Indicators Problem

[johal87]

Hi all!! ive just brought my E30 bmw!! but im very new to them, and ive got a few slight problems which need sorting, the most important on the list is the indicators

1)the right side indicatior wont work with the stalk (as if u was turning right) non the light work front, side or rear, and the green light in the dash dosnt flash either, instead i get a really fast clicking sound

however all light all round work with the hazards! :s

2)also some times the speedo goes the mph needle drops right down, give it a wack and starts again....

3) the arial makes a very weird noise when turning the stereo on? but it works as the radio has signal

but again im very new to E30 bmws, so these might be really silly questions with very simple fixes sorry lads

also the car is a 325i sport, and i will reveal it once its all sorted etc, and i will pictures up from the start to the finish, but it is a car you have all seen before and it had loads of good feedback

Many thanks guys

[aj_mckay]

1) Indicators - sounds like the relay may be the culprit for this - try cleaning it or replacing it.
2) Speedo - check the connections on the back of the speedo in the instrument cluster are finger tight and not loose - otherwise may be something at the diff end of things?
3)Aerial - is it an electric one? does it go up and down when you turn the radio on/off? is it just a noise from the aerial itself when going up/down? if so maybe lubricate it a little with some liquid greaser?

The above are just things I'd do first off to check - I'm sure some more technically clued up people will be along soon enough to either confirm or rubbish my suggestions.

HTH.

[capri_rob]

1) Indicators - Could be the stalk or the relay - Both are cheap enough to replace with good secondhand items - if the indicators work with the hazards on possibly more likely to be the stalk thats at fault. Easy enough to change.

2) Speedo - As above - loose connection somewhere definately - if whacking the dash makes it work probably more likely at the speedo end.

3) Aerial - If it makes a noise but doesnt go up and down its probably shagged. Either live with it or get one from GSF/Euro etc ( I think Euro do the OEM Hirschmann ones which are black ). Personally if you can get a signal I would just disconnect the power feed so it doesnt make the noice when you switch it on.

[johal87]

thanks for that guys, this is going to sound really silly but where will i find the relay for the indicators, and ive got a spare stalk i think if not thats a job for saturday!

and il check the other bits at the same time

thanks guys!!

[capri_rob]

IIRC the relay is actually attached to to the stalk mechanism ?

[rubber_duck89]

the relay is on the left side of the steering column next to the stalk you have to take all the plastics off from around the steering column

[johal87]

cheers lads, will see how it goes on the weekend!

[Alan31625]

my indicator on my sport is doing the exact same thing! let me know if you fix it so i can too

[Brianmoooore]

POST IN THE CORRECT FORUM, PLEASE!

[johal87]

Sorry mods!!

right i tryed the relay, didnt work same thing

but thats as far as i got, in order to change the stalks i belive u need the clocks etc out as plugs go into there, so i will try this 2mr at some point and let you guys know how it goes

[Brianmoooore]

The most likely cause of the indicator problem is the hazard light switch. It comes apart easily enough, so strip it down, clean it up, and reassemble.
Usual speedo problem is near the diff at the back of the car, but if yours responds to dash thumping, it's probably dry (cracked) solder joints on the speedo module in the instrument cluster. Take it out, open it up, and warm up the soldering iron.

[johal87]

hazard light switch. as in the one in the dash. right il try that right away cheers lads

[johal87]

tryed that, didnt work :s also ive noticed the mad clicking noise is coming from the relay (black box?) tryed changing it same thing, its just the normal ticking when turning left, but when turning right it is really fast

[aj_mckay]

I take it you've checked the bulbs in the indicators on the offending side?? Tried cleaning the contacts on the bulb holders in the light units? Sometimes cheap bulbs can corrode and screw up the contact - give them a clean with something abrasive and try again...

[johal87]

yeh ive tried cleaning them mate, still no luck, also checked all the fuses, i think my only option is to change the stalk which i will do 2day, im really not into taking the clocks out etc, so i was thinking about cutting the wires, soldering then heat shrinking them? time effective wayy

[johal87]

Hi people!! it is not fixed

the indicator stalk had gone faulty no idea why, easy to change, get the panel off under the steering wheel, take the steering wheel off

disconnect the earth, right in front of u, brown wire, remove to screws holding the stalk, follow the cable down and take out to plugs, then put it back togther with ur new one, there are loads of cable ties involved, so you will need some new ones to make it tidy again

thanks for all the ideas though people!