Wiring Problem On Indicators

[Smithster92 2]

Hi again, ive got a 205 1.1 with front ns indicator issues the front or side repeter do not work, ive tryed the bulb carries from both in the other side and they work ao it cant be them, from a test light its showing theres power gettin there and an earth, im confused i think it might be shortin somewhere but do not no where to start or what to do, helppp cheers

[glenwah 20]

If it was a short then you wouldn't get any power as it would be shorting to earth, try cleaning the contacts.

[Smithster92 2]

What with? It seem when i have been using a test light that the live and earth are coming through the same terminal :s

[glenwah 20]

Contact cleaner and give the terminals a scrape with a small screwdriver or similar, you cannot have live and earth at the same terminal, it's one or the other, are you testing it with the bulb disconnected?

[Smithster92 2]

Yes with the bulb disconected

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

It'll be the front panel earth point imo, just inside the headlamps at each side hidden under a rubber / plastic bag & its a common problem.

 

You can test this by putting a spare length of wire into the back of the indicator plug (or the plug which splits off to the side repeater) & run it to the battery earth, I expect they will work again.

 

One practice is to remove the earth blocks, cutting the spade connectors off & crimp ring terminals onto the ends.

 

Use the bolt which holds the earth point to the front panel through the ring terminals & bolt them directly to the front panel earth point.

 

g

[glenwah 20]

I did consider that but he said he had earth, if its good enough to light a test lamp it should be good enough to make the indicators work, wouldn't the headlight also be affected?

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

I agree it could be the terminals have gone green making them high resistance but I had an earth when testing with a multimeter on mine & it would often fail intermittently when driving so I replaced the earth points as mentioned above & its never done it since.

 

It only seems to affect the front & side indicators as they are splitting the power & earth between them.

 

The headlight goes directly to the earth point from the bulb connector.

 

g

[Smithster92 2]

Okay mate will try what u said tomorow and let u know. Thankyou for your help so far

[Smithster92 2]

Problem solved thanks to pug_ham i wouldnt have been anywherenear if it wouldnt have been for you, cheers

[ScoobyJawa 23]

I agree it could be the terminals have gone green making them high resistance but I had an earth when testing with a multimeter on mine & it would often fail intermittently when driving so I replaced the earth points as mentioned above & its never done it since.

 

It only seems to affect the front & side indicators as they are splitting the power & earth between them.

 

The headlight goes directly to the earth point from the bulb connector.

 

g

Mine has a similar issue on the drivers side, the front indicator and repeater don't work, but neither does the headlight. Checked all the bulbs and they work. I'm going to have a go at re earthing, but would this fix the headlight too, as if I read right it goes direct anyway....

[cheesegrater 43 1 Cars]

Yup

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

I'm going to have a go at re earthing, but would this fix the headlight too, as if I read right it goes direct anyway....

 

They use the same earth point so it should do if you remove the original earth point & reterminate them all with ring terminals.

 

Have you checked for power to the bulb & does the full beam work?

 

g

[ScoobyJawa 23]

Oooo can't remember on full beam, I don't think so, iirc it was only the driving light, but time to recheck....

 

Ta

Edited February 19, 2013 by ScoobyJawa

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

iirc it was only the driving light, but time to recheck....

 

Ta

 

Driving light or headlight?

 

Driving lights can very often be due to badly corroded terminals in the yellow plugs if you have power to the headlights for main / full beam.

 

g

[ScoobyJawa 23]

I've done a definitive test now (pass side all fine)

 

Turn Hazards on - all fine except drivers side indicator and repeater.

 

Turn Sidelights on - Headlight bulb comes on very dull, sidelight not on.

 

Turn Headlights on - Headlight bulb gets brighter than when lit on sidelights, but not full brightness.

 

Turn Full Beam on - Headlight bulb stays roughly the same as with Headlights on, no driving light (this has been rewired at the light, but not under bonnet).

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

I've done a definitive test now (pass side all fine)

 

Turn Hazards on - all fine except drivers side indicator and repeater.

 

Turn Sidelights on - Headlight bulb comes on very dull, sidelight not on.

 

Turn Headlights on - Headlight bulb gets brighter than when lit on sidelights, but not full brightness.

 

Turn Full Beam on - Headlight bulb stays roughly the same as with Headlights on, no driving light (this has been rewired at the light, but not under bonnet).

 

Is the sidelight bulb OK? Try the sidelight holder from the passenger side to see if that gets it working & to test the o/s one. You might have a corroded or broken terminal in the plug, I've seen this before.

 

It is normal for the headlight to come on at low power (1/6th power) through the dim-dip system fitted to the 205 GTI with just the sidelights turned on.

 

If you have a suitable length of wire, push it into the back of the earth wire (green & yellow) at the side repeater loom plug behind the headlight & earth it where you can, if this gets them both working then you have a poor earth which is causing your problem.

 

I've seen some very green driving lights plugs in the engine bay, the connection at the light unit doesn't usually get too bad as its sealed away from the elements when the light is fitted.

 

g

[ScoobyJawa 23]

Cheers mate. I've tested the sidelight bulb in the other side and it works fine, the holder itself looks to be ok too, but I'll check it out anyway.

 

Will also test the earth with some wire. Is the driving light connection in the same place as all the others for the drivers side, I'll check that out too?

[pug_ham 245 3 Cars]

Is the driving light connection in the same place as all the others for the drivers side, I'll check that out too?

 

Yes, it should be somewhere nearby at the back of the headlamp, a two pin yellow connector.

 

g

[ScoobyJawa 23]

Got chance to look at this today. Earth block was completely fubared, bent and knackered and green!!

 

Cut the earth leads out of the plug, put ring ends on, fixed directly to the earth point and bingo, everything is up and running again.

 

Top man Graham Thanks for the help!