The indicators in my 12 year old Alfa 156 SW have stopped working. The car is in very good condition - 110'000 miles, regularly serviced. They started not working from time to time, but if you pushed the hazard warning button in and out a few times, they'd start working again. Now they seem to have decided to have given up the ghost entirely. Is intermittent working before expiring typical of a dodgy relay, or do you think a loose connection in the hazard warning lights switch a more likely culprit? As all the electrics are in the car and not getting water on them, like on a bike, is corrosion over the years going to be a problem? Any ideas?
Hi there sounds like relay contacts sticking have a look at earth points on car make sure all clean if ok try a relay sometimes if you unplug relay will work again
Relays will fail over time - try counting the number of times those indicators have flashed in those 12 years and you'll understand why they give up eventually! I would replace the relay for a brand new one. Take it to your local motor factors, or failing that a Halfrauds, and get them to match it up. It'll cost you around £5-£10, take five minutes to swap out, and should hopefully last for another 10 years!
I had exactly the same on my Jeep, and could get them going with the hazard switch. Changed the relay & problem gone. Nice easy fix but my relay cost 50 quid!
Well you have to expect a few things to go wrong after 12 years. If it's only 50 quid (and let's face it, here in Switzerland it'll be at least that) I won't be complaining.
Ha! Just back from the auto-electricians. I love competency. The guy took 5 mins to locate the relay after undoing a few screws and change it. Cost: CHF 50. So that's £33 and what I call a result! Problem solved. Thanks for all the advice - it was helpful.
