Smoke from indicator switch / not working

Hi
Just got a Defender 110 hard top, 300tdi -96.
When picking it up the indicator switch wouldn't stay in high beam mode, instead it would immediately flip back. Now the same has happened to the left indicator and not only that, when turning it to left today there was little bit of electric smoke coming out from the switch area.

Any idea what could be causing the problem and how to solve it?
Thanks

sirredarre said:

Hi
Just got a Defender 110 hard top, 300tdi -96.
When picking it up the indicator switch wouldn't stay in high beam mode, instead it would immediately flip back. Now the same has happened to the left indicator and not only that, when turning it to left today there was little bit of electric smoke coming out from the switch area.

Any idea what could be causing the problem and how to solve it?
Thanks

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sorry i cant help. but i really have heard it all now, is there anything that cant happen to a landy??, hope you get a fix for this, I'm certain someone on here will be able to help.

I would say the switch is knakered and shorting out. I would change it before you start an electrical fire, then your in a world of pain.

All things electric run on smoke and when the smoke escapes it's fooked.

I seem to remember someone selling new bottled replacement smoke for Lucas electrical systems.

vape smoke fault e2887509888hg

Back in the day, when the British still had a motorcycle industry and they all fitted Lucas kit, they were known as Joe Lucas Prince of Darkness.

Depending on where the landy was used before you got it, the switch could be full of farm dust/oily crap. Take the covers off and have a look. Give it a blast with brake cleaner, it might just work. I'd be ordering a new switch anyway.

I always thought there was 3 phase electricity, making hot, making light, and spinning round. Obviously some making hot has leaked into the making light, and is warming the switch so it smokes. Or does this only work with ac

jimwyllie said:

I always thought there was 3 phase electricity, making hot, making light, and spinning round. Obviously some making hot has leaked into the making light, and is warming the switch so it smokes. Or does this only work with ac

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You keep taking the medication Jim.

Wimblowdriver said:

Back in the day, when the British still had a motorcycle industry and they all fitted Lucas kit, they were known as Joe Lucas Prince of Darkness.

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One of my daughters ex-boyfriends is called 'Lucas' by his mates ... he's a stage lighting / sound hand ...

zeaphod said:

Depending on where the landy was used before you got it, the switch could be full of farm dust/oily crap. Take the covers off and have a look. Give it a blast with brake cleaner, it might just work. I'd be ordering a new switch anyway.

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Some of the older switches are badly soldered and get hot, melting into the plastic holders and 'boof' ... warm and smoke ...

Dippypud said:

Some of the older switches are badly soldered and get hot, melting into the plastic holders and 'boof' ... warm and smoke ...

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poorly constructed components.....on a land rover..?.....surely not..!

Yeah, sounds like a faulty switch .. see .. I can read ..

I've suffered a fire (a few actually) in the wiring and would recommend not going there, change the switch, if not the whole lot.

There is very helpful 'How-to...' on headlights, changing wiring, relays and switches to help the older vehicle cope with the ravages of time ...

do the relay mod in the CFAQ section

I replaced the switch and had the problem resolved. Thanks for the support!
Another electrical matter, on one of the rear left bulbs. Is this normal and all I need is to replace the bulb - or is this actually indicating something worse?

Looks like the globe got wet whilst it was hot and 'pop' !

sirredarre said:

I replaced the switch and had the problem resolved. Thanks for the support!
Another electrical matter, on one of the rear left bulbs. Is this normal and all I need is to replace the bulb - or is this actually indicating something worse?
View attachment 112979

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That white smoke effect is normally a sign of a poor seal in the bulb envelope so the vacuum is lost and the filament burns up. Just change it. Your other thread mentions 24v, worth going around all the bulbs to make sure they are 24v ones. If someone has put 12v headlamp bulbs in the excessive current (until they blow) could be the cause of your headlight switch overheating (which also needs replacing).