indicator fault but not as we know it Jim.... Help please!!!

Frags · Post by **Frags** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:47 pm

I need a little help as I have spent a few hours searching for the cause of my left indicator.
Simply I indicate left, the 'clicking' is in double time which often indicates (haha) a blown bulb. Unfort this isnt the case.

The dash light doesnt work either, nor the external signal bulbs. I have tested all the bulbs and basically gone over everything I can think of... so before I pull the car to bits can anyone help me! ?
I'm not technically / mechanically minded - but happy to tinker so simple instructions would be grand!

I have a manual 1990 1.6l if that offers any help

Euen · Post by **Euen** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:12 pm

The NA has a single flasher unit that is used for both hazards and indicators however the 2 circuits have independent power feeds. Hazards are fed from the "Hazard" fuse and indicators from the "Meter" fuse. Hazard fuse is unswitched while the Meter fuse is on the "Ignition On" side.

Firstly check to see what happens when you switch on your hazards.

I am not sure but it is possible that the indicator switch just activates the flasher which switches power provided by the hazard fuse to the lamps. If the hazard fuse is blown, then the flasher would possibly still work but there would be no illumination.

If your car is an jap import, hopefully this link will help identify the fuses.
http://www.mx5club.org.nz/maintenance/fuses/

Good luck
Euen

brownie · Post by **brownie** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 10:01 pm

Replace the Green box under the steering colum area that has flasher/hazard relay on it,9/10 this is the fault,if this does not work take it to a auto sparky if you are not confidant to go further,Easier than stuffing it up and costing more to fix the stuff up.
Relay will take 1 minute to change,if that.
Easyest way to get to it is drop the panel below steering coloum get a torch ,turn the indicator on and follow the noise.
The relay is fairly common to most Mazda's ,just make sure the numbers match ,3211 xxx xxx or something like that,Frezzing in CH CH at the moment and i can't remember them.

Post by **zorruno** » Sat Jul 05, 2008 11:32 pm

FWIW there are wiring diagrams here if you don't have them - but I assume the service manual does...

http://www.madracki.com/miata/wiring.html

KSCRIM · Post by **KSCRIM** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:56 pm

Usually the reason for fast flasher clicking is a shorted bulb or wiring.
(Excess current causes the flasher unit to cycle too fast).
Unplug all the bulbs on the left side and see if the fast clicking is still there. If so then there is a short in the wiring somewhere.
The usual fault is slow blinking caused by 1 of the bulbs being open.

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:05 pm

im not sure i agree with above. Usually the fast flashing is due to an OPEN circuit somewhere not a short. basically the flasher uses the bulbs load to time the flash unit. The more load the slower the flash and vice versa.
If its flashing fast but no lamps going then i would suggest that the wiring from the flash unit (probably the plug) is faulty or the flasher itself is faulty internally.

I would also check your earth points by the headlights and under the windscreen wiper motor on the chassis.

brownie · Post by **brownie** » Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:42 pm

as i said ,Green box under the dash,Hazard/flasher relay,I sell Mazda car parts and know what sells when flashers stop working but bulbs are ok,
I can't give you any flash whys or wherefores but i can tell you what will fix the problem.

Frags · Post by **Frags** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:29 am

Looks like I have a few options to try..... but to add a bit more to this heres what has also happened. - seems that this fault has a life of its own and now the indicator works?? Must have known I was seeking help.

Just to support some of the issues, when the fault occurs, the hazard only signals the right hand side, the left hand side doesn't work, nor the dash indicator.

I'll play round with it over the next few days and let you know what I find, but again, thanks heaps for teh advice!

G

Post by **zorruno** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:15 pm

Do you have an aftermarket car alarm in the car?

Frags · Post by **Frags** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 4:00 pm

Hi Zorruno

No flash alarms, nothing added at all... its a bog standard MX5 jap import - just the way Mazda intended

mazline · Post by **mazline** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:23 pm

Find this box !!

Post by **zorruno** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:06 pm

on 7/07/2008 5:23 p.m. mazline wrote:

Find this box !!

How can we keep suggesting ways to fix it if you insist on giving the
correct answer straight away?

mazline · Post by **mazline** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 1:43 pm

I'm a helpful bugger some days

Frags · Post by **Frags** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:32 pm

Hi Mazline

Thanks for the photo and info... I take it this is under the steering column?

mazline · Post by **mazline** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 5:33 pm

yep,It's a grey box not green one mounted to the right of the steering column about the size of a ciggarette packet.
So long as the numbers match it does't matter what model mazda it comes out of,We get $35+gst for them as a idea,if you get stuck we do have one ,$43 all up including delivery by courier overnight.
Regards
Mark

Frags · Post by **Frags** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:37 am

Thanks heaps Mark.... as its now working again (must be seasonal or something) I'll plod along and see how I go... but thanks again for all your help... this will save fixing it with a hammer....