Fiat Ducato rear indicator

[Channa]

Hi,

I treated the van to a wash yesterday by hand which may be a coincidence.

However the rear N/S rear indicator doesnt work ...the bulb seems fine which me thinks possibly a bad earth.

The wiring is all lumped together in conduit and far beyond me to start splitting.

Has anyone had a similar problem ? and is there a simple answer without resorting to major surgery in the factory loom ?

Channa

 

[rickboy]

Take an earth lead from the number plate light or other light in the group.

Rick

 

[Channa]

A quick update, I have removed the bulb holder, and the earth lead had corroded and come away. I have removed the corroded spade connector and cleaned the wire but on contact the bulb doesnt light !!.

I really dont want the expense of replacing the bulb holder, I know that for example the rear lamp has a good earth because it lights up.

Am I right in thinking if I run a wire from that spade connecter to the negative part of the bulb holder all should work ?

Thanks in advance

Channa

 

[Boxerman]

A quick update, I have removed the bulb holder, and the earth lead had corroded and come away. I have removed the corroded spade connector and cleaned the wire but on contact the bulb doesnt light !!.

I really dont want the expense of replacing the bulb holder, I know that for example the rear lamp has a good earth because it lights up.

Am I right in thinking if I run a wire from that spade connecter to the negative part of the bulb holder all should work ?

Channa

I must be in thicky mode because I can't quite grasp what you mean
Is the spade connector a male one attached to the bulb holder or female attached to a wire?
Any chance of a photo?, alternatively, is you Ducato the "Boxer type" before the new shape? if so I'll nip out and have a look at mine.

Frank

 

[Channa]

Thanks Frank just tried my theory and it doesnt work !!!!...So scratching my head now !

Channa

 

[derekfaeberwick]

Hi,

I treated the van to a wash yesterday by hand which may be a coincidence.

However the rear N/S rear indicator doesnt work ...the bulb seems fine which me thinks possibly a bad earth.

The wiring is all lumped together in conduit and far beyond me to start splitting.

Has anyone had a similar problem ? and is there a simple answer without resorting to major surgery in the factory loom ?

Channa

Don't assume, swap it with a known good bulb, brake light perhaps, and take it from there.

 

[Channa]

Swapped the bulbs Derek and it still doesnt flash.

I will try and take a couple of photos so folk can see, rather than try and explain.

Channa

 

[Channa]

A couple of photos which perhaps better explain my plight.

First an outside shot of the lamp so you can see what model it is

A shot of what I assume is the earth wires for the relevant lamps the blue wire is the one which has deterioated.

And finally the bulb holder , the bulb holder to the right is the rotten one , it should look like the red and yellow ones.

I have swapped, and re swapped bulbs, what I cant understand is it seems the spade is part and parcel of the metal part that makes contact with the bottom of the bulb. the broad metal strip I am assuming is the positive part of the circuit and makes contact with the side of the bulb. So far I have tried r blue wire and then after that failed piggybacking a wire from the terminal to the adjacent earth spade but it still doesnt work...the adjacent spade is ok, because the taillights work.

I hope this helps and thanks again in advance

Channa

 

[bigboack]

Is the front Ns indicator working. Have you checked this out. Back to the rear ns have you a test meter to see if you have voltage there. worth checking first, It could be something under the bonnet ie a realy / blinker unit. can you heare a clicking noise under the bonnet.

 

[Boxerman]

A couple of photos which perhaps better explain my plight.
03-10.jpg[/IMG]

And finally the bulb holder , the bulb holder to the right is the rotten one , it should look like the red and yellow ones.

I have swapped, and re swapped bulbs, what I cant understand is it seems the spade is part and parcel of the metal part that makes contact with the bottom of the bulb. the broad metal strip I am assuming is the positive part of the circuit and makes contact with the side of the bulb. So far I have tried r blue wire and then after that failed piggybacking a wire from the terminal to the adjacent earth spade but it still doesnt work...the adjacent spade is ok, because the taillights work.

I hope this helps and thanks again in advance

Channa

It looks to me that the black (to the side of bulbs) wire is earth and the others (to the centre) are the live feeds.

