No indicator driving

MadsL

So I have tried to find that electrical short that is blowing my indicator fuse constantly. I've given up. Instead I have adapted my driving to utterly avoid the use of indicators, I use mirrors more and plan ahead for the turns and lane changes. I'm driving in the US so the efficient road layouts help.

Am I a dick for not using them (leaving aside the legal thing) or have I become a better driver for anticipating my manoeuvres better?

corglass

Get help. Do you adopt a similar, couldn't be arsed type attitude to everything you do our just to driving?

What next? Drive with only one headlight when it blows "'cos I can see fine without it?"

If the handbrake fails just leave the car in gear and hope it doesn't slip out.

I think you know the answer to your own question

Corkbah

MadsL wrote: »

So I have tried to find that electrical short that is blowing my indicator fuse constantly. I've given up. Instead I have adapted my driving to utterly avoid the use of indicators, I use mirrors more and plan ahead for the turns and lane changes. I'm driving in the US so the efficient road layouts help.

Am I a dick for not using them (leaving aside the legal thing) or have I become a better driver for anticipating my manoeuvres better?

rules of the road …. use hand signals !!

MadsL

Corkbah wrote: »

rules of the road …. use hand signals !!

I do if I need to make a turn across traffic and hold up the guy behind. Roll down the window and the arm goes out.

Renegade Mechanic

Um...... Ahem! Yes, quite! Well then, Mr Mad as you can see, your new driving style is less than agreeable. I would recommend getting it checked out indeed. You may need your park anywhe- I mean hazard lights some day but at any rate, I would get it checked.

MadsL

corglass wrote: »

Get help. Do you adopt a similar, couldn't be arsed type attitude to everything you do our just to driving?

What next? Drive with only one headlight when it blows "'cos I can see fine without it?"

If the handbrake fails just leave the car in gear and hope it doesn't slip out.

I think you know the answer to your own question

This isn't "couldn't be arsed" I have gone through countless fuses and attempts to find this fault.

However, I'm simply observing that driving without the indicators has perhaps improved my driving.

corglass

MadsL wrote: »

This isn't "couldn't be arsed" I have gone through countless fuses and attempts to find this fault.

However, I'm simply observing that driving without the indicators has perhaps improved my driving.

How long did you spend trying to fix the car?

MadsL

corglass wrote: »

How long did you spend trying to fix the car?

About 5-6 hours under it in total over the last three months trying to find where the short is. No joy. Driven me nuts frankly. I've about $50 spend just replacing fuses every time I drive it.

Like I said, given up at this stage. I'm thinking of buying some roadside emergency flares in place of hazards and just not using the indicators.

No NCT here

punisher5112

Did you replace all the bulbs?
Have you fitted china cheap led lights.

Could you not get a auto electrician to have a look.
It could be a simple loose connection.

Is the fuse the correct size.

What car and mode and yearl?

MadsL

punisher5112 wrote: »

Did you replace all the bulbs?
Have you fitted china cheap led lights.

Could you not get a auto electrician to have a look.
It could be a simple loose connection.

Is the fuse the correct size.

What car and mode and yearl?

I'm wary of handing an auto electrician a blank cheque rather than specifying what to fix.

Fuse is correct rating.

Bulbs replaced (all stock bulbs)

Connections all seem good.

It's a 1997 V8 5.2l Dodge Dakota.

I have towbar on it with an electrical hook up so I am thinking of just running a LED trailer panel at the back instead

punisher5112

MadsL wrote: »

I'm wary of handing an auto electrician a blank cheque rather than specifying what to fix.

Fuse is correct rating.

Bulbs replaced (all stock bulbs)

Connections all seem good.

It's a 1997 V8 5.2l Dodge Dakota.

I have towbar on it with an electrical hook up so I am thinking of just running a LED trailer panel at the back instead

Big machine wish we could have the same here in Ireland.

May be a new wire loom needed it may be shorting somewhere.

MadsL

punisher5112 wrote: »

Big machine wish we could have the same here in Ireland.

May be a new wire loom needed it may be shorting somewhere.

Yeah. Or I could just do what 40% of US drivers do and not indicate at all.

