356C indicator troubles

tparker · Post by **tparker** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:59 pm

Can anyone suggest a solution for the following?

I have a US spec 356 C on 6 volt electrics and the indicators are playing up.

the relay (under the dash which plugs into a dedicated point) looks original so I have tried two replacements - the first relay does nothing - the second puts the tell tale light on all the time.

power is getting to the relay and all individual lamps have decent earths.

When the brake lights are on and you are indicating, the opposite brake light is on when the other flashes.

Q. do I need a specific relay because of this quirk?
Q. could the indicator stalk switch be at fault?

Any suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:30 pm

Tony

Have you just got the car?

Has it ever been working correctly?

If you've just got the car - the rear brakelight is wired with the indicator cct so when you indicate the brakelight flashes on and off.

Check the brakelight and indicator bulb - if its a single filament bulb then this is normal.

To get it to run uk style you will need to -

Change the brakelight lampholder for one that will accept a twin filament lamp. (I think PRS have them)

Fit a twin filament lamp (stop and tail)

Then run a new wire from the brakelight switch on the brake master cylinder and connect it in to the new lampholder.

Connect the original wire to the indicator terminal on the new lampholder and it should all work fine!

I think thats correct - rushing a bit cos my teas ready! - any problems post again

Steve

tparker · Post by **tparker** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:18 pm

Steve,

Thanks for your response - had the car a couple of years now and the problem is quite recent. Sorry didn't make that clear in my post.

everything was fine previously so a bit stumped..

Tony

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:28 am

Tony - no probs!

Still sound like a dodgy earth to me - although they look good I'd be tempted to check your earths by making up a fly lead, turning the indicators on and going to each indicator in turn and earthing whilst in on and in the 'fault' condition.

Quick and easy - might thow up some light.

Steve

tparker · Post by **tparker** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:51 pm

Steve,

You were right - an earth problem at the warning light end - all sorted now.

p.s do you own the 356 Tim Barnard was telling me about?

Cheers again,

Tony

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:34 pm

Probably - if he mentioned a rusty RHD B??

Glad you sorted yer problem Tony - post if you get any more I'll try my best - where bouts are you, must be near ish if you know Tim?

Steve

tparker · Post by **tparker** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:30 pm

Steve,

sounds like the same car - I live in Winchester.

Tony

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:12 pm

Not rusty anymore! - Give me a shout if you find youself in this neck of the woods - Steve