Indicator Fuse Keeps Blowing

Hi PPL

Hope someone can help with an issue with my Freelander 1 L Series, everything was fine, but now when i indicate Left it blows Fuse 8 (Indicators) and cuts all power to the dashboard.

Ive changed the bulbs but it still happens, right indicators work fine, i think the problem seems to be with the front left indicator, ive checked the contacts and they seem fine, but thiers no wires attached to the bulb it just pulls out with its holder ??

Any ideas what could be the issue ??

Any help would be grately appreciated. Thx in advance.

BFleck said:

Any help would be grately appreciated. Thx in advance.

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Unplug the multi plug at the LH headlamp unit and see if that solves the blowing fuse issue. If so then it's likely an internal wiring fault in the headlamp assembly. Unfortunately they are effectively sealed, so unless you can sort the issue through one of the access holes, you'll need to replace the headlamp assembly.

Thx Nodge your always a wealth of knowledge, appreciate it i unplugged and yes the fuse didnt blow so just ordered another headlight unit on ebay for £18 so a bargain... thx for your help

Yeh, my L Series had a problem with the RH indicator. Not the same symptoms as yours. It blew a bulb and shortly after blew another. Closer inspection showed that a contact on the lamp unit for the bulb holder had literally burnt away. I managed to fill it will solder and the lights worked for quite a while, but eventually gave out. I swapped the lamp units over from my parts car to fix the problem.

Not the same symptoms as yours, but shows that the lamp units are vulnerable to failure around the indicator bulb.

Ok just an Update the cars still off the road .

Took it to my normal mechanic and got it throu its MOT, mentioned to him about this issue he said the 15 amp fuse in the indicator which kept blowing needed a 25 amp so he changed that and the indicators work and dont blow now but the left side (side lights wont work with the indicators now, and he couldnt fix this problem, and now a different fuse blows)........ Guess i will need to try to get an Auto Electrition out to have a look.......

Have you compared the fuses fitted to the fuse cover, which advises the correct fuse size to use?

BFleck said:

Ok just an Update the cars still off the road .

Took it to my normal mechanic and got it throu its MOT, mentioned to him about this issue he said the 15 amp fuse in the indicator which kept blowing needed a 25 amp so he changed that and the indicators work and dont blow now but the left side (side lights wont work with the indicators now, and he couldnt fix this problem, and now a different fuse blows)........ Guess i will need to try to get an Auto Electrition out to have a look.......

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I may stand corrected, but simply upping the fuse rating must be the ultimate bodge - and one likely to damage parts of the car's electrical system - or cause a fire to total the whole car.

Take the advice from @Hippo

Fuses protect the weakest part of the circuit which is the wiring.

GrumpyGel said:

I may stand corrected, but simply upping the fuse rating must be the ultimate bodge - and one likely to damage parts of the car's electrical system - or cause a fire to total the whole car.

Take the advice from @Hippo

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Hi i agree thats why i think i need to get it looked at by someone who knows what thier doing now

Thx

Did you replace the head lamp unit?

GrumpyGel said:

Did you replace the head lamp unit?

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Hi Grumpygel,

I had a replacement in the car but the mechanic said its not that, so he didnt event try it ? but i have lost confidence in him now after this fuse business, so im going to get the car back from him this week and try to replce it myself.

I mean its sitting thier in the passanger seat, i dont know why he didnt even try it, its not that hard to change is it ???

Thx

BFleck said:

its not that hard to change is it

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The front bumper needs removing so the lower mounting bolts can be accessed.

Nodge68 said:

The front bumper needs removing so the lower mounting bolts can be accessed.

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Ah Thx Nodge, was probably too much effort for him to try

Will have to take it to someone else once i get it back thx..........

Removing the bumper and replacing the lamp is not difficult in itself.

But it can be very frustrating.

There's lots of little screws around the edge that get very rusty and difficult to remove. If you can get them out though, its quite easy, so worth a go yourself.

See if you can get those screws out, if you can, then you'll be able to do the job.

Other than those, there's some easy to access screws and a couple of 'scrivets' (plastic screws) on the front/top and a bolt (IIRC 10mm) on each side up under the bumper at the top. The bumper will then just pull off and changing the lamp is dead easy.

If you have an A Bar on the front, that will need to come off first, and it will probably help to have someone to assist you slide the bumper back on.

Hippo said:

Fuses protect the weakest part of the circuit which is the wiring.

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Thanks @Hippo for reminding. Was looking through mine recently and wondering why there were different ones to the stated ones.

Just an update just got it back from the auto electrician a Wire in the rear left side was burnt throu, he said it was something to do with the tow bar electrics that has gone wrong causing the issue.

Fixed now and working thx for your info and help