Odd indicators

OwenP · Post by **OwenP** » 16 Aug 2006, 17:36

On the way up from the south coast yesterday my Girlfriend and I spotted at the services on the M6 Toll.

On the way back out I noticed that her car's indicators were flashing, faster than normal hazards speed, but slower than the alarm flashes. She stayed in the car so not alarm going off, also no sounder going.

They could be overidden by the hazards being put on or by an indicator being put on. Starting the car made no difference and niether did locking/unlocking.

She was about to ring the garage she got it from when they stopped.

Any ideas on cause?

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 16 Aug 2006, 19:32

Well I know you say the alarm wasn't going off..... but if it was a known glitch with the alarm, the garage she bought it from may have disconnected the sounder!!!!
But having said that.... why would it stop if the indicator or hazards were switched on... perhaps just a coincidence!!

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 16 Aug 2006, 20:51

Its the dreaded indicator stalk switch current tracking problem.
The switch suffers from internal electric tracking/arcing providing for a small current flowing to the flasher relay.
This in turn starts the electronic flasher circuit in its failure reporting mode - fast ticking - as the indicators are not connected.

The hazards works off the same flasher circuit - hence the cancelling of the problem - as when you select to indicate.

Only cure is to replace the stalk switch.
It is possible to fiddle the flasher circuit into ignoring the switch's tracking current - but that requires electronics DIY knowledge.

Forgot to say its a common problem for Xantia.

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 16 Aug 2006, 21:38

Hmmm! I think that the common problem with the fast ticking that Anders refers too does not actually make the indicators operate, as you state in your original post.... yours do!! I think look elsewhere for the problem.... if it persists.

OwenP · Post by **OwenP** » 16 Aug 2006, 21:48

Also forgot to say its a C3, its also brand new so I would be surprised if they had disconnected the alarm sounder. Also the alarm shouldn't have been activated as my Gf was still in the car. I'll keep an eye out for it happening again, and mention it to the garage next time it goes in for anything.

If it was a problem with the indicator stalk would that not disable the indicators themselves?

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 16 Aug 2006, 22:34

With the added information it is not sensible the stalk switch is suffering that problem 8)

It sound like the alarm is playing up then.
Either the alarm or the hazard switch will put on all indicators - and disable the stalk switch.

deian · Post by **deian** » 17 Aug 2006, 10:59

it's not a relay is it?

rabenson · Post by **rabenson** » 17 Aug 2006, 11:38

If it's new - take it back - let the dealer worry about it under warranty!

Ron

f00lzz · Post by **f00lzz** » 17 Aug 2006, 12:44

Well that reinforces the need to TELL US WHICH MODEL AND YEAR you have a query with.... and our fault for assuming

deian · Post by **deian** » 17 Aug 2006, 13:34

may not even be a citroen, he shows a pug 405 td!

OwenP · Post by **OwenP** » 17 Aug 2006, 14:14

Right, sorry have been fairly knackered the last few times I've been on here and not really too coherent.

To Clear up. Its a 55 plate C3 Exclusive (or whatever the top range one is).

The 405td is mine, and on her last car change I managed to convert the GF to a french car, helped in part by the fact that Citroen were the only ones who actually showed any interest in her as a customer (well apart from the local pug dealer as well, same franchise.)

The reason I haven't said take it back right away is cause its only happened the once, and I was wondereing about any clues on what it might be rather than going in and saying those dreaded words "its got an intermittant fault."

mezuk04 · Post by **mezuk04** » 17 Aug 2006, 14:19

Still under warranty I assume ????

Take it in, no expense!!!!!