Indicator issue

Hi all,
Just put my 200tdi 110 in for an MOT - which didn't go quite to plan....
All the bodywork/bulkhead issues which I was worrying about - were fine - woop!
However the lights which I tested yesterday weren't

There was no n/s main beam, indicator, sidelight! - The MOT garage are good sports and just said - sort it out, drop it off and we'll pass it/

So, I nipped out just (in my "working from home" lunchbreak and the problem has evolved/morphed
N/s mainbeam and all lights working fine but:
- n's indicator flashing the side light and not flashing indicator or repeater
- dash panel info lights pulsing on the indicator tick

Am I right in suspecting an earth somewhere?
I'm assuming it's going to be in the area of the n/s light cluster...which I did have a apart the other week to clean the green algae from inside the indicator and sidelight lenses - I did at the time clean and grease all contacts, but damp is definitely getting in.

Any thoughts?

Yes, it does sound very like an earth issue.
Could be up on the bulkhead, or behind the instruments/binnacle ....

@JokerUK , if earths, run through each earth point at a time, clean up and then use 2x star washers on the cable eye side [1x between eye and body, 1x between eye outer side and nut washer] [this assumes the earths haven't been bodged using self tapper screws by a previous owner]. Ideally use small nuts/bolts for all earths as this gives a firm fixing point.

As above, pull out the indicator and side lamps and clean all contacts again, I guess an earth may have slipped out.

So an update. I decided to start with the steering column/binnacle as there was a slight looseness to the indicator/light switch.
Took of the shrouds (steering column) checked all the wires
Looked behind the binnacle, re-seated the flasher unit (which seemed pretty well seated)

and annoyingly everything works....
So I've dropped it back off for a re-test, knowing full well that whatever it was I haven't actually fixed but definitely need to locate and remedy

I know I've been in Defender ownership for the last 7 years with 10 prior years with disco's and range-rovers so I should have learned that nothing is ever simple - but why oh why -is it never simple!

On a positive note I have a really excellent condition bulkhead sitting in the back of my 110 waiting to be sand blasted, painted, sealed and rustproofed so I know I will have to have all the dash/bulkhead wiring out which is a good opportunity to do it properly and securely. I just need an MOTed Defender to ship the bulkhead around!

v8250 said:

@JokerUK , if earths, run through each earth point at a time, clean up and then use 2x star washers on the cable eye side [1x between eye and body, 1x between eye outer side and nut washer] [this assumes the earths haven't been bodged using self tapper screws by a previous owner]. Ideally use small nuts/bolts for all earths as this gives a firm fixing point.

Click to expand...

good tip! most Earths so far are self tapped.....

tottot said:

As above, pull out the indicator and side lamps and clean all contacts again, I guess an earth may have slipped out.

Click to expand...

I've been holding off replacing all the indicator and side-lamp units, prioritising other things, but the time is probably here as they are in a state of serious plastic decay

JokerUK said:

good tip! most Earths so far are self tapped.....

Click to expand...

I've never understood why Land Rover used self tappers anywhere near earth wiring points - same with Land Rover owners, they complain when their electrics start playing up yet they're using self tappers

One great tip is to reduce the number of earth points within a vehicle's lighting i.e. 1x earth per corner light set [headlamp, side, indicator] and properly install these earths with nut&bolt, and to reposition the earth point with easy access. This way only 1x corner max' can fail at any one time and all 3x lights fail it's near guaranteed it's an earthing problem.

Yep, sounds like earth fault,
As above, redone mine with good size nuts & bolts. Now have a problem with the head lights come on when the ignition is switched on. Looks like I have day running lights. ‍