Tracing an issue on the fender trafficator. Not a bulb issue

[paris]

Good evening everyone. Posting via mobile so I can't really do a proper search.. my e30's right fender trafficator stopped working. At first I thought it was the bulb (original fitted since 1989), replaced but nothing. Still wont light up. The trafficator still blinks at normal speed even with that bulb not working.

I tried to trace the wire but it seems it goes inside the fender. Any ideas where to search for the problem, if there is a junction somewhere that got corroded? I think no 12v arrive at the bulb connector.

Many thanks!!

[Brianmoooore]

There is a plug connecting the loom to the indicator behind the bumper. If someone is trying to refit a bumper on their own, these plugs have to pushed into place single handed, while supporting the bumper with the other hand, so sometimes don't get pushed fully home.
The other common problem with E30 front indicators is that when removing the bumper, the loom to them may be stretched and damaged, if the person removing the bumper isn't aware of the wire, or is careless. This wire can also be damaged by impact damage to the front of the car (which most E30s will have suffered at some point by now), cutting the wire between the chassis rail panel and the front panel.

[BenHar]

Fender = wing, I think?

Ben

[Brianmoooore]

Fender = wing, I think?

Ben

Hmmm, you may be right! 'Bumper' on a boat is a fender though.
If it's the repeater on the wing in question, then the bulb can be good, but not making contact properly, if the wires on the capless bulb aren't folded to where they should be.
The wires attached to the bulb holder are only about 250mm long, and pass through grommets in the inner wing into the area behind the dash at either side, where they join to the dashboard loom via two pin plugs and sockets.

[paris]

Lol yes it's the wing repeater in question! I will check again the bulb holder, if it turns ok, what should be the next step? Also, shouldn't the lights blink at a higher frequency since the bulb is out?

[Brianmoooore]

Next step would be to make sure the wires/plugs are actually connected to something inside the car.
The bulb isn't of high enough power to affect the speed of the flashing.

[paris]

Ok, I verified today that neither ground or 12v work at the bulb base. The contacts are clean and the rubber boot is surprisingly in good condition. The trafficator in question is the one at the passenger's side. I have a suspicion that it is not connected inside the car. Car had an A/C fitted around a year ago, and it must had been like that since then, I just didn't notice it...

If I drop the glovebox, can I find the connector/junction or is it too involving and maybe I should just take source from the bumper trafficator that works?

[Brianmoooore]

Wiring should be obvious with the glove box removed, (assuming this is a LH drive car). You're looking for a plug and socket with a brown and blue/black wires.

[paris]

RHD car, just like UK.

[Brianmoooore]

RHD car, just like UK.

Well, there's not much point looking behind the glovebox, then, for wiring to the RH indicator repeater!
Look up under the dash on the driver's side, and it should still be easily seen.

[paris]

RHD car, the problem bulb is on passenger's side (Left side), behind the glovebox. I will check and report back many thanks!

[Brianmoooore]

my e30's right fender trafficator stopped working.

If it's the LH one, wire will be blue/red.

[paris]

Many thanks. Took a while to trace the wires behind the glovebox, because they were tucked somehow behind the speaker cover. The AC installer apparently forgot to plug it back. All sorted, many thanks for the help.