Technical Intermittant indicator fault

[ChrissieChant]

Hi all, my Panda, My life, often stops indicating for a right hand turn mid indication, sometines it just doesnt start indicating, sometimes if I hold the indicator stalk firmly in position it works but sometimes not. I believe it is just the rear light that doesnt flash, and I replaced the bulb which wasnt broken, and cleaned up the conections, but it still only intermittantly works. I thought a faulty relay, and joined here to find out where to find the relay that needs replacing, but saw something about motherboards and central consul ecu, all my other vehicles are classics and simple easy to fix and work on.

 

[Mike1alike]

If holding the stalk makes it work, that usually points to worn contacts inside the indicator switch rather than a relay or ECU issue.
There isn’t a separate indicator relay on, it’s controlled by the body computer (BCM), so there’s no relay to replace.
However, if it’s only the rear light not flashing (and the dash arrow + front indicator work normally), then it’s more likely a connection issue in the rear light unit or its connector. This sounds like a separate different problem.
Worth confirming whether the front indicator and dash arrow behave normally when the rear one doesn’t.

So first thing to do would be cleaning the connectors inside the stalk using contact spray cleaner and next follow the lines to rear bulb and identify where connection gets cut out.

 

[jackwhoo]

Add an extra wire from battery negative clamp to vehicle body

 

[Mike1alike]

Add an extra wire from battery negative clamp to vehicle body

Yes, that too, off course.
Or even better than that, get the ground connections in good shape.
Make sure main cable that goes from battery (-) terminal to chassis and further to gearbox is ok, no broken wires inside and clean all the connectors on it and the mating surfaces.
Also check and clean the BCM ground feed point, I mentioned about it (on my Punto) here

BCM (Body Computer Module) ground and other electrical gremlins | FIAT Punto (Mk2/2b)

I just discovered the BCM grounding point on my Punto. The electrical system is very similar across most of the FIAT models, so this topic is not Punto exclusive. What happened I noticed idle dipping very short while engine was on warming up temp (40~70 ⁰C) and being stop at red lights. Dipping...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[jackwhoo]

Yes, that too, off course.
Or even better than that, get the ground connections in good shape.
Make sure main cable that goes from battery (-) terminal to chassis and further to gearbox is ok, no broken wires inside and clean all the connectors on it and the mating surfaces.
Also check and clean the BCM ground feed point, I mentioned about it (on my Punto) here

BCM (Body Computer Module) ground and other electrical gremlins | FIAT Punto (Mk2/2b)

I just discovered the BCM grounding point on my Punto. The electrical system is very similar across most of the FIAT models, so this topic is not Punto exclusive. What happened I noticed idle dipping very short while engine was on warming up temp (40~70 ⁰C) and being stop at red lights. Dipping...

www.fiatforum.com

This is in panda classic section.

Maybe original poster can confirm year of production?

 

[Mike1alike]

This is in panda classic section.

Maybe original poster can confirm year of production?

Said in first post. It's 2011.

 

[Mike1alike]

 

[ChrissieChant]

If holding the stalk makes it work, that usually points to worn contacts inside the indicator switch rather than a relay or ECU issue.
There isn’t a separate indicator relay on, it’s controlled by the body computer (BCM), so there’s no relay to replace.
However, if it’s only the rear light not flashing (and the dash arrow + front indicator work normally), then it’s more likely a connection issue in the rear light unit or its connector. This sounds like a separate different problem.
Worth confirming whether the front indicator and dash arrow behave normally when the rear one doesn’t.

So first thing to do would be cleaning the connectors inside the stalk using contact spray cleaner and next follow the lines to rear bulb and identify where connection gets cut out.

Thank you, I shall have to get into the stalk base, its a shame there are no workshop manuals for modern cars. I did continuity a d voltage tests to the wires at the rear light cluster when I changed the bulb, but the stalk contacts sound like a good place to start this time.

 

[Mike1alike]

If contacts are not directly accessible there use that little pipe on the spray. It should work. And after you sprayed them move the stalk on and off multiple times and spray a little more, to gdt them clean.

