Technical front indicators not working

[sprie]

All the other indicators on the van work (i.e. ones at back, and little side repeaters). They work on pressing Hazard button and also using the indicator stalk.
They flash quicker than they should.
I have checked both the bulbs - they are both fine, whilst one is old and the other looks new, they are both rated 21W (as i believe they should be). I have anyway got a pair of replacements on order, but i don't believe this is a bulb issue.

With the earth on the battery disconnected, I put a multi-meter on the connectors to the front side lights, testing for connection to earth (using bolt on the van body). I got connectivity to earth for both terminals in the connector. And i got this on both sides.
I presume this is not correct and indicates some problem in the loom?
In general, the loom looks fine, all the wires are enclosed in the plastic loom conduit.

I don't know where to look next or what i can test.

 

[bugsymike]

All the other indicators on the van work (i.e. ones at back, and little side repeaters). They work on pressing Hazard button and also using the indicator stalk.
They flash quicker than they should.
I have checked both the bulbs - they are both fine, whilst one is old and the other looks new, they are both rated 21W (as i believe they should be). I have anyway got a pair of replacements on order, but i don't believe this is a bulb issue.

With the earth on the battery disconnected, I put a multi-meter on the connectors to the front side lights, testing for connection to earth (using bolt on the van body). I got connectivity to earth for both terminals in the connector. And i got this on both sides.
I presume this is not correct and indicates some problem in the loom?
In general, the loom looks fine, all the wires are enclosed in the plastic loom conduit.

I don't know where to look next or what i can test.

All the other indicators on the van work (i.e. ones at back, and little side repeaters). They work on pressing Hazard button and also using the indicator stalk.
They flash quicker than they should.
I have checked both the bulbs - they are both fine, whilst one is old and the other looks new, they are both rated 21W (as i believe they should be). I have anyway got a pair of replacements on order, but i don't believe this is a bulb issue.

With the earth on the battery disconnected, I put a multi-meter on the connectors to the front side lights, testing for connection to earth (using bolt on the van body). I got connectivity to earth for both terminals in the connector. And i got this on both sides.
I presume this is not correct and indicates some problem in the loom?
In general, the loom looks fine, all the wires are enclosed in the plastic loom conduit.

I don't know where to look next or what i can test.

I have had rotted wires inside their plastic sheaths and even some where the copper wire has gone black and will not pass current.
You could try one of those fusible test probes that connects to both sides of the battery and can provide a positive or negative voltage to the probe , but is protected against damage.
Like you I would have suspected bulbs to start with and either replaced or tested with a wire at the battery direct.
Also bad earths, again I would have used something simple like a jump lead connected to a thin screwdriver and with indicators on tested to the earth point on the bulb holder. Note care is required when doing this.
You can use a wire piecing test probe with your multimeter to see if you get a better reading further up the loom on the same wire.
LED bulbs can cause issues, I have also had bulbs that appear OK but if the glass is flicked with your finger nail you can see the filament is broken.
I have also seen double contact bulbs pushed into single contact bulb holders and many other strange things.

 

[Communicator]

All the other indicators on the van work (i.e. ones at back, and little side repeaters). They work on pressing Hazard button and also using the indicator stalk.
They flash quicker than they should.
I have checked both the bulbs - they are both fine, whilst one is old and the other looks new, they are both rated 21W (as i believe they should be). I have anyway got a pair of replacements on order, but i don't believe this is a bulb issue.

With the earth on the battery disconnected, I put a multi-meter on the connectors to the front side lights, testing for connection to earth (using bolt on the van body). I got connectivity to earth for both terminals in the connector. And i got this on both sides.
I presume this is not correct and indicates some problem in the loom?
In general, the loom looks fine, all the wires are enclosed in the plastic loom conduit.

I don't know where to look next or what i can test.

I am attaching an extract from the German language workshop manual which is available in the Downoads section.
Over time I have added various English translations. For the above problem I have identified the front direction indicators, and side repeaters.
The diagram is in two sections with aschematic on the LHS, and a wiring diagram on the RHS.
Inspection of this latter side over an extended breakfast suggests that the wiring to the front indicators is looped via the side repeaters.
I am unable to verify the accuracy of the original diagram, but I have had a few positive reports for other diagrams from the same source.

 

[sprie]

I am attaching an extract from the German language workshop manual which is available in the Downoads section.
Over time I have added various English translations. For the above problem I have identified the front direction indicators, and side repeaters.
The diagram is in two sections with aschematic on the LHS, and a wiring diagram on the RHS.
Inspection of this latter side over an extended breakfast suggests that the wiring to the front indicators is looped via the side repeaters.
I am unable to verify the accuracy of the original diagram, but I have had a few positive reports from other diagrams from the same source.

I have had rotted wires inside their plastic sheaths and even some where the copper wire has gone black and will not pass current.
You could try one of those fusible test probes that connects to both sides of the battery and can provide a positive or negative voltage to the probe , but is protected against damage.
Like you I would have suspected bulbs to start with and either replaced or tested with a wire at the battery direct.
Also bad earths, again I would have used something simple like a jump lead connected to a thin screwdriver and with indicators on tested to the earth point on the bulb holder. Note care is required when doing this.
You can use a wire piecing test probe with your multimeter to see if you get a better reading further up the loom on the same wire.
LED bulbs can cause issues, I have also had bulbs that appear OK but if the glass is flicked with your finger nail you can see the filament is broken.
I have also seen double contact bulbs pushed into single contact bulb holders and many other strange things.

It turns out it was "just" corrosion in various lights at the front i.e. both the indicators and near side side lights. Corrosion was in the spades, in the connector and in the bulb holder. All of these are 25+ years old and are suffering. If i could cheaply/easily get replacements i would. But i have just had to do a lot of abrading (with small file) cleaning and fiddling to get each of these working. Along the way i have had to replace a few fuses - one originally blown and i think a couple more as I have tried to sort it all out.