Indicator light on panel intermittent, indicators fine

[zambo]

As the title suggests, the panel light doesn't flicker consistently when I engage the indicators. The lights externally work fine and [when I remember to turn the sound down on the radio] I can hear the flasher unit clicking correctly as well. 

 

This is on my E3, but as I have upgraded some years back to the electronic flasher [as on my '02] I assume the advice here will work [as it usually does on all my queries ?].

 

So could it be the flasher is starting to lose some of its function or is it more likely an earth at the dash unit? Or something else ...? Eliminating an element such as the flasher units - which are cheap to replace - first crossed my mind, but pulling all the under dash out on the E3 to get at the flasher is a 1.5 beer job , whereas replacing it on the 02 is a blink and you'll miss it exercise, so thought I'd tap the knowledge here first.

 

Cheers Rich

 

 

[2002iii]

I'd check the grounds and bulb sockets for corrosion before I took anything apart and put dielectric grease on after cleaning and replacing. Always check the easy stuff first. Think simple.

[Brandon]

4 hours ago, 2002iii said:

I'd check the grounds and bulb sockets for corrosion before I took anything apart and put dielectric grease on after cleaning and replacing. Always check the easy stuff first. Think simple.

I second this....usually bad grounds on the instrument cluster causes the indicator (along with fuel and temp gauge) problems.  Clean them up or add an extra ground wire to the cluster, that usually does the trick.

[zambo]

I’m all for the extra ground at the instrument console. I did that on my 02 and it immediately fixed that fluctuation you get on things like the fuel gauge when the original ground connection isn’t squared away.

It will give me something to muck about with this weekend.

[Mike Self]

If that doesn't work, and you still have the OEM flasher unit (and not one of the solid state replacements) drop me a PM and I'll send you a column I did on how to fix the flasher unit so the inside light blinks properly.

 

mike

[akfjord]

Just had similar issue. Swapping out the flasher relay for a used spare I had in the tool box fixed the issue. Planning to take apart faulty one and try and fix it per Mike instructions for the win.

Edited September 13, 2019 by akfjord

[zambo]

Thanks Mike and Akfjord

 

I installed the electronic flasher 5 years back and was always totally reliable until very recently ... not sure of their lifespans but will try freshening up the ground points as it's always good policy and add an additional ground for the instrument console - also good policy. If that doesn't work, I will sub the same electronic flasher unit out of my '02 [which is still up on stands unfortunately ?] and see if that sorts it out.