Intermittent indicator problem

[100BUR]

Went out for a little run today as the sun was shining, after about 20 miles we pulled in for a coffee.
I noticed the indicator light on the speedo was not flashing, this is the exact place it stopped working last time we were out in the car.
When I got home after the last run I removed and cleanded the fuses and the indicators were working again. This time when we got back to the car after the coffee the indicators were working again and fine all the way home and after jiggling of the flasher unit on the drive the indicators were still flashing away.
All suggestions most welcome.
I have a later wiring harness fitted to the car with the plastic connector block at the bottom of the column and the later indicator stalk.
The flasher unit is the later cylinder type fitted into MiniSpares 5L433 holder, I can't seem to get the flasher unit out of the holder at the moment I've tried turning it and a gentle pull.
Thanks

[Tim]

I'll just point out that indicators are meant to be intermittent...

But seriously, is it the contacts in the indicator switch itself? They're pretty rudimentary switches, just springy copper wire wiping across rivet heads. It doesn't take much wear and corrosion for the contacts to go high resistance. Luckily they are easy to polish up with some fine wet and dry paper. Do the contacts in the fuse box at the same time.

Tim

[100BUR]

Thanks Tim,
I'clean them up today, I've got a little fibreglass pen that will hopefully do the trick.
Cheers

[100BUR]

Unfortunately cleaning the stalk connections and fuse box did not work

The stalk is relatively new as is the wiring harness they were changed about five years ago now, until now I've had no electrical gremlins.
The connections on the stalk were clean as were the fuse box, I did give them a clean anyway.
All wires going into the fuse box appear to be good there's no corrosion on them and they all look to be secure . Flasher unit connections clean.

After cleaning the stalk and fuse box I went for a little test drive and on setting off the indicators were working fine , the previous journeys were they stopped working from home at exactly the same spot worked out at seven indications so on the seven use of the indicators they stopped working again and I turnd3d the car around and headed home.
Initially they were still not working after trying uther several times, all of a sudden they were working all the way home were I tried them in batches on seven, then again on the drive numerous times now and in the garage and all-seeing fine.

I'm m a little confused

[Peter Laidler]

It is definitely an electrical connection. Turn the indicators on and wiggle the wires until it stops - or starts -working. As you are driving along the wiring is moving about giving you the same effect.

[100BUR]

Thanks will do
I'm going to work my way through the connections, once I finish the hobs lust the wife has just found for me

[100BUR]

That's Job's List...

[minibitz]

"Hobs lust" sounded more intriguing!

[iain1967s]

When it’s in the ‘not working’ state, is it just the stalk green tell-tale end lamp that isn’t blinking, or is it the actual indicators outside on the car? If I remember correctly the tell-tale ground return is via the steering rack, so can be finicky if there is too much paint under the clamps etc. for a good connection. Later models used a separate black ground cable up to the stalk switch gear.

[100BUR]

Thanks for the reply
It's the later stalk without the green bulb.
No dash indications or the outside lights.
Hopefully I'll get a bit more time to look at it further tomorrow.
Cheers

[100BUR]

I never really got to the bottom of my intermittent indicator fault.
The Elf was covered up in the garage and it is only recently I've had time to look at it further
I decided to change the brake/indicators and sidelight bulbs to LED's , and must say I would totally recommend Classic Car LED great service and info from Ducan.
Before I changed the bulbs I went through all the connections from flasher unit/stalk/warning light with my multimeter for continuity and checked all connections at lamp holders everything was fine I could not find any bad connections.
The only thing I did find was that the indicator warning speedo light was lose in its holder.

Was this the cause of my intermittent fault?

I have now fitted the three pin flasher unit from Classic car LED's and wired this direct to the warning light bypassing the indicator stalk