The MOT on my 2004 TD5 defender has expirered, and I'm slowly making my way through the list of things to fix before I take it in for a test, but I'm a bit stuck with some trouble I'm having with my indicators.

1. The drivers side wing (side) indicator doesn't work. I've checked with my multimeter and it's not getting any voltage at the bulb holder.

2. Sometimes, when other lights are turned on, the drivers side front indicator blinks 2-3 times, then turns of for a random amount of time, then starts working again. It does this over and over.

3. For a little while, I have found that when I fire it up for the first time that day, the indicators don't work until I turn the hazards on and off. It will then work for the rest of the day even if I turn everything off for a few hours. (not sure if this would have been fixed by the new hazard switch, as I replaced it a couple of hours ago)

I have tried replacing the side indicators with LED ones incase it was a dead bulb (before testing with my multimeter, doh), and have also replaced the hazard switch as I've heard that could fix some issues.


I'm a total novice, so any advice is appreciated. I figure I may as well take a stab at fixing it before taking it to a garage while I already have the dash dismantled.

A friend has told me "it's probably a dodgy ground" but I'm not sure where to look?

replace your flasher relay first, easy 5 min job its behind the speedo etc

Other options are the stalks and your earths

Cheers, I'll pick up a new relay and give the grounds a look. I managed to find a diagram showing where they all are

I wouldnt rule out the hazard light switch as well, it plays a part in the indicators be carefull they are an expensive item !!! good luck

Just incase someone finds this in google results, and wonders what fixed it;
The front drivers indicator was a bad bulb holder, i realised when i hit it while it was off, the light would start flashing normally suggesting there was a dodgy connection there somewhere. Replaced it and everything was fine
The drivers wing indicator was a weird one. When I took out the front indicator, i found an extra side indicator hidden behind there wrapped in masking tape, I guess from when it was re-sprayed. Pulled it through to the wing, plugged it into the led side indicator, and it worked. No idea why i have a second not-working connector but ah well.
The problem where the indicators wouldn't work until i turned the hazards on and off was likely fixed by replacing the hazard switch but who knows.. I also changed the relay so i can't really say which one fixed it. It's a good job someone suggested to replace that relay because the previous owner fitted an LED indicator relay which meant they were way too dull