If I could find the short, I'd fix it

corktina

get it fixed, it could short out totally and cause a fire.

MadsL

corktina wrote: »

get it fixed, it could short out totally and cause a fire.

How likely is this?

I admit I had not considered that, I usually carry a fire extinguisher by the way.

djimi

MadsL wrote: »

However, I'm simply observing that driving without the indicators has perhaps improved my driving.

How? Your improved sense of observation does not make it any more obvious for other road users of your intent to change lanes, take junctions etc. Indicators are there for the other road users, not for you.

MadsL

djimi wrote: »

How? Your improved sense of observation does not make it any more obvious for other road users of your intent to change lanes, take junctions etc. Indicators are there for the other road users, not for you.

Point taken. I have however come to expect people NOT to indicate and to be unsurprised when they change lanes with no warning...at least I drive into gaps. The behaviour of American motorists is often if my vehicle is bigger than yours I'm coming through!!

visual

Wiring to trailer hitch would be a common place to cause shorts. Check the connections of hitch wiring where it attaches to vehicle wiring. And if nessary disconnect the trailer hitch wiring

MadsL

visual wrote: »

Wiring to trailer hitch would be a common place to cause shorts. Check the connections of hitch wiring where it attaches to vehicle wiring. And if nessary disconnect the trailer hitch wiring

AHHHHHH!!!! Lightbulb. Didn't think to disconnect the trailer hitch hookup.

Trying that today.

Renegade Mechanic

MadsL wrote: »

I'm wary of handing an auto electrician a blank cheque rather than specifying what to fix.

Fuse is correct rating.

Bulbs replaced (all stock bulbs)

Connections all seem good.

It's a 1997 V8 5.2l Dodge Dakota.

I have towbar on it with an electrical hook up so I am thinking of just running a LED trailer panel at the back instead

If the fuses for the indicators blow, then you wont get power at the socket either. My money in fact is on the loom for that trailer socket. It might be touching the chassis somewhere.

Or perhaps the trailer itself?

corktina

MadsL wrote: »

How likely is this?

I admit I had not considered that, I usually carry a fire extinguisher by the way.

it's a short you say, how can you be sure how serious it is? From bitter experience extinguishers are of limited use.

First Up

Great thread. Someone refuses to take a problem to a professional, but takes advice and diagnosis from anonymous amateurs 7,000 miles from the car.
What a world.

No Pants

Renegade Mechanic wrote: »

You may need your park anywhe- I mean hazard lights some day

They can be done with hand signals too. Roll down both front windows and flap your arms like a bird.

pred racer

visual wrote: »

Wiring to trailer hitch would be a common place to cause shorts. Check the connections of hitch wiring where it attaches to vehicle wiring. And if nessary disconnect the trailer hitch wiring

^^
this.

MadsL

No Pants wrote: »

They can be done with hand signals too. Roll down both front windows and flap your arms like a bird.

I used to be able to do that in the Smart car, a half-ton pickup is a bit more of a challenge

Chocolate

MadsL wrote: »

Am I a dick for not using them

Yes

MadsL wrote: »

have I become a better driver for anticipating my manoeuvres better?

The purpose of indicating is not to help you anticipate your own manoeuvres. Indicators are there to help others anticipate your manoeuvres.

MadsL

Chocolate wrote: »

Yes

I did ask I suppose

The purpose of indicating is not to help you anticipate your own manoeuvres. Indicators are there to help others anticipate your manoeuvres.

How big a gap should I leave before not having to indicate, ten car lengths, twenty. Out of sight?

b_mac

You were right to ask motorists here in Ireland about indicators OP, because 90% of them must be in the same boat as you, going by what I see at ever roundabout in the country.

No Pants

MadsL wrote: »

How likely is this?

I admit I had not considered that, I usually carry a fire extinguisher by the way.

Will be of little use if it goes on fire and you're not in it or even there.

MadsL

No Pants wrote: »

Will be of little use if it goes on fire and you're not in it or even there.

How likely is that with the ignition off? Genuine question, I'm not an auto sparks.

And let's be clear; this is a sixteen year old truck.

Mr Simpson

MadsL wrote: »

How likely is that with the ignition off? Genuine question, I'm not an auto sparks.

