Grandmaster Flatcap Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 My O/S side indicator has packed in. Bulb is fine, crossed checked with N/S holder. Checked with multimeter and +ve supply is good. How can I check the -ve? Where does the other end of the -ve wire connect to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 8, 2016 Member Share Posted August 8, 2016 All other lights OK? Check continuity of the other terminal in the bulb holder to a good earth. Rig a temporary wire from a good earth to that terminal and check that the bulb then illuminates.Once those confirm the problem work backwards from that terminal through its connection to the wire, then any connectors and so on.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmaster Flatcap Posted August 8, 2016 Author Share Posted August 8, 2016 All other lights are OK.The holder is, I think, non standard Caterham and appears to be sealed, so doing your suggested checks may have to be "destructive". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 8, 2016 Member Share Posted August 8, 2016 The first test should be feasible at the point of contact with the bulb...What connectors can you find? Should be the black wires.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim 123 Posted August 8, 2016 Share Posted August 8, 2016 The side indicator -'ve is normally routed into the hedlamp casing and earthed along with the main lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 8, 2016 Member Share Posted August 8, 2016 In that case I'd be looking hard at the connection of both ends of that final earth wire.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Slotter Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 My side repeaters are earthed to the wing stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Normally earthed under the wing on the top stay. Prime spot for corrosion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmaster Flatcap Posted August 9, 2016 Author Share Posted August 9, 2016 Thanks for the replies so far gents. I'm away from the car until the weekend, so will check then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim 123 Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 Side repeaters are usually earthed to the wing stay. Indicators (i.e. the flashy things under the headlights) have their earth lead routed up the headlamp mount and to the headlamp internals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john milner Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 The -ve of my side indicators were glued to the wing stays. I extended the wiring to the main chassis and used a bolt somewhere to earth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McKenzie Posted August 9, 2016 Share Posted August 9, 2016 99% it's a bad earth on the wingstay. Clean the area to bare metal with a small wire brush in the drill, replace the connector and attach with a new screw. Dab of Hammerite over the lot, jobs a good 'un Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug phillips Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Mine stopped working after I had wing come lose, of course I only found out after I had soldered the wires back together The bulb was ok, and checking with a multimeter I had power and a good earth. So something in the bulb holder it's self had broken and was not making contact with the bulb, I just replaced it in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 10, 2016 Member Share Posted August 10, 2016 So something in the bulb holder it's self had broken and was not making contact with the bulb...Yes. I've had two of those (in other lamps) on the 7, and several others, including, for some reason, a disproportionately high number on tow boards.99% it's a bad earth on the wingstay. Could be.Could be no contact from bulbholder to bulb, or internal discontinuity in wire, although those are pretty rare.But why speculate*? See post #2.Jonathan* I had a faint hope that the derivation might be through a little reflector, but it isn't. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 10, 2016 Member Share Posted August 10, 2016 Nigel: is the offending lamp the indicator under the headlamp, or a repeater on the wing or side?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmaster Flatcap Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 JK it's the repeater on the cycle wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 10, 2016 Member Share Posted August 10, 2016 Thanks, Nigel.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 10, 2016 Member Share Posted August 10, 2016 If it comes to replacement I've got an unused pair. From the factory in 1998, similar to those in the picture but the amber part is symmetrical.http://caterhamparts.co.uk/img/p/4922-5300-large.jpgJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McKenzie Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 "But why speculate*? See post #2."Because if that isn't the problem now, it will be soon...so look at it as a bit of preventative maintenance at worst, and as I said, very likely the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 15, 2016 Member Share Posted August 15, 2016 Did you find the cause?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmaster Flatcap Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share Posted August 16, 2016 Hi JK.. Yes, new earth strap and a clean up of the earth point sorted it.Thanks to for the help & info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 16, 2016 Member Share Posted August 16, 2016 Thanks. Well done.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now