MY16 Puma blinker early cancellation

[Graekynn]

Hi All,

I have a MY16 Puma 90 with 16k kms on it and recently the blinker has begun cancelling when turning into a corner as opposed to when the wheel is returning to centre. Was perfect when brand new, but has deteriorated to the point where it happens at least half a dozen times a day. Now there are threads out there outlining possible causes for the blinker self cancelling which I understand, but I'm still under warranty. I'm getting the blinker switch replaced by JLR however they were highly resistant to it stating that 'its a characteristic of the vehicle' and 'its 50 year old tech' amongst other excuses for why I should just live with it.

I wanted to gauge other peoples reactions to this situation, as I feel its not only a legal but also a safety issue. For instance if it cancels as im turning right at a roundabout the oncoming car could easily think that ive changed my mind to go straight and then come out in front of me, and given that the blinker is on the gear lever side im not always in a position to reenable it quickly because im changing gears and turning. If an accident occurs my only defense is that the dealer said its a characteristic of the vehicle??

I personally think their stance is ridiculous as I find it hard to believe that everyone here with defenders older than a few months have the same issue. This type of failure should only show after decades of use, not months in my opinion.

[Greg4427]

I have it with my 2016 110 and have had it driving Australian Army Perentie. It is a characteristic of the Defender and I always keep my hand near the indicator to put it back on when it clicks off. I usually find it's more pronounced when the vehicle is colder for some reason but I live with it. [bigsmile1]

[Graekynn]

I have it with my 2016 110 and have had it driving Australian Army Perentie. It is a characteristic of the Defender and I always keep my hand near the indicator to put it back on when it clicks off. I usually find it's more pronounced when the vehicle is colder for some reason but I live with it. [bigsmile1]

Its true its more pronounced when cold in mine aswell, but its not exactly a complex system and the same works fine on countless other makes and models of car. There has to be an explanation for it

[tact]

Hi All,

I have a MY16 Puma 90 with 16k kms on it and recently the blinker has begun cancelling when turning into a corner as opposed to when the wheel is returning to centre.

Mine is a 2013 model with about 65,000 km
on the clock. It has never pulled the early signal cancel stunt. I'd hazard a guess many others can say the same. Assuming so then clearly it isn't something to be written off blithely as a "characteristic" of the vehicle.

[Toxic_Avenger]

On the switch mech there are two white tabs which ratchet in one direction of the steering wheel, and catch in the other direction, cancelling the indicator stalk switch. Only one of these tabs is presented when the indicator is on left, or right.
There's some funky stuff happening inside the switch (springs, ball detents, brass roller contacts etc) so it can be pulled apart and serviced to some extent, but the switch proper may be the only part that is commercially available.

I'd start by removing the steering wheel and gaining access to the blinker mechanism, and looking at the white tabs, ensuring they are not broken or missing. From there you may be able to work out your options. Worst case, it's a 70 dollar part and about an hours labour (free if you DIY!)

I'm just going off an autopsy of a switch I have here, so not 100% sure how it interfaces with the steering wheel.

[trout1105]

16k's on the clock and something isn't fit for purpose and they call it a "Characteristic" is BS.

[Toxic_Avenger]

Even so, it appears OP has some choices to make:
1) Pursue warranty (which the vehicle is under)
2) Fix it at his/her own cost
3) Accept it and wear all consequences, if any.
Yes the switch may not be up to par with modern offerings, but let's face it- Defender (if you know what I mean). You want simple- the vehicle IS simple. You could literally rebuild the blinker mech out of fencing wire and solder if you needed to!

My opinion is that it's a (relatively) cheap part that could prevent a very costly problem (fines for not indicating or an accident which could worst case cause death of occupant or other road user). So in my mind, it's a relatively simple proposition of attempting recourse thru steps 1-3 above, in that order.

[Surrufus]

I have the same issue, cancels too soon in one direction, and way too late ( occasionally never ) in the other.
My dealer told me that nothing inside the steering column was adjustable, but they have replaced the switch once.
Last time I mentioned it I got the "It's a Defender thing" response.

[Graekynn]

I have the same issue, cancels too soon in one direction, and way too late ( occasionally never ) in the other.
My dealer told me that nothing inside the steering column was adjustable, but they have replaced the switch once.
Last time I mentioned it I got the "It's a Defender thing" response.

Nothing adjustable isn't strictly true. One thing I have read on other threads is that the selector ring has an arrow that needs to face in the direction of the blinker stalk when the wheels are straight ahead, if not it might cause symptoms like you're describing.

Seems that there are definitely mixed opinions and experiences with this issue. I wouldn't be so fussed if there were no potential safety or legal ramifications. I will see how the warranty replacement goes, I've decided that if I cant get a proper fix (not convinced about the 'its a defender thing' guff) I'll just remove the ring altogether so at least it will stay on when needed and get used to killing it myself.

