Headlight Flashing with Indicator

[scottymalotty]

Hi,

I recently did a semi-restoration on my 1964 Morris Traveller which involved new wings, side lights and a full re-spray. When I got my lights all connected up again I had some problems with the indicator flashing slowly and when I indicate to turn right my passenger side headlamp flashes also.

People have told me its a bad earth but I have checked all the earths and they seem fine. I noticed at the weekend when I removed the earth for the passenger side headlamp when the car is indicating then the headlamp stops flashing but probably won't work as a headlamp.

Anyone able to offer me some advice I am pretty clueless when it comes to car electrics?

Cheers,
Scott

[bmcecosse]

Welcome to the Forum! It IS a bad earth situation! Are you sure the wires to the headlamp are connected correctly?

[RobMoore]

I had a similar issue yesterday.
My left indication was flashing the front side light, I replaced the earthwires and that resolved so yes as Roy states it will most definately be a bad earth.

[beero]

The slow indicator could be a faulty relay or just low voltage. Is it any faster with the engine running?
Regarding the flashing headlamp, disconnect all the passenger side bullet connectors and reconnect them one at a time and test. For example, connect the green indicator wire and the black earths and see if the indicators work. Then the red side light and test both again, then the blue/red dipped beam and test all three, the the blue white main beam and test all four and let us know at what point it goes wrong.

[PSL184]

The sidelight/indicator unit would originally have earthed to the body. Since your respray I am guessing it is no longer seeing earth and is therefore using the wiring to find an earth path which happens to be through your headlight. Easiest solution is to run a wire from a good clean point on the body to the back of the metal indicator / sidelight housing. Clamp the wire in place with the screw that holds the light to the body and the other end of the wire to the inner wing (after scraping off underseal / gunk etc)....

[scottymalotty]

Hi,

Many thanks for all the replies...I will go out directly and give these suggestions a go!!

Cheers,
Scott

[scottymalotty]

Hi,

I did as suggested and disconnected everything and using the wiring diagram and the notes suggested started to reconnect things.

I then noticed I had an extra wire which previously I had connected to the remaining spare connection on the triple connector the other cables were connecting to.

I left this disconnected and everything started to work. It seemed a bit strange having this spare wire floating about but I then realised that I had a spare earth connect point next to the existing one on the inner wing. I connected this spare wire to that and everything continued to work but the lights were stronger and the indicators were more purposeful in their ticking!!

Success!! Brilliant!! No more embarrassing flashing headlamp when I indicate.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!!

Cheers,
Scott.

[bmcecosse]

We aim to please.......

[beero]

Well done. So satisfying when you sort it yourself, eh?

[scottymalotty]

Yes very satisfying has motivated me to lie underneath the car most evenings and slaver black smoothright on her bum!!