All,

the indicators in my series 3 are blinking irregularly. They are very slow, then have a rest, then blink once of twice, then stop - they are lazy. I assume the switch is gone, but is the switch basically the indicator/dipper stalk assembly on the column? And do I have to replace it or can I service/fix it?


cheers
Jim

Jim

I wanted to be humourous and use the old line - "are my turn lamps working?" -> "it's working - not working - working - not working... " but thought better of it.

Yes the stalk/switch are the same. They are made of plastic and have a tendency to wear, but are servicable to an extent. You will notice that there are two plastic arms with sort of arrow heads at the ends off the stalk that push a pair of brass contacts (green + trace wires) together when you move the stalk from one side to the other. These are the turn signal contacts. The other contacts with blue + trace wires are the headlamp contacts.

It sounds more like you have a problem with the indicator can, but before you spend money on a new one do a little maintenance.

With very fine wet and dry paper clean any carbon build up off the contacts in the switch and at the same time check that they are making good contact (your partners manicure emmery boards are just the thing - but don't tell her! ). You may have to bend the brass contact a little so it presses firmly on the other contact when closed.

While you are there, clean the headlamp contacts as well.

If the pivot of the switch is loose and very warn you may have to replace the switch anyway.

Then make sure that all the lamps have good electrical connections. It may be worthwhile measuring if there is any resistance to ground (earth) with a meter. If there is resistance you may have to clean both ends of the ground wires on the lamp base and body/chassis.

Then with a meter check the voltage of the centre pole when flashing, and trace back for problems/dirty connections if there is a difference between front and rear.

If switch and lamps are good then it's time to replace the can.

Diana

__________________
You either have: a Land Rover or Money!
80" Gunna & Bemboka
SIIA Emmett & Goldfields
SIIB Cardwell, Tooby, Capt.Pneumo & Gog
SIII Ffreddy
Mk3 Wazza
RRc Vague & Avis
D6X6 Ikea
No5 MaryAustin & Greaser
MGB & Haulmark

Awesome, thanks for that.

Next question is what and where is the "can"?

round can shaped thing behind your instruments 2 screws hold front panel remove them and pull facia forward you should be able to see the can

__________________
29-472 S3 109 GS "THE BOOGER"
kawasaki gt 550
kawasaki gt 750 (just got another)
EX rocky EX mavrick
REMLR 282
GEOFF

They vary a bit in appearance, but usually unpainted aluminium about 3cm diameter and 5cm long.

John

__________________
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol

I'm no expert, but sounds like the relay to me.
Mine worked [blinked regularly] for about 15 seconds each time used but then jambed on.
I replaced the relay.
Rob king

I think I'll start by putting in a new Can and seeing what happens. Will any old 3 prong or 2 prong one do, or does it have to be a Landrover or specific voltage one?

cheers

Have a look at whats in there at the moment mine had been rewired and takes a 2 wire can but the the trailer flasher doesnt work

__________________
29-472 S3 109 GS "THE BOOGER"
kawasaki gt 550
kawasaki gt 750 (just got another)
EX rocky EX mavrick
REMLR 282
GEOFF

Jimmy,
Mine was a 2 wire can, 12v 80 cycles per minuite.
Made in indonesia I recall!
I will have to look again, I think the new one is a bosch, (there may have been a spare terminal as well.)
Like Booger says, the wattage and wiring config may depend on whether you are including a trailer.
I had a separate flat plug fitted under the rear transolm for a conventional box trailer and that works fine, but the 'trailer flasher' indicator on the dash doesn't work.
If youre stuck I'll open the dash and give you the spec.
Rob King.

There are 2, 3 and 4 terminal cans.

AFAIK
The 2 terminal cans are for cars where there are dash panel indicator lamps for both directions.

The 4 terminal cans are for cars where there is only a single dashboard indicator lamp for when the flashers are operating and also a second one for when the trailer is connected + lamps are flashing

The three terminal ones can be confusing as there are two options.
1/ for cars where there are dash panel indicator lamps for both directions and also a terminal for when the trailer is connected + lamps are flashing.
2/ for cars where there is only a single dashboard indicator lamp for when the flashers are operating.

Then we get to bi-metal strip types and electronic.

The bi-metal strip will flash faster as more bulbs are included - although some have a trailer circuit when an additional 21Watts is detected (trailer)

Electronic types that will flash at a constant rate irrespective of how many additional bulbs are in the circuit (within a range) -

BTW the trailer indicator lamp may not flash if the trailer is fitted with LED lamps.

__________________
You either have: a Land Rover or Money!
80" Gunna & Bemboka
SIIA Emmett & Goldfields
SIIB Cardwell, Tooby, Capt.Pneumo & Gog
SIII Ffreddy
Mk3 Wazza
RRc Vague & Avis
D6X6 Ikea
No5 MaryAustin & Greaser
MGB & Haulmark