Technical Indicator Light

[Stuart MFC]

Grande Punto 1.4 active sport.

Just recently when I am indicating left only I have a warning flasg up saying stop check lights. When I do the light seems ok. But just today I get the odd time now when the indicator sounds bleeps in the car much quicker and says check LHS. At the time I have managed to stop and check while doing this it appears that the brake light below left indicator seems to be flashing. Why is this happening? Does seem that the blub is ok. Where is the problem?

 

[Ffoxy]

Probably a poor earth on that light unit, so a good check of all connectors & earth point is required. For connectors use some electrical contact cleaner, for the earth points, remove the wire, clean up both wire connection & earth point so they are shiny metal & re-assemble, smear with a copper based grease for protection.

 

[Andy Monty]

as FFoxy says it sounds like an earthing issue....

your screen wash to the back window low on pressure or not wetting the screen by any chance? (split hose leaking water into the boot is what im getting at)



anyhow if not

first things to do the easy check

remove the rear light cluster and clean all the bulb contacts and the multi plug





https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/170508-how-replace-tail-light-bulb.html



if that doesn't solve it its boot to bits time

empty all your junk out the boot

next pull the boot seal up from the center bottom of the boot where the plastic trim runs across the back of the car

next remove teh 2x pozzi X headed screws then the large Torx T30 (i think) bump stop come screw


next pull the trim upwards (its on plastic gripping pegs which pull out when tugged on)

now your trim is off look in the bottom left of the boot (uk passenger side and all the earths are on that post remove and clean them)

 

[Ffoxy]

Quality Section Modding Andy

 

[payney1]

I can't believe how bad the GP is at letting water in to boot.

When it's rained really hard, and i lift the tail gate up, all you hear is water sloshing around inside, so i pull it down and all the water trickles out

 

[Stuart MFC]

Right got as far as taking the left side back lights of and removed all bulbs, rubbed clean the connections but the problem still appears. Best next option? Taking the boot apart?

 

[Andy Monty]

yes............


empty all your accumulated junk out the boot and pull out boot carpet......


look in the back of the boot (think burying your head in the sand ostrich style) and remove the 2 screws that hold the boot trim in)


next remove the T30 (ish iirc) bolt (bit where the boot spring presses into)

now pull the rubber boot seal off the bumper/ trim area along the bottom next pull the boot trim upwards (its held by plastic pegs


check the earth post in the lower back passenger side is clean and tight

 

[Stuart MFC]

Ok I have done the above and seems ok. I have noticed though that when it does it I am most times just giving the left lights a hit and they mostly come back on, could it be a bulb that's dodgey? Or perhaps the full light head itself. Driving me mad so it is, hate not always having my indicators.

 

[Andy Monty]

it could well be a bulb that has blown then re made a connection to itself


get the three bulbs it takes (don't go to the big high street car store with the orange sign their bulbs are way over priced) find a local motor factors if you car they cost literally pence......


it wont harm to slightly re spring (bend up a bit) the bulb contacts


there really is little to go wrong with the lamp unit itself its just little metal tracks to the multi plug

 

[JackFi]

I remember on my gp a few months ago, I had a problem with one of the rear clusters all the warning lights came on saying check stop lamp etc... and none of the lights would work on that cluster, I took it apart and check the bulbs and the bottom twin filament bulbs that does the brake light and normal light had fused its self together causing a short circuit, so I would recemmend checking/changing that bulb.

 

[Ffoxy]

I dont see any mention of the plug connector & the female socket on the light unit being treated to any switch cleaner in the above Posts? It WILL be a connection of some sort... trick is being methodical & assuming nothing.