Series 3 Flasher Relay

Mt flasher relay for the indicators failed on the way to its MOT so subsequently failed the MOT. I fitted a new one and went back for a retest no problem. However this has now failed as well about a week later. Sometimes it will not work at all and other times the lights will come on but not flash.
I have a 2pin flasher for the indicators and then a separate 4pin flasher for the hazards. The hazards still work so there is no problem with the lighting side of circuit and the 2pin relay has power going into it. So it seems the problem lays with either the relay, or the switch.
What can cause flasher relays to fail?
Might is just have been a bad replacement (bearmach) as it was only a couple of pounds of ebay?

Could be a mechanical issue. Check the plastic tabs inside the steering column. They are part of the flashing function.Sometimes they are loose and need fixing. I had same problem. Easy to get access.

Just to check - did you get out and see all four going when you operated the hazard lights? If yes, then agreed that that bit of wiring is OK.

I'd say that it's possible that the new relay is at fault, but to have two fail in rapid succession is not very likely. My bet would be that there's a broken wire or dodgy connector that you nudged when you were replacing the original relay - which may well have been OK. Could also be at the switch if you had that apart at the same time? Patience and a voltmeter are your best hope here - trouble in the birds nest of the panel is not fun. And mine always did that at the MOT place, never on the way.

Yes all four hazards are definitely working, I have tried fault finding with a voltmeter but everything seems to be working fine. If you bypass the flasher unit each side's lights come on with the switch and stay on rather than flash. I will get another flasher unit and try that but because both failed in quick succession am thinking there is an underlying fault somewhere.

Get a electronic version of flasher capable of carrying more current and thus more durable.
I have a defender one in mine does turn , hazards and trailer.

I think that is what i have running my hazards, but the turn signals are wired to a separate 2 pin relay. If so I will do some investigating to work out how to get it to do everything. You don't have a wiring diagram for your set up do you?

I used a two pole rocker switch to get hazards. Sketch and parts used in attached pdf

Are you sure its not the feed to the switch at the steering column or the fuse. I had a lot of this until I cleaned out and retensioned my fuse holders

Bringing an older thread back, I am still having problems with my flasher relay. I recently fitted a new indicator switch and a new relay and the relay has again failed after about two weeks. Having tried to install a tow socket today I have noticed that all the rear wiring is appalling and I am surprised that any of the rear lights worked at all (lots of twisted wire and tape connections). Is this likely to be a cause of the relay failing? I plan on rewiring the rear to tidy it up anyway. is this likley to be a caus efor the relay failing or am i going to have to keep looking?

If you know your wiring is dodgy, then that is the first thing to fix. Otherwise you will be chasing your tail. Taped joints can last quite a while if the joint is in a nice clean vibration free environment. I don't know about your landy, but mine has no such environment unless it's parked under cover with the engine off. The dodgy wiring may not be the cause of your indicators issue but it will be the cause of future issues sooner or later. Good luck

Col

I'd rewire it first and then see how you get on. I just renewed the tow bar connections via a Rubbolite box (all were green and furry and/or corroded but all seemed to work other than either indicator) and the feed from the front of the truck is a bit tight, almost impossible. I renewed some of the rear wiring due poor connectors (and a good few of them) and removed lots of dead wiring. Got the cable here as they have a good choice of colours with tracers so tried to match up existing for ease of reference in the future.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261181791935?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Rubbolite box link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RUBBOLITE...646973?hash=item35db305ebd:g:bnwAAOxyiRlSbnhs
FFG

I had a similar problem with mine. I changed the relay and cleaned and put new bolts in the earths and it sorted it. I have heard that bad earths are a common cause of this problem.

I am going to rewire the rear end to sort this out. I am just waiting for the part to arrive. looking at its current state I am surprised it had lasted as long as it did. i have had it 5 years now and never had it apart as it all worked.

DR0844 said:

I changed the relay and cleaned and put new bolts in the earths and it sorted it

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Which earth bolts did you clean and replace? Ones in the dash itself of the chassis/engine bolts for the earth straps?

dag019 said:

I am going to rewire the rear end to sort this out. I am just waiting for the part to arrive. looking at its current state I am surprised it had lasted as long as it did. i have had it 5 years now and never had it apart as it all worked.



Which earth bolts did you clean and replace? Ones in the dash itself of the chassis/engine bolts for the earth straps?

Click to expand...

I did the ones that earthed from the light lenses.

DR0844 said:

I did the ones that earthed from the light lenses.

Click to expand...

Thank you, that may have just solved my problem. Currently the earth cables for the rear lights are not connected to anything and are just earthed through the screw attaching the light fitting to the body. I was planning on fitting good earths to them as part of the rewiring. Once the parts have arrived and I have done this I let you know if that solves my problem.

Having stripped out the wiring at the rear to try and repair it, it look like a previous owner has already tried to repair it a couple of times. It is not the original loom and has been made using 7 core trailer wire that has multiple joins along its length so I think it is time to start again. Is auto sparks the best place to get a replacement loom or can anyone recommend another supplier?