Arghh - damn main beam flash dodgy again!

LRD90tdi · Jun 2, 2015

So it's MOT time a week and my blinking (pun intended) flash unit has packed up again!

Can you picture the little brass-on-brass contacts on the stalk that touch when you pull back the leaver? It is this that stops making a good connection.

If I clean them up the flasher will work for a week or so, and give up (even with a rub with a fine sand paper and coating of contact cleaner)!

This is my second flasher unit - admittedly the last replacement was s/h.

Any tips!?

Thanks
Tom

zeaphod · Jun 2, 2015

The switches should last for years, given that you're only using it once in a blue moon. Have a close look at the contacts - do they show signs of burning/pitting? If you have spots, fit a relay.

LRD90tdi · Jun 2, 2015

zeaphod said:
The switches should last for years, given that you're only using it once in a blue moon. Have a close look at the contacts - do they show signs of burning/pitting? If you have spots, fit a relay.

Hi, and thanks for your reply.

I don't have any spots.

The contacts look ok, and I can't see why when I take the cowl off each time they shouldn't work. It takes but a few seconds of messing about and they're perfect again.

I was told I could put them on a switch on the dash, but I don't like that idea...

I'll see if I can get a good quality close up with a proper camera later in the state they are in now - ie non functioning.

Cheers
Tom

cowasaki · Jun 2, 2015

It could be a loose connection where the wires from the switch join the loom. Take off the cowling, switch the lights on with high beam and mess with the wiring until the lights go out or flicker. This is basically the way to go about locating what is an intermittent fault.

LRD90tdi · Jun 2, 2015

cowasaki said:
It could be a loose connection where the wires from the switch join the loom. Take off the cowling, switch the lights on with high beam and mess with the wiring until the lights go out or flicker. This is basically the way to go about locating what is an intermittent fault.

Hi, and thanks.

Nothing wrong with your logic, but the connection starts to work immediately after you clean it, or at least that's how it appears.

I'll be a lot more methodical now it has done it again, and won't touch the contact points until I have had a thorough wiggle and a play with everything else!

Damn landy!

Thanks
Tom

LRD90tdi · Jun 4, 2015

Right, I took the wheel shroud off and had a good look and play with these pesky electrics, and even took a video, but I have't yet uploaded it. To get a better look I went as far as removing the steering wheel (few whacks with my palms to loosen was all that was needed, which amazed me!), and then indicator stalk itself.

The two connections touch, but unless I slide a small flat head between the points the main beam remains off. Alternatively, I can apply a small amount of pressure to force the connection together so a firmer connection is made, and it works.

The connections are clean, and definitely making contact with each other, so it is rather puzzling why pressure is needed; why is electrickery so reluctant to behave!?

Incidentally, when you flick main beam on which did work) it now refuses to, and these contacts are also clean.

I can understand the main beam issue, but not the flash.

If I borrow a soldering iron, and melt some solder onto the contacts do you think that would do the trick?

The contacts are so tiny it is hard to see if the surface is pitted, but I would of thought even then it should work once cleaned...

Thanks
Tom

cowasaki · Jun 4, 2015

LRD90tdi said:
Right, I took the wheel shroud off and had a good look and play with these pesky electrics, and even took a video, but I have't yet uploaded it. To get a better look I went as far as removing the steering wheel (few whacks with my palms to loosen was all that was needed, which amazed me!), and then indicator stalk itself.

The two connections touch, but unless I slide a small flat head between the points the main beam remains off. Alternatively, I can apply a small amount of pressure to force the connection together so a firmer connection is made, and it works.

The connections are clean, and definitely making contact with each other, so it is rather puzzling why pressure is needed; why is electrickery so reluctant to behave!?

Incidentally, when you flick main beam on which did work) it now refuses to, and these contacts are also clean.

I can understand the main beam issue, but not the flash.

If I borrow a soldering iron, and melt some solder onto the contacts do you think that would do the trick?

The contacts are so tiny it is hard to see if the surface is pitted, but I would of thought even then it should work once cleaned...

Thanks
Tom

You could cut off the connectors and crimp the wires together but some type of surface cleaner might be better. Is the connector pushed all the way home?

LRD90tdi · Jun 4, 2015

cowasaki said:
You could cut off the connectors and crimp the wires together but some type of surface cleaner might be better. Is the connector pushed all the way home?

Hi again,

The connection I refer to is the bare brass looking ones on the mechanism which moves as the lever is operated; the rubber bullet connections are fine.

I'll try and recover my youtube login and upload the video - it would help clarify it.

I am in the process of tracking down another unit just in case.

Cheers
Tom

mick the builder · Jun 4, 2015

How about the tiniest dab of vaseline or something.

The Mad Hat Man · Jun 4, 2015

do the Relay mod - see CFAQ section

LRD90tdi · Jun 4, 2015

mick the builder said:
How about the tiniest dab of vaseline or something.

I did wonder about that, but the gap when, er 'resting' is very small, and as the main beam flash works without the keys (should it?) I'd be scared of a connection happening on its own to be honest Mick.

The Mad Hat Man said:
do the Relay mod - see CFAQ section

Hi, and thank you for the link, and for sharing the post in the CF&Q section originally!

Wiring makes me shudder, but I'll concede I need to man up!

Thanks again - I'll see if I can muster the confidence to try it.

Tom

cowasaki · Jun 4, 2015

LRD90tdi said:
Hi again,

The connection I refer to is the bare brass looking ones on the mechanism which moves as the lever is operated; the rubber bullet connections are fine.

I'll try and recover my youtube login and upload the video - it would help clarify it.

I am in the process of tracking down another unit just in case.

Cheers
Tom

I've got a new switch here that I bought but didn't need. If I remember rightly they are not particularly expensive. Are you using genuine switches or aftermarket.

LRD90tdi · Jun 4, 2015

cowasaki said:
I've got a new switch here that I bought but didn't need. If I remember rightly they are not particularly expensive. Are you using genuine switches or aftermarket.

I couldn't tell, but I've just ordered one that will be with me tomorrow and at £20 incl delivery (s/h) it was cheap enough.

Just keen to get the steering wheel back on so I can use it again at the weekend.

Cheers
Tom

Arghh - damn main beam flash dodgy again!

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