And let's be clear; this is a sixteen year old truck.

Serious question, why not go to a professional then?

MadsL

Mr Simpson wrote: »

Serious question, why not go to a professional then?

Hi Mr Sparky Auto tech, I have untraceable problem that I would like you to solve for me for X money*

X = the amount you think you can safely charge me without getting my lawyer involved.

TL;DR I don't want to sign a blank cheque.

Mr Simpson

MadsL wrote: »

Hi Mr Sparky Auto tech, I have untraceable problem that I would like you to solve for me for X money*

X = the amount you think you can safely charge me without getting my lawyer involved.

TL;DR I don't want to sign a blank cheque.

Or Hi Mr Sparks,

My indicator fuse keeps blowing so my cars not road legal, how much to fix it?

I hate being on a high horse, but indicators are necessary, if they aren't working, get it fixed. If you cant fix it, you need to get someone who can. I'm not trying to have a go at you or be smart arsed btw, just how I see it.

MadsL

Mr Simpson wrote: »

Or Hi Mr Sparks,

My indicator fuse keeps blowing so my cars not road legal, how much to fix it?

I hate being on a high horse, but indicators are necessary, if they aren't working, get it fixed. If you cant fix it, you need to get someone who can. I'm not trying to have a go at you or be smart arsed btw, just how I see it.

Hi Mr Driver, what is wrong with you indicators?

Me: I dunno

Mr Sparks: Well in that case Sir we charge $85 labor an hour investigation rate.

Me: How much do you think?

Mr Sparks: No idea, could be one hour could be ten.

Me: Signs blank cheque.

No Pants

MadsL wrote: »

How likely is that with the ignition off? Genuine question, I'm not an auto sparks.

And let's be clear; this is a sixteen year old truck.

Normally, I would say never. However, you have a short somewhere and I wouldn't trust the normal rules to apply.

visual

First Up wrote: »

Great thread. Someone refuses to take a problem to a professional, but takes advice and diagnosis from anonymous amateurs 7,000 miles from the car.
What a world.

World Wide Web ! And electric circuits still work the same way 7000 miles away. The yanks anticipated one day a pixie head advice would be needed and changed their battery eathing to match ours battery -ve to vehicle body.

There is very very few real auto electrician's most are mechanics with a flare for electrics.

Because of the high labour costs in the states most try to DIY and from my experience on US sites they are very knowledgeable and helpful


This has got me thinking.... I wonder how close some of us must be posting and replying.

MadsL

I trust my reluctance to "get it to a professional" is now clear.

I'm going to try disconnecting the trailer outlet connection and pop another fuse in for now.

The fine for not using a turn signal is $55 by the way. At max having defective signals would be $300, but the and/or 90 days in jail is a bit of motivator

colm_mcm

Would the fact that its dangerous not motivate you at all?

MadsL

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would the fact that its dangerous not motivate you at all?

It is only more "dangerous" if I don't modify my driving behaviour. Which I do.

Would it be dangerous for me to drive a vehicle with no indicators? A vintage tractor say?

I'll accept that there is more added risk, but I think dangerous is a bit strong.

2 stroke

My bet is on the trailer connector, but is fuse blowing both left and right? that could mean trouble under the dash.

MadsL

2 stroke wrote: »

My bet is on the trailer connector, but is fuse blowing both left and right? that could mean trouble under the dash.

Blowing the fuse - so both really.

First Up

MadsL wrote: »

I trust my reluctance to "get it to a professional" is now clear.

I'm going to try disconnecting the trailer outlet connection and pop another fuse in for now.

The fine for not using a turn signal is $55 by the way. At max having defective signals would be $300, but the and/or 90 days in jail is a bit of motivator

What's clear is that you are more concerned about being ripped off than with incurring fines, imprisonment or endangering other road users. Do you live in a place of such anarchy that there are no certified, accredited professionals of repute who make an honest living? Or maybe you are just not prepared to accept what it will take to fix the car?

Do you feel the same about all service providers? Let us know next time you are not feeling great - I'm sure we will be able to sort you out better and cheaper than one of those "doctors".

Greyfoot

Indicators count as extra here in Malta, car value goes significantly up if the car equipped with it, worth more than an aircon or full leather.

