Weird Indicator Problem

[jonny3303]

Hi to All. It's my first post here and I would like to thank this amazing forum for solving most of my problems.

I'm just about to set off on my holidays and typically my Boxster's developed a small but irritating problem.

The RH indicator flashes at twice the speed as the LH side. The hazards work fine and it doesn't seem like a fuse problem. Does anyone know the cause?

Cheers, Jonny

2000 Boxster S Tip. RHD

Edited August 7, 2007 by jonny3303

[Richard Hamilton]

Check the indicator bulbs. If one of them blows it puts less load on the indicator relay, and they tend to flash faster.

[fasterjames]

Check the indicator bulbs. If one of them blows it puts less load on the indicator relay, and they tend to flash faster.

I'd agree with Richard. 'Typically' the relationship for the turn signals / indicators is front back. In other words, if your Right Front bulb is flashing at doubletime, then it's your Right Rear that has burned out or has become unstable.

I haven't had to change any on my Boxster yet so the relationship may be different.

[jonny3303]

Well after alot of confusement, it wasn't the bulb. The electrical connector in the car that engages with the headlight unit was slightly off hence not making full contact. Thanks all for your replies and putting me in the right direction. Jonny

[fasterjames]

glad to hear it. Have a great holiday and enjoy the ride

[jonny3303]

glad to hear it. Have a great holiday and enjoy the ride

cheers fasterjames

[TheOriginalGreenMachine]

Just for anyone visiting this page like I did many years later, it's also worth checking the electrical connections where the indicator bulb holder connects to the headlight cluster, as this can become loose and give an intermittent indicator bulb failure, and is easy to confuse with the symptoms listed above. 

 

This is the testing procedure I followed that helped me to identify this issue in my car - posting to help others.. 

 

• Remove the offending headlamp unit and confirm the continuity of the offending blub.
• Test for current at the wing-connection to the headlight referenced in jonny3303's post above by getting a test lamp to illuminate (the indicators are the second pair of female connectors from the top on the car side).
• Remove the indicator bulb holder from its recess and the electrical plug that connects it to the headlamp (see pic).
• Bridge the two male connections on the headlamp-side of the connection and test for continuity at the poles on the indicator end (ie. testing the headlamp unit itself). 
• Then test for continuity between the bulb holder and the electrical plug that connects it to the headlamp.
• Supply power direct to the male headlamp connections (crocodile clips connected via a battery) and squeeze the plastic shroud (black plastic connector) that holds the electrical plug to the underlying poles. If the bulb illuminates the shroud has become loose causing an intermittent failure.
• Remove the shroud (black plastic connector) entirely, solder new connections that provide a strong interference fit to the poles, insulate them, and reassemble everything. 

Edited April 23, 2018 by TheOriginalGreenMachine