XG Ute Hi Beam / Indicator / Horn Stalk Issue

[masonb 2]

Hey guys,

First time poster here and a novice at cars, sorry if this in the incorrect section. I bought the XG as I wanted to learn a bit more about cars and fixing things myself so expect to see a lot more of me.

I've got a fault with my indicators, they occasionally just stop working. Hazards are fine but just in case i changed the flasher relay - issue still remained so I suspected the stalk after reading some threads here.

I removed the steering wheel and unscrewed the metal cover that goes over the stalk in an attempt to clean the contacts however in doing so 2 ball bearing popped out and I  have no idea where they are meant to sit. I'm guessing they work with this other little plastic bit with 2 metallic contacts on it?

I was wondering if anyone had a photo as to how this should be assembled so I can pop it back together. I've put the steering wheel back on for now, indicators are still working but the stalk is now loose and I can't toggle hi-beam.

I also noticed that when moving the stalk around the horn started going off - the actual button on the stalk for the horn has never worked so im guessing somewhere in there is a lose wire or contact and when I move the stalk it triggers the horn - a bit of a pain in the ass when your trying to screw things back in as it keeps moving and going off - i guess i can just disconnect the battery to avoid this.

I'll grab some photos and upload later if that helps but after reading the forums this seemed like a common issue so hoping someone out there has some snaps already.

Look forward to your suggestions.
Thanks

Ben

[deankxf 20,288]

you could unplug the horn wire at the horn for the horn issue.
the ball bearing would have a spring pushing against it to give a firm position i think.

if you post a pic i might be able to spot it but i haven't pulled one apart before(i always had spares, so would have just swapped the whole assy over)

i fixed one once by spraying CRC(electrical spray would be better) inside everywhere and turning the blinkers on off, high and low beam etc about 20 times.

 

[masonb 2]

Yeh I saw a post saying WD40 did the trick, i'll take it apart again tomorrow and take some photos.

Thanks mate

 

[masonb 2]

Ok so I ripped her apart and gave it another crack, I think it's meant to sit something like this? Does that look about right - there are 2 springs inside the plastic and are flush against it where i've sat the ball bearing so im guessing that's where it's meant to go.

http://imgur.com/a/Hhd1O

There is one ball bearing missing so I'll have to find one to put in the bottom spring. Also the plastic bit with metal (copper?) wrapped around it rotates to the right - i had it inserted incorrectly in the photo.

 

 

[deankxf 20,288]

i cant make a lot of sense from that photo.. but if its like any of those type of things it can only go in one way(and work)

 

[masonb 2]

Yeh I feel like its the right way but until I get a second ball bearing can't be sure.

Here is another photo with the stalk pulled out a little, you can see the springs inside the plastic - thats where im putting the ball bearing. It sits against the spring and in that little cavity when pushed back in.

I'm guessing the ball bearing / spring are there to just hold the stalk firm while allowing it to move into position to engage the Hi-Beams. It's just loose without them but everything works as it should.

 

[deankxf 20,288]

yeah i agree. must be indentations for the balls to rest in on high and low beam (but not flash... pulled forward)

[SPArKy_Dave 8,873]

If the indicators are dodgy, it will be caused by the contacts in the Hazard light switch.
The indicator wiring goes via the hazard light switch.

Fix the problem, by simply toggling the hazard light switch in and out a few dozen times in rapid succession.
Doing that, has the effect of scraping off the corrosion from the internal contacts.

Important Tip -
if you ever come across a situation where the Left and/or Right indicators are flashing rapidly, but all the globes are fine...
Look to see if you have a factory fitted trailer plug.
The factory fitted plugs have an internal resistor, with a bridging contact in the flap of the trailer plug.
This was to allow a higher rated analogue flasher can (for the extra load of trailer lights), while still retaining normal flashing rates with and without a trailer connected.

If the Left and/or right resistors are not in the circuit without a trailer connected, (via the contacts on the trailer plug flap) whichever side is dodgy, will have fast flashing indicators.
Cleaning the contacts in the trailer plug flap, will solve that issue.

Modern electronic flasher cans, can self regulate with varying load, so from the late 80's onwards, there are no resistors in the factory trailer plugs.

 

[masonb 2]

Thanks Dave, appreciate the tip man. I took the steering wheel off today and sprayed a whole bunch of WD40 in there, I'll give that switch a shot next time it happens.

Picked up some ball bearings and a tube of rubber grease from Repco  but can't seem to get the bearings to stay in place on the spring. Spent an hour on it but they just kept slipping when I pushed the stalk back into place to fix the metal cover - i'll give it another crack when I can be assed with it but for now the stalk is just loose and won't toggle hi-beam on. It will however sit in the hi-beam flash position and allow me to indicate so that works for now.

[Valvebouncer 2,389]

If the indicators are dodgy, it will be caused by the contacts in the Hazard light switch.
The indicator wiring goes via the hazard light switch.
Fix the problem, by simply toggling the hazard light switch in and out a few dozen times in rapid succession.
Doing that, has the effect of scraping off the corrosion from the internal contacts.

Well said Dave, spot on. I've found this quite common in late model xf and xg but not 1986 and earlier. I guess they don't make things like they used too!