First Up

Greyfoot wrote: »

Indicators count as extra here in Malta, car value goes significantly up if the car equipped with it, worth more than an aircon or full leather.

I presume the car is unusable if the horn doesn't work?

Greyfoot

First Up wrote: »

I presume the car is unusable if the horn doesn't work?

Driving without a horn is a serious crime indeed

Renegade Mechanic

Greyfoot wrote: »

Driving without a horn is a serious crime indeed

A device to signal your vehicles approach, mind. Not an impromptu steering lock!:D

2 stroke

MadsL wrote: »

Blowing the fuse - so both really.

I'll rephrase my question. Is the fuse blowing before you indicate? when you indicate right? when you indicate left? when you use hazards? Do lights flash a few times, slowly or rapidly, or fail immediatly without flashing. Do indicators work when parked up with new fuse but fail while driving. You've spent 5 to 6 hours faultfinding without trying the trailer socket, surely you've tried to eliminate one side circuit. Did you check side repeaters?

MadsL

First Up wrote: »

What's clear is that you are more concerned about being ripped off than with incurring fines, imprisonment or endangering other road users. Do you live in a place of such anarchy that there are no certified, accredited professionals of repute who make an honest living? Or maybe you are just not prepared to accept what it will take to fix the car?

Do you feel the same about all service providers? Let us know next time you are not feeling great - I'm sure we will be able to sort you out better and cheaper than one of those "doctors".

If you can advise a strategy to get it to a 'professional' rather than a chain of Pepboys or Jiffy Lube trained monkeys and keep a reasonable price without literally writing the guy a blank cheque, I'm all ears.

As the fuse replacement works for a while whats to stop me being charged for 2-3 "investigation" only for it to blow again 3 miles down the road?

Really I would love to know what your own strategy would be here? Stick around and watch the guy work?

2 stroke wrote: »

I'll rephrase my question. Is the fuse blowing before you indicate? when you indicate right? when you indicate left? when you use hazards? Do lights flash a few times, slowly or rapidly, or fail immediatly without flashing. Do indicators work when parked up with new fuse but fail while driving. You've spent 5 to 6 hours faultfinding without trying the trailer socket, surely you've tried to eliminate one side circuit. Did you check side repeaters?

Doesn't seem to have a pattern other than sometimes it blows during heavy breaking and indicating. I'm gonna drive it today with the trailer connection uncoupled.

First Up

MadsL wrote: »

If you can advise a strategy to get it to a 'professional' rather than a chain of Pepboys or Jiffy Lube trained monkeys and keep a reasonable price without literally writing the guy a blank cheque, I'm all ears.

As the fuse replacement works for a while whats to stop me being charged for 2-3 "investigation" only for it to blow again 3 miles down the road?

Really I would love to know what your own strategy would be here? Stick around and watch the guy work?



Doesn't seem to have a pattern other than sometimes it blows during heavy breaking and indicating. I'm gonna drive it today with the trailer connection uncoupled.

How about making some inquiries in the locality as to who has the best reputation? If you can't fix it, and don't trust anyone else to do so - maybe sell the bloody thing?

MadsL

First Up wrote: »

How about making some inquiries in the locality as to who has the best reputation? If you can't fix it, and don't trust anyone else to do so - maybe sell the bloody thing?

I intend to, and am trying to fix it. But if your only strategy is to ask around or sell the thing (I'll get a great price with no indicators won't I?) without any ideas about how to avoid that blank cheque writing please don't lecture me again.

2 stroke

MadsL wrote: »

Doesn't seem to have a pattern other than sometimes it blows during heavy breaking and indicating. I'm gonna drive it today with the trailer connection uncoupled.

Could be bare wire, where wires pass through a bulkhead, again don't forget side repeaters.

First Up

MadsL wrote: »

I intend to, and am trying to fix it. But if your only strategy is to ask around or sell the thing (I'll get a great price with no indicators won't I?) without any ideas about how to avoid that blank cheque writing please don't lecture me again.

As long as you think you are entitled to be an illegal menace on the road, while indulging in your paranoia about being overcharged, you deserve a lot more than a lecture.