What I would do:
solder a short length of wire to the sprung metal centre contact and crimp a male spade terminal to the end of it.
Crimp a new female spade terminal onto the end of the relevant wire (blue?) then join the two together.

HTH

Frank

 

[Channa]

Is the front Ns indicator working. Have you checked this out. Back to the rear ns have you a test meter to see if you have voltage there. worth checking first, It could be something under the bonnet ie a realy / blinker unit. can you heare a clicking noise under the bonnet.

Yes but flashing rapidly, also on the dashboard which first alerted me to having a problem.

Channa

 

[Channa]

It looks to me that the black (to the side of bulbs) wire is earth and the others (to the centre) are the live feeds.

What I would do:
solder a short length of wire to the sprung metal centre contact and crimp a male spade terminal to the end of it.
Crimp a new female spade terminal onto the end of the relevant wire (blue?) then join the two together.

HTH

Frank

I think you are right re the positive negative bit. however brushing the blue wire on the sprung metal centre it doesnt flash

Channa

 

[Boxerman]

I think you are right re the positive negative bit. however brushing the blue wire on the sprung metal centre it doesnt flash

Channa

If it's an indicator then "brushing" won't work, you'll need to hold it on for several seconds, the current is switching on and off (60 flashes per minute) so you have to keep it there to maintain the circuit in order for the flasher relay to work.
It's the imbalance due to lack of resistance which is causing your front one to flash rapidly.

Frank

 

[barnybg]

Flasher

Looking at the pic,I too think the BLACK is EARTH so your BLUE that has come away is a POSITIVE,try cutting/cleaning BLUE end of wire and just hold it to the end where it should go,put new bulb in the right way to elimenate bulb theory and dont forget ignition and flasher on (know it sounds stupid but have forgotten simple things while working out problems?!)
Also check out all other bulbs /fitments on other flasher light clusters BEFORE this...

 

[bigboack]

A simple test with a meter should sort this out in seconds. if you have not got one, get an elctricians screwdriver from b and q. the one with a test lead on the top. they are only a couple of quid.

 

[Channa]

A simple test with a meter should sort this out in seconds. if you have not got one, get an elctricians screwdriver from b and q. the one with a test lead on the top. they are only a couple of quid.

I dont have a meter, what do I do with the screwdriver, I am a complete novice with electrics but keen to learn.

I mentioned earlier I cleaned the live feed. held it to the contact but is there a chance I was earthing it by holding it ??, that said i trapped it between the bottom of the bulb and the holder and still no joy.

Thanks

Channa

 

[The Grand Wanderer]

Flashing Channa

Hi Chana,
First before removing any wires make a written note of the position and colour of all the wires attached to the light cluster.
Then remove them all and clean all contacts, bulbs (both outer and centre parts) and the holders carefully.
The easiest way to repair is as Frank says and solder a short wire to the remaining part of the centre contact of the flasher holder and put a male lug on the other end. Then push the male lug into the existing wire, making sure that it is well insulated against accidental shorting against other parts of the cluster.
Put a small smear of vasaline on all contacts and reassemble.
The black wire attached to the long silver metal part that holds all the bulbs in place is the earth.
The blue wire is the feed for the flasher bulb. As has been said the flasher turns on and off so just brushing it against the bulb will not be the best way of testing, bare a small part of the wire and hold it against the centre of the bulb for a while making sure that the indicater is on.
Bob will hopefully be your uncle and Fanny your aunt.
Regards,
Wanderer

 

[maingate]

This is a waste of time!

I`ll have the wheels, who wants the batteries?

 

[Channa]

This is a waste of time!

I`ll have the wheels, who wants the batteries?

With my lack of mechanical/electrical prowess certainly a challenge !!

I have noted your comments, and earmarked the rear O/S wheel for you.

Still has an ongoing slow puncture, Time to raid the piggy bank and buy some 215 70 15 tyres....to get the ol gal ship shape,

I constantly try to remind myself a cheaper option than bricks and mortar, But we both know Yorkies are allergic to spending money when not required.

Daft thing is I will need to go to a site to get electricity for the soldering iron !!!...

All part and parcel of the fun

Channa

 

[derekfaeberwick]

Question- is it working?

Answer- No-Yes-NO-Yes-No-Yes----- job's a good un! .