Peugeot 406 - "The Worst Drive of my Life" - Indicator flashes randomlythen continuous

Discussion in 'Peugeot 406' started by Rob (UK), Feb 12, 2005.

  1. Rob (UK)

    Rob (UK) Guest

    This happened a few weeks ago.
    My reliable 1999 406Hdi 110BHP developed a niggle after new-year. The
    indicators would flash a few times after turning the ignition to
    accessory, then go off when I started the car. This strange behaviour
    got worse and worse, sometimes having to turn the indicator on to turn
    it off again.

    After buying the Haynes manual (pretty useless unless you want to
    dismantle the engine). Convinced it was some earthing problem I located
    the earth points up under the dash in each foot well, tightened but no
    real effect.

    It all went really bad one day driving 40 miles home down the M3. The
    indicator started flashing (left) and no matter what I did could not
    stop it, save occasionally holding the stalk hard in and odd position.
    Caused real havoc with other motorists and I was a complete stress head
    by the time I got home.

    Eventually found the control unit, but forget taking it out, or even
    removing the connectors, as its behind the fusebox tucked up under the
    drivers side foot well.

    Eventually took the indicator switch itself off and here I found the
    problem. The indicator switch is just a changeover switch with a centre
    off position. The off resistance was less than 500Ohms, and this was
    causing the electronics to false trigger. I could move the switch around
    and get varying resistances, but never more than a few hundred ohms. For
    those non electrically minded people, it should be hundreds of MegaOhms,
    not hundreds of ohms, on an open circuit. I was tempted to take the
    switch apart, but a) it looks expensive and b) looked like there were a
    lot of pieces in it, as its the light controls as well. A quick blast
    through with some switch cleaner, and now the contacts measure
    open-circuit, and it's all been OK since. Phew!

    This is definitely a case of modern electronics fouling up. If it were
    an old lamp flasher this would never happen.

    Robert
    Older and wiser
     
    Rob (UK), Feb 12, 2005
    #1
  2. Rob (UK)

    G.T Guest

    Hi,
    Should be over limit (displays OL) or "1" alone at the left of the display
    indeed.

    Perhaps you should fit another commodo.
     
    G.T, Feb 13, 2005
    #2
  3. Rob (UK)

    Nom Guest

    So what you're saying, is that your stalk-switch died. It's easily replaced,
    if need be.
    It just needs a new swicth - there's no trauma :)
     
    Nom, Feb 14, 2005
    #3
  4. Rob (UK)

    Nik&Andy Guest

    I Agree, had it been an older car, it would have caught fire too ;)
     
    Nik&Andy, Feb 14, 2005
    #4
  5. Rob (UK)

    Rob (UK) Guest

    You have a point. I remember smoking electrics backing in the 80's
     
    Rob (UK), Feb 14, 2005
    #5
  6. Rob (UK)

    Nik&Andy Guest

    Mind you, didn't the original advert for the (Drive of your life) '406' have
    a bloke setting fire to fields or something.... maybe they where trying to
    tell you something.
    Or was it a 405?

    French Advert :- Man setting fire to field in 406....
    English Reality :- Kids setting fire to your 406 in a field!

    God I'm getting cynical in my old age (29)!

    Andy
     
    Nik&Andy, Feb 15, 2005
    #6
  7. Rob (UK)

    Nom Guest

    It was the 405, and it was filmed in australia. They kept melting the cars
    wiper blades as they filmed :)
     
    Nom, Feb 16, 2005
    #7
  8. Rob (UK)

    Nik&Andy Guest

    ROTFL - No doubt that's a 'Design Feature'....

    Andy
     
    Nik&Andy, Feb 16, 2005
    #8
  9. Rob (UK)

    Nom Guest

    The fact that they melt when you drive through fire ? I suspect it's a
    design feature that ALL cars have taken on board ;)
     
    Nom, Feb 17, 2005
    #9
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