Test tomorrow 9am - indicator just gone!

Fenwick

Any suggestions as to what I could do? I literally popped out to the shops a few minutes ago and the front left indicator has stopped working. I took it out and checked the bulb and the filament is fine so no hope in just changing the bulb..............ANY options or do I just have to cancel?
GRRRRRRR, I was so all psyched for this, so pissed off now!

ADIDriving

Try change the bulb anyway. Sometimes the break is tiny and too hard to see. Then try change the fuse. After that you have more serious problems. If you do not have spares yourself and no time to buy some, consider borrowing some from someones car who has time to spare.

Cedrus

Get out to a late night garage now and you can have it fixed before you go to bed, borrow a bulb/fuse from another car, or worry all night and try to get it done in the morning. You won't be allowed to do your test without it.

Same thing happened to me on my driving test, had a lesson just before it more to settle me into driving than last minute revision, while I was waiting for the instructor i noticed that an indicator was gone, no problem I sorted it by calling to a garage during the lesson. The examiner came out to check the car for the test and two brake lights had gone so he refused to do the test.

Fenwick

So would most garages do bulbs? ANy ideas in DUblin 6 area where I could get one.
Also, sorry for the stupid question but Ive no idea bout this kinda stuff - where is the fuse and what does it look like?
Thanks!

Cedrus

Most older garages/petrol stations (not ones that have morphed into cafe /convenience shops) would have a basic range of bulbs and fuses, but I don't even know where dublin 6 is so I can't be any more specific.

If it's only one indicator and you have the other three then it's not a fuse, they'd all be on one. so it's most likely the bulb or a loose coupler at the back of it. It could also be a broken coupler or wire which will may not be fixable before morning.

The fuses are most likely under the dash somewhere or in a plastic box in the engine bay, mine is behind the glovebox, it took me weeks to find it.

There are three types of fuse and they look like this

ADIDriving

Again try changing the bulb first. Lots of petrol stations sell spare bulbs. They are almost generic. The fuses are usually behind a removable panel often under the steering wheel.

bryaner

Couldn't be the fuse as no indicators would work, get a bulb Op and scratch the contacts with a screwdriver or something, likely just a bad connection..

Fenwick

Thanks folks, tried a new bulb, cleaned the conacts and pulled them out a little - no luck

bryaner

Try to get the whole indicator out (should be pretty handy) the problem most likely has to be at the source..

ADIDriving

This could be a silly question. But just to be sure is the back left indicator working?

Fenwick

ADIDriving, yeah back and side is working, just front passenger one thats not.
Bryaner, sorry I don't follw. What you mean by whole indicator?

bryaner

Pull the whole unit out and check wiring and bulb housing etc..

Fenwick

hmmm, don't think ill go messing with it, went out to have a look but id say ill do more damage than anything. Im kinda resigned to my fate now (and my damn money down the drain!!!!). Ill chance a garage at 9am and see if i can what happens.....wouldnt hold my breath though.
Thanks a mill for all the advice people, I appreiciate it

ADIDriving

Keep in mind that if you can't get this fixed, you may need to start looking for a different car to use. You probably don't need reminding. But don't ignore this option until it is too late.

Cianos

You could post on the Motors forum to see if anyone is around to do it for you as a quick nixer either tonight or early in the morning.

Chris_Heilong

try swaping the bulb from the working side this will let you see if it is justt a blown bulb or something more serious.

Cedrus

OP - did you get to the test in the end??