One side of indicator not working

[nwxh]

One side of the indicator doesn't work at all, no lights on including the green flasher. Does this mean a problem with the contacts of the switch? Do I take off the steering wheel behind the horn to get to everything and inspect?

[bmcecosse]

Maybe - or a wire pulled out - sure it's not just a blown bulb?

[nwxh]

Would both bulbs be off if it was a blown bulb? I can find out by probing the connections at the bullets.

[bmcecosse]

Usually one would be flashing really fast - but different flashers have different response.

[GBond]

Had this happen with a new indicator switch, there's a "U" shaped metal contact piece that moves up and down with the lever which is what actually makes the electrical contact. In my case it bent and was about 2mm out of place but this was enough for it not to work on one side.
Managed to bend it back with tweezers and then greased the contacts well so that it wouldn't bend out of shape again. (Using special grease that's designed for electrical contacts)

This is, of course, after bulbs, connectors and the flasher unit check out.

[nwxh]

I checked with a multimetre from behind the wheel and It is indeed the contacts. The middle one correctly makes contact left and right, but the top one doesn't. Many thanks. There is a gap between the cover and the steering wheel, so I wonder if that's contributing. I have ordered a 33mm socket to take off the steering wheel. (Yes there are chisel marks, but I don't feel brave.)

I also find the horn button falls off, however I assume I just have to put up with it unless I spend £30 on a replacement? NB the car failed its MOT last year, with previous owner, only because of the horn. If I bite the bullet and buy a new horn and associated stuff, and new indicator, would that solve all the problems for another 40 years, or it will it be low quality stuff that worse than just fixing the current stuff?

[LouiseM]

If you have a late type 2 spoke steering wheel with a push in horn button which is just falling out a couple of these clips will keep it in: http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... c0731ddf76

No point considering buying a new indicator until you find out what the problem is - the contacts might just need adjusting.

[nwxh]

Thanks for the clips suggestion, I'll try them.

It suddenly started working again overnight (temperature/humidity?). Perhaps I can fix it just by flexing the contacts back. I have some conductive grease.

[nwxh]

I got a socket, and managed to take off the steering wheel. Contact grease on the contacts seemed to work (couldn't fully disassemble to clean the contacts properly).

I noticed that the "sticky outy bit" which is meant to cancel the indicators doesn't line up with the indicator mechanism. Also,. it seems like the steering wheel ought to be further forward, but perhaps not. I guess I'll leave it while it works.

BTW, there is some rust on the threads and splines. I put some distilled vinegar on to try and cut some it out. At what point would the column or steering wheel need total replacement?

[andy.pointeer]

The indicator switch is mounted onto a tube around the steering column, the tube is held in place by the mounting bracket that holds the steering column up to the bottom of the dash. If you loosen the two screws on the mounting bracket you can move the tube so that the indicator switch is in line with the post used to cancel the indicators. The post is also adjustable.

Hope this helps

[nwxh]

That makes sense, cheers. It didn't occur to me that it could be mounted anywhere on the column, but I will move it forward. Many thanks!