WDB
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Post by WDB on Jan 25, 2022 14:51:03 GMT
I don’t often come in here but today I took the Aygo out for a token 20-mile exercise run. It started first time, as it always does, but something odd happened as I turned right out of our road: the indicator flashed a bit but then stopped. Something similar happened at a couple more junctions.
My first thought (fear?) was that the battery might be weak and not driving the flashing circuit properly. But a bit of experimentation found that it’s sensitive to how I move the lever — gentler is better. So I suspect, in fact, it’s a dirty contact or two somewhere, which should be an easy fix if I can get in to clean it.
So, how easy is that? Preferably with a spray of something and no screwdriver required!
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Post by Humph on Jan 25, 2022 14:57:20 GMT
Dodgy bulb maybe?
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Post by Humph on Jan 25, 2022 14:59:10 GMT
Put the hazards on and have a walk round. If a bulb is failing it might be just that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2022 15:04:19 GMT
Shonky French built rubbish. You need a Corolla.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jan 25, 2022 15:08:30 GMT
No, all six bulbs are fine. It’s definitely in the switch, as I’ve just found I can make the flashing stop or start with a forward or backward nudge of the lever. But there’s no obvious gap to get anything in to clean the contacts. I’m hoping it’s just an effect of this cold, damp spell. Now I know the pattern, I can drive around it, next time with the heater and AC to get the interior warm and dry enough to remove any stray moisture. Shonky French built rubbish. You need a Corolla. Czech, isn’t it? |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2022 15:14:54 GMT
Is it? I thought all the Aygos, C1s and 107s of that generation were built in France. Could be wrong of course, as usual.
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Post by Humph on Jan 25, 2022 15:20:16 GMT
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Jan 25, 2022 15:23:53 GMT
Yep, other owners seem to have found the same problem. I’m not removing a steering wheel with an airbag in it, so if it doesn’t clear up when the weather improves, it’ll be a job for a blokey.
I wonder whether my Volvo’s indicator switch was made of sterner stuff, or whether it just got enough use over 140,000 miles to keep its contacts bright and clean. The Aygo is almost as old as the Volvo was then and will scrape over 40,000 next time out.
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Post by Humph on Jan 25, 2022 15:25:41 GMT
Doesn’t look hard. What could possibly go wrong?
😬
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2022 15:56:16 GMT
Plan A) Wait to see if it fixes itself with usage/warmth
Plan B) Spray copious amounts of WD40 in there [or similar] and use switch a lot
Plan C) Bloke
I'm with you, there isn't a plan which includes me taking a steering wheel off with an airbag in it.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Mar 31, 2022 15:21:11 GMT
Well, the warmer weather didn’t fix it. And it ceased to be an intermittent problem and simply didn’t work at all, so the car was essentially undrivable. But today it’s been over to the place I use for MoTs just outside town, with me muttering, “Just imagine it’s an Audi” and MrsB1 five minutes behind to drive me back.
It seems Toyota parts people know all about this problem and keep plenty of spares for it, so it was done by lunchtime. 180 quid, though, which at the rate we use it must work out at several pence a flash. But it works — and the car still starts first time despite all that standing around. I drove it a slightly long way home to put a little back into the battery, but I suppose such a small engine doesn’t need a lot of turning over.
Now to see whether I can afford to insure it for Boy1 to drive solo…
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Post by Humph on Mar 31, 2022 15:31:01 GMT
Should be ok on insurance, or as ok as these things can be. Best deal we could find was Admiral on one of their multi car thingies.
Year 1 solo for H Jnr was about £900 I think, but he was only 17. It’s come down a lot since.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Mar 31, 2022 17:20:52 GMT
At least you knew it was the indicator stalk causing a problem. I think there is an intermittent parasitic drain on the Seicento battery. I Put a multimeter in series with the battery -ve terminal and lead to measure Amp draw. And it seemed to be zero with everything off, doors closed. So I refitted everything only now I'm thinking what if the draw on the battery is periodic and I didn't wait long enough. Will have to have another go. I know taking it to our preferred place will sort it but these things take time to pinpoint so won't be cheap.
Had wanted to sort it before today though because the 330e which is the last resort to jump start it was going back.* The small battery jumper starter works up to a point of 'flatness' but I probably should have got a bigger one. Thought it was going to be okay for CCA compared to the 12v battery.
* Phone call at lunchtime to say the driver's train had been delayed so he won't be coming today after all.... Surely someone could still get here before the time window expired as it was an 8am to 6pm pickup window and I was called at 12:30. Hopefully it goes tomorrow.
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Post by dixinormus on Mar 31, 2022 17:46:10 GMT
That’s a helluva delayed train Rob!
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Mar 31, 2022 18:33:27 GMT
That's what I thought  Not delayed until tomorrow but I am sure he could have got to Stockport before 6pm as that was the end of the collection window. I wonder if he got payed for the full day? |
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Not delayed until tomorrow but I am sure he could have got to Stockport before 6pm as that was the end of the collection window. I wonder if he got payed for the full day?