[Dobby]

I've had the same problem with my 2014 Defender from day one. I've had it looked at a few times and they have replaced the switch at least once. The last I had the dealership have a look at the service manager said that they 'Couldn't replicate the fault' and made out that I must have imagined it all. With that response I asked if the mechanic or 'technician' as they seem to call them these days, had actually driven the vehicle. Naturally the mechanic had gone home for the day by the time I picked up the vehicle. It's only a little thing but I would have thought that it would only be a very simple and basic mechanism to cancel the indicators. It's never happened on any other car I've had including the two series three's that I've owned.

[DiscoMick]

Mine doesn't do it. Insist on a warranty replacement, I recommend.

[JayBoRover]

I had no problems until about 2 weeks ago when it suddenly decided to cancel early fairly regularly. Only in one direction - and typically, sitting here at the PC, I can't for the life of me figure which direction is the problem one[bigwhistle]. I used to have a similar problem crop up in my old Nissan GQ Patrol, and it was a nylon cam that would wear a "furry edge" and change its cancelling point. I figured this might be similar so was going to pull things apart soon. Having read this thread, looks like I might order a switch before I start playing.

[cuppabillytea]

My 2013 has done 67,000 and the indicator switch is still functioning normally.
I seem to remember doing an autopsy on a rover P6 indicator switch many moons ago and thinking that habitually holding the switch on when you knew it was going to turn off, would eventually stuff it.
BUT. If it's under warranty get it replaced. It could have been stuffed from the beginning. Don't swallow any of that crap about Defender foibles. Be a serious bloody nuisance. That is what you paid for.

[hpal]

I put a new Lucas switch in my td5 and now it doesn't cancel at all unless you're turning a very sharp corner. Pretty crap just like everything else on them.

[Tote]

Bugger, after reading this thread I noticed mine doing it today, its probably been doing it for a while and I haven't noticed....

Regards,
Tote

[SeanMurr123]

I had mine replaced under warranty at 20k with no questions asked and it's just started doing it again (now at 35k) so will be going back to get it fixed again. I'm glad someone brought up the cold thing because mine does it most when it's cold and I thought I was going mad..

[trout1105]

My D2 hasn't had any drama with this[bigwhistle]

[travelrover]

Have the same issue with my 99 Td5, (owned from new, 228kms) started late last year, right turn only. Replaced it with a genuine item and issue remains. Also my 96 Tdi300, replaced a month or so ago and problem still there, intermittent in both directions. As stated above just have to be aware and have your finger at the ready to wack it back on.

[slug_burner]

I have a MY 1995 defender and had no problem with the switch until last year. It has been replaced but I think I got reseasonable value out of mine.

They should replace the switch, it was not intended as a feature.

[Graekynn]

I appreciate the feedback guys, I'm getting it replaced this afternoon and will see if it solves the issue. Im just wondering for those who have experienced this issue, have you ever tried to engage the blinker while the wheel isn't completely straight causing it to clash with the ring?

I have this right turn lane where I need to signal as soon as I leave a roundabout and once or twice ive not been able to engage the blinker switch until I straighten a bit more and try again. I've certainly never forced it in, but would be interesting to see if theres a correlation cause its the only cause I can think of besides a faulty part.

[Greg4427]

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[DrytheRain]

My 110 is just over three years old, with 26k on the clock and has recently started doing this too. I asked the dealer workshop to check it out when the car was serviced earlier this week and, as usual, they weren't able to replicate the issue. It's become a little less frequent this week, but I'll be following it up. It's a nuisance and living in a town that has no traffic lights and a stack of roundabouts, it's dangerous too. It's interesting that a couple of you reckon it's worse when the car is cold. I think mine is more prone to it when cold as well.

[Graekynn]

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks, Well I got it replaced yesterday, and drove it home. Worked perfectly on the way back but this was afternoon with the car warm from the afternoon sun. So I figured the best test will be in the morning. I'm on the road at 5:30am, and it was 6 degrees this morning. Guess what....not a single fault. The blinker works the way a blinker should again!

I don't want to jinx it by saying my problems are over, but I would have safely bet the house on the old one acting up this morning, so as far as im concerned this whole 'characteristic of the vehicle' rubbish is just dealerships avoiding their obligations under warranty. Don't stand for it, whether the dealership wants to accept it or not, its a safety and legal issue and whether they can claim it back from JLR as a warranty issue is not my concern as a customer.

This whole replicating the issue thing is also another hurdle, but my solution to that is get your better half to film it occurring one morning as you drive and then show them the footage, as far as im concerned that's all the evidence they need!

[travelrover]

We have three Defenders in the family, and as mentioned early this problem, so far at least, is only effecting the two older vehicles. I guess just a matter of time :-)