indicator issues

kimbo · 01-26-2011, 11:02 PM

Hi All

Well my front right indicators seems to playing up and im not sure what the problem is. The warning light comes up and disappears every now and then. At first I thought it was the light bulb so I've changed it and it still happens. Sometimes the indicator works normally and sometimes it doesnt. I have made sure that everything is tight and not loose. I have no idea why its doing this but thought I'll see if anyone else had similar issues first before taking it to the mechanic.

Thanks

Jeef Beef · 01-26-2011, 11:03 PM

My first thought would be the bulb, but if you've changed that then I have no idea.

Sounds like a BMW style electronic glitch

suff · 01-26-2011, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimbo

Hi All

Well my front right indicators seems to playing up and im not sure what the problem is. The warning light comes up and disappears every now and then. At first I thought it was the light bulb so I've changed it and it still happens. Sometimes the indicator works normally and sometimes it doesnt. I have made sure that everything is tight and not loose. I have no idea why its doing this but thought I'll see if anyone else had similar issues first before taking it to the mechanic.

Thanks

Sell your car.. buy mine... problem solved

Spikey · 01-26-2011, 11:23 PM

sounds like my rear brake light... did the same for a while and now seems to be fine ... weird bmw quirk?

kimbo · 01-26-2011, 11:31 PM

that would solve the problem suff

but then I'll have $$$ problems

How long did the problem last for Spikey?

hopefully it'll disappear soon .. its getting pretty annoying

Spikey · 01-26-2011, 11:34 PM

seemed to come and go for about 3-4 weeks then nothing... light still works fine as it should, no more warnings...

bcoz · 01-27-2011, 03:06 AM

It might be worthwhile to check the fuse as well ...it could be on its way out.

WOPALX · 01-27-2011, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcoz

It might be worthwhile to check the fuse as well ...it could be on its way out.

A fuse is either good or bad, they don't suffer from being 'on their way out'.

rossiM3 · 01-27-2011, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WOPALX

A fuse is either good or bad, they don't suffer from being 'on their way out'.

lol, fuse on the way out!, sort of defeats the purpose of a fuse then doesnt it!

But it could be a loose fuse/connection

sbce90 · 01-27-2011, 04:11 AM

Have you tried hitting stuff just to see what it does?

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 01-27-2011, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBC

Have you tried hitting stuff just to see what it does?

give it a technical tap

bcoz · 01-27-2011, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WOPALX

A fuse is either good or bad, they don't suffer from being 'on their way out'.

Haven't you ever seen a charred fuse that somehow continues to work and refuses to die (due to possible defect or incorrect rating)?

Well even if it's not on its way out, it should be on its way out of the fusebox.

Jeef Beef · 01-27-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcoz

Haven't you ever seen a charred fuse that somehow continues to work and refuses to die (due to possible defect or incorrect rating)?

Well even if it's not on its way out, it should be on its way out of the fusebox.

The same thing happens with bulbs - when the element burns out, sometimes the frayed ends can come back into contact and the heat from the current flow will seal them back together.

Hit a bump and they'll separate again.

kimbo · 01-27-2011, 06:20 PM

well i gave it a "technical tap" and it got it going for a few seconds and then back to nothing. Decided to give it a few more "technical taps" but didnt seem to work the second time around

I'll take a look at the fuse tonight

Thanks for the input guys/girls

kimbo · 09-20-2011, 08:52 PM

Well my problem is back and is annoying as hell. I've checked everything and just cant find the problem.

I've taken it to the mechanic but when I got there, the blinker decided to work so they couldnt test it or see an issue with it. I've tried this a couple of times now but every time i decide to take it to the mechanic it decides to work again. It seems like the blinker knows everytime im planning to go to the mechanic and toys with me!

Any ideas anyone?

pcockley · 09-20-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimbo

Well my problem is back and is annoying as hell. I've checked everything and just cant find the problem.

I've taken it to the mechanic but when I got there, the blinker decided to work so they couldnt test it or see an issue with it. I've tried this a couple of times now but every time i decide to take it to the mechanic it decides to work again. It seems like the blinker knows everytime im planning to go to the mechanic and toys with me!

Any ideas anyone?

sounds a bit like my kids, they only work when they are scared

systech · 09-21-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimbo

Hi All

Well my front right indicators seems to playing up and im not sure what the problem is. The warning light comes up and disappears every now and then. At first I thought it was the light bulb so I've changed it and it still happens. Sometimes the indicator works normally and sometimes it doesnt. I have made sure that everything is tight and not loose. I have no idea why its doing this but thought I'll see if anyone else had similar issues first before taking it to the mechanic.

