Relays...

walkerdude2001 · Post by **walkerdude2001** » 16th January 2007 - 1:23am

could be a possible problem, not getting indicators....just wondering if anyone has abny ideas.....

battery went flat, and i heard a ticking, when i tried to start the 411, no juice that is when the ticking started, tried indicators, and both cme on flashing rapidly. It sounded like it was coming from somewhere behind the dash; and i was wondering if it was possibly the relay or a bulb that has gone.

any ideas suggestions on a postcard please.....

eggster71 · Post by **eggster71** » 16th January 2007 - 5:55pm

Most cars indicators flash faster if a bulb's out.... have you tried the hazzard switch to turn all 4 on??

walkerdude2001 · Post by **walkerdude2001** » 16th January 2007 - 10:27pm

Yep, and i still hear the ticking quite rapidly....will be looking into it more this weekend... want to check the bulbs and fuses first, then the relays....

nidge · Post by **nidge** » 19th January 2007 - 6:57pm

Charge the battery and see if it does it again?

walkerdude2001 · Post by **walkerdude2001** » 20th January 2007 - 12:23am

bought a new battery for the bug, but found it fitted the 411 so put it in the 411...

Post by **Editor** » 20th January 2007 - 9:08am

All batteries I've found meant for VWs fit the Type 3 and Type 4 - as in +/- orientation and the clamping edge on the bottom. I think they all have the two holes for the + cover too, but I'm not so sure of that aspect - the under-bonnet ones wouldn't need that feature anyway.

You will find the spec for the FI version is a higher rating - 45 Ah - as it's a lot more critical for the FI system than a carb one, but I've used both in my FI Type 3. Cranking will be easier than in a watercooled VW anyway. I usually get a couple more years out of an ex w/c battery in my a/c VWs - much lower cmpression ratio.

walkerdude2001 · Post by **walkerdude2001** » 26th January 2007 - 9:13am

yes it was a 45 Ah battery that i bought, as it would have been pointless to buy anything less. i still have the old battery which is a 43 Ah battery that i can keep as a spare, but i just need to get it charged up!!

but i am no nearer to solving the riddle of the ticking, but i am thinking it could be an alarm that was fitted to the car that has gone bang, as it was never working anyway when i first bought the car. i might have toi get an autolec to look at it, and solve the mystery for me.

oh well....

Post by **Editor** » 26th January 2007 - 12:40pm

Death-watch beetle is unlikely!

Rapidly flashing incicator bulbs means there isn't enough current flowing in the bulb side of the relay circuit so the relay switches more rapidly. It's usually because one bulb is out, but here it probably means there's a fault in the flasher relay. Remove it and reinsert - that may clean up the pins a bit. Also check the fuese in case corrosion there is reducing the current in the circuit.

squirrel · Post by **squirrel** » 26th January 2007 - 10:17pm

could well be an old alarm that has kicked into life if the battery went flat.. if you want any advice on the electrical side give me a call .. spent 11 years as an auto electrician ... it will be easy to trace and remove ( if its an old moss one that could even have drained the battery in the first place .. have had loads do that !!!

squirrel · Post by **squirrel** » 26th January 2007 - 10:22pm

just read your post again and if it was an alarm it would look like the hazards were going or if it was partially disconected it would click but not affect the indicators ... sounds like a possibal back feed through the dash warning bulb for indicators or hazzards ..