in doubt, swap about"

 

Both hazards and indicators use the same flasher module. Your flasher module seems to be OK since the hazards are in working order.

[MNlotus]

are the turn signals supposed to work if the key is out of the ignition?

[slngsht]

are the turn signals supposed to work if the key is out of the ignition?

 

 

Don't tell me that was the problem

[bsimon]

are the turn signals supposed to work if the key is out of the ignition?

 

Don't tell me that was the problem

 

He, he.

 

No, turn indicator power is interupted when the ign is off to keep you from draining the battery when the car is parked.

 

It's bad enough that blue rinses in Buick LeSabers will drive from Chicago to LA on the interstate with the left turn blinking the whole way.

[MNlotus]

k, just checking, they don't work with the key in or out of the ignition

[MNlotus]

well i was taking out the garbage this morning, so i thought id give the turn signals another try. they work now! im pretty sure it was either the hazard switch turned on a little bit or there was some corrosion on the switch. Thank you all for your help! now i can enjoy my seven on the street!

 

i had one question though. right next to the fuse block there is a black knob that you can pull out and push back in. is this the choke, or what?

Thanks again!

[bsimon]

Chances are, that's the heater valve control. It's usually placed on the scuttle firewall above the driver's knees.

 

Of course, the former owner may have had it control something else; enrichener/choke, landing gear, ejection seat, etc. Follow the cable under the bonnet and see where it goes.