 

[koalar]

Your giving symptoms of two separate issues

Are you sure it's just the rears that don't flash, it needs double checking

Normally if a bulb isn't working they flash faster than normal

Get a helper or video to check

Also put the indicator on and press the brake pedal

Compare it to the other side, does the brake light dim a lot more on that side

I assume this feeling isn't actually happening

Does the dash indicator also stop

Assuming it does, the most likely is it should just require a new stalk

5550A10 STALK UNIT ASSEMBLY - R+R - Fiat - PANDA - eLearn - 4CarData

There was a common issue with the indicator stalk, that right would stop working

It's pretty easy to diagnose

Turn the right direction indicator on and disconnect the connector from Coupling B and check the continuity between pins B2 and B4

But seeing as the work involved to check and the high probability and being a common fault. I would br tempted to.take.a punt.without checking and just replace

They come as one unit lights, indicators clock spring, I not tried to strip one down to repair it maybe @irc has

I have repaired an A class one, but they are stupid money, but a used panda can be had for £20 or so if your patient

There's two types with or without the trip computer

 

[irc]

They come as one unit lights, indicators clock spring, I not tried to strip one down to repair it maybe @irc has

I have, and i probably won't ever again. Took 4 attempts to fit it all back together, and even though everything felt OK, when tested on the car, the rear washer didn't work.
Much better to just replace in my opinion

As above, sounds like two different problems in description but I think @koalar is probably right, and its a failed indicator stalk. Had control stalk problems on a few Pandas, usually on the indicator side, and only on later 169 Pandas.
I know the part numbers changed for the type with the reset button (that's why I had a go at repairing one), so maybe they're a bit more fragile than the older ones?

 

[ChrissieChant]

If contacts are not directly accessible there use that little pipe on the spray. It should work. And after you sprayed them move the stalk on and off multiple times and spray a little more, to gdt them clean.

I have just sent off for a spray so will let you know how I get on, thank you

 

[koalar]

I have just sent off for a spray so will let you know how I get on, thank you

Might work, not sure how your going to get it in the right place

Normally it's either a bit of plastic broken inside or bent pins rather than the contacts themselves

Fingers crossed it's just a.bit of grease that gets washed away

But it a lot of work and not straight forward to find.out, with a less than 50/50 chance of success in my opinion

If I was going.this.far.in to it I'd be tempted to change it, than potentially having to go back

I know this is a Mercedes but it gives you an idea of what's inside



I repaired an A class which required glueing but it's not easy and too several goes to get acceptable,.don't think I'd bother opening up a panda one

 

[ChrissieChant]

View attachment 483413View attachment 483414

Might work, not sure how your going to get it in the right place

Normally it's either a bit of plastic broken inside or bent pins rather than the contacts themselves

Fingers crossed it's just a.bit of grease that gets washed away

But it a lot of work and not straight forward to find.out, with a less than 50/50 chance of success in my opinion

If I was going.this.far.in to it I'd be tempted to change it, than potentially having to go back

I know this is a Mercedes but it gives you an idea of what's inside



I repaired an A class which required glueing but it's not easy and too several goes to get acceptable,.don't think I'd bother opening up a panda one

Thank you, I was tempted to just sell the car but what I would get for it compared to what I would pay for another the same age, I realised it would be cheaper to repair. I will try the spray, the indicator was working fine this morning but it is intermittent and will be back

 

[koalar]

Thank you, I was tempted to just sell the car but what I would get for it compared to what I would pay for another the same age, I realised it would be cheaper to repair. I will try the spray, the indicator was working fine this morning but it is intermittent and will be back

Last time I looked the cheapest second hand was £18

That one would loose the trip computer button

The cheapest with trip was an extra fiver

 

[ChrissieChant]

I used the contact spray, and had the opportunity to have someone assist with pedal pressing. It turns out that when the lights are on, putting the indicators on flashes the brake lights too, and when turning right, the rear indicator works until I brake then it stops working but will indicate again when I stop braking.

 

[koalar]

I used the contact spray, and had the opportunity to have someone assist with pedal pressing. It turns out that when the lights are on, putting the indicators on flashes the brake lights too, and when turning right, the rear indicator works until I brake then it stops working but will indicate again when I stop braking.

Faulty earth

Centre pin in the rear light cluster will be burnt

rear light cluster repair | FIAT Panda (Mk3)

pretty self explanatory this one was flashing double speed when using the brake 10mm socket is so much easier press here to release the connector above done forget to clean up the other half. Scrap with a screwdriver blade is normally enough above, Line up these First.

www.fiatforum.com

I did this to show how it can be done at home and it works

I would normally just cut the off and crimp a new one on, but most people don't have the tools or parts to do this

 

[The Panda Nut]

Faulty earth

Centre pin in the rear light cluster will be burnt

rear light cluster repair | FIAT Panda (Mk3)

pretty self explanatory this one was flashing double speed when using the brake 10mm socket is so much easier press here to release the connector above done forget to clean up the other half. Scrap with a screwdriver blade is normally enough above, Line up these First.

www.fiatforum.com

I did this to show how it can be done at home and it works

I would normally just cut the off and crimp a new one on, but most people don't have the tools or parts to do this

Agree earthing fault classic signs.