Thanks

The light bulb fault detection systems generally work by measuring currents. If there's no (or low) current in the relevant circuit when switched on this gnerally means that the globe is open circuit i.e. stuffed. If however, the contact on the bulb and/or the bulb receptacle is poor due to corrosion or whatever, the current may initially be lower then normal (and hence trigger the bulb fault indication) and then may work OK as vibations etc establish a better contact.

The answer is generally to replace the bulb and/or clean the bulb contacts and make sure that the receptacle contacts are not corroded / bent / worn.

Hope that helps get you further.

KUSH · 09-21-2011, 05:55 AM

This worked on mine turn indicator on first to set it flashing & then put bulb in no problems since

kimbo · 09-21-2011, 07:15 PM

I've tried replacing the bulbs and checked the contacts on the actual plug thing you pull out. Everything seems okay on the end you pull out. It must be the other end which I havent been able to check yet. Its just so hard to see anything.

I think it might be the from the the plug thing to the actual head light that is stuffed.

Sorry about my non technical terms. I'm pretty crap when it comes to that stuff

01-26-2011, 11:02 PM	#1
kimbo Private 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney iTrader: (0)	indicator issues Hi All Well my front right indicators seems to playing up and im not sure what the problem is. The warning light comes up and disappears every now and then. At first I thought it was the light bulb so I've changed it and it still happens. Sometimes the indicator works normally and sometimes it doesnt. I have made sure that everything is tight and not loose. I have no idea why its doing this but thought I'll see if anyone else had similar issues first before taking it to the mechanic. Thanks
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01-26-2011, 11:03 PM	#2
Jeef Beef Lord Captain Commander 110 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: a sleeper Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	My first thought would be the bulb, but if you've changed that then I have no idea. Sounds like a BMW style electronic glitch __________________ E82 135i M-sport: SGM/6MT/Black
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01-26-2011, 11:23 PM	#4
Spikey Captain 64 Rep 960 Posts Drives: erratically Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: around town~ iTrader: (0)	sounds like my rear brake light... did the same for a while and now seems to be fine ... weird bmw quirk?
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01-26-2011, 11:31 PM	#5
kimbo Private 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney iTrader: (0)	that would solve the problem suff but then I'll have $$$ problems How long did the problem last for Spikey? hopefully it'll disappear soon .. its getting pretty annoying
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01-26-2011, 11:34 PM	#6
Spikey Captain 64 Rep 960 Posts Drives: erratically Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: around town~ iTrader: (0)	seemed to come and go for about 3-4 weeks then nothing... light still works fine as it should, no more warnings...
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01-27-2011, 03:06 AM	#7
bcoz spectator 81 Rep 507 Posts Drives: 330d Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	It might be worthwhile to check the fuse as well ...it could be on its way out.
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01-27-2011, 04:11 AM	#10
sbce90 Me Boosta 249 Rep 5,721 Posts Drives: 320i / MB C63 / VW up! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (3)	Have you tried hitting stuff just to see what it does?
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01-27-2011, 06:20 PM	#14
kimbo Private 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney iTrader: (0)	well i gave it a "technical tap" and it got it going for a few seconds and then back to nothing. Decided to give it a few more "technical taps" but didnt seem to work the second time around I'll take a look at the fuse tonight Thanks for the input guys/girls
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09-20-2011, 08:52 PM	#15
kimbo Private 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney iTrader: (0)	Well my problem is back and is annoying as hell. I've checked everything and just cant find the problem. I've taken it to the mechanic but when I got there, the blinker decided to work so they couldnt test it or see an issue with it. I've tried this a couple of times now but every time i decide to take it to the mechanic it decides to work again. It seems like the blinker knows everytime im planning to go to the mechanic and toys with me! Any ideas anyone?
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09-21-2011, 05:55 AM	#18
KUSH Enlisted Member 4 Rep 49 Posts Drives: MY 08 325i M Sport/Innovations Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	This worked on mine turn indicator on first to set it flashing & then put bulb in no problems since
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09-21-2011, 07:15 PM	#19
kimbo Private 5 Rep 65 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: sydney iTrader: (0)	I've tried replacing the bulbs and checked the contacts on the actual plug thing you pull out. Everything seems okay on the end you pull out. It must be the other end which I havent been able to check yet. Its just so hard to see anything. I think it might be the from the the plug thing to the actual head light that is stuffed. Sorry about my non technical terms. I'm pretty crap when it comes to that stuff
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