My front offside (drivers) indicator flashes too fast! OK, I know normally, when this happens, it means there is a bulb out in the circuit! Right, there is a bulb out (offside/drivers rear) but I have replaced it with 4 bulbs and it still does not illuminate and the front one flashes twice as fast.

So, this is saying it is not a bulb problem. Is the Flasher Unit at fault or do you think it's a bad earth somewhere?

Need this fixing for my MOT next week...

Sounds like a circuit problem, the high speed flashing occurs because a bulb resistance isn't in the circuit, not just because it's blown!

Connections at that light unit offside rear (yes including earth) would be my first thought.

[quote="jinglebells"]Sounds like a circuit problem, the high speed flashing occurs because a bulb resistance isn't in the circuit, not just because it's blown!

Connections at that light unit offside rear (yes including earth) would be my first thought.[/quote]

Checked that and all seems fine! Just about to remove the boot trim so I can get at the wiring to clean it all (I have some Servisol spray to use too). It was all working fine Friday when I fitted 2 x new brake light bulbs. Got up Saturday and it's been like it since...

Incorrect wattage can also be an issue, e.g. 5W bulb in 21W socket. Or voltage e.g. 24V bulb in 12V system.

But as it does not illuminate it could also be a faulty socket or wiring to the socket. Check you get 12V at the socket.

[b]Patrick[/b]

[quote="Vic_NG17"] It was all working fine Friday when I fitted 2 x new brake light bulbs. Got up Saturday and it's been like it since...[/quote]

hang on - did I read that right - it was all fine until you fitted new brake light bulbs?

There's a clue there .........

[quote="jinglebells"][quote="Vic_NG17"] It was all working fine Friday when I fitted 2 x new brake light bulbs. Got up Saturday and it's been like it since...[/quote]

hang on - did I read that right - it was all fine until you fitted new brake light bulbs?

There's a clue there ......... [/quote]

Yeah? Enlighten me? First, I'll remove the brake light bulbs and see if that makes a difference. I'm not an electrician and I came here for help not to be told 'there's a clue there' so either please help or leave the conversation...

swap bulbs left and right one at a time to see which one is causing the problem. Dont forget the side bulbs. if no difference then there could be wiring problem

[quote="Vic_NG17"]Yeah? Enlighten me? First, I'll remove the brake light bulbs and see if that makes a difference. I'm not an electrician and I came here for help not to be told 'there's a clue there' so either please help or leave the conversation...[/quote]

Oh dear, I'm sorry you don't have a sense of humour ... (look for the smilies)

and

For the record I'm not an electrician either

[but I think brucey has already come to our rescue (thank you brucey).]

What I mean is: if you do something that makes an unexpected change then undo it and start again.

[quote="jinglebells"]Oh dear, I'm sorry you don't have a sense of humour ... (look for the smilies) [/quote]

Sorry man but I have a problem to fix on my car for my re-test. It's an old car that is quite expensive to maintain (this MOT is costing me £300+) so you can understand my urgency. I've got a great sense of humour but I need to get this fixed not joke about...

Couple of other items I can thhink of:

1) Possibly faulty flasher unit
2) I have seen low voltage (e.g. flat battery if it's just parked for a long while) cause the flashers to flash quickly. This can also be a loose or corroded battery terminal.

Hope this helps,

[b]Patrick[/b]

[quote="jinglebells"]hang on - did I read that right - it was all fine until you fitted new brake light bulbs?[/quote]

The car worked fine with the new brake bulbs for a day after installing them. On the second day, the indicator light at the back stopped working and the front one flashes twice as fast. I replaced the back indicator bulb with 4 different bulbs and it's still doing it. So, I doubt the new brake light bulbs are the problem. I suspect flasher unit myself...

[quote="pitrack_1"]1) Possibly faulty flasher unit
2) I have seen low voltage (e.g. flat battery if it's just parked for a long while) cause the flashers to flash quickly. This can also be a loose or corroded battery terminal.[/quote]

Battery/terminals are fine so I suspect maybe the flasher unit. Going to have a look today and will hopefully fix it without ordering a new flasher unit...

It was a really simple fix in the end! All I had to do was plug in the back light console :P

The plug for the back offside light console had come undone! Maybe I didn't re-connect it properly after I'd removed the electric aerial that no longer worked. I accidentally unplugged the lights too not knowing what was what and obviously had not re-connected the plug correctly.

All works fine now. Apologies if I upset anyone but this is my first MOT with this car and it's becoming expensive and that gets my pip

Ok vic, pleased you got it sorted in the end.
This really is a great forum with loads of Mazda expertise, and we're all willing to help each other save money!.
For me it's also a "hobby" or "pastime" because I don't work in the car sales or repair industry, but I've owned all 6 types of 323 from 1980 onwards, so I have a fair bit of experience to write about.

[quote="jinglebells"]Ok vic, pleased you got it sorted in the end.
This really is a great forum with loads of Mazda expertise, and we're all willing to help each other save money!.
For me it's also a "hobby" or "pastime" because I don't work in the car sales or repair industry, but I've owned all 6 types of 323 from 1980 onwards, so I have a fair bit of experience to write about.[/quote]

That's good to know!

I don't work in the auto business though I do all of my own work. I actually run a guitar repair business. This is my first ever Mazda and I bought it from a dealer cheap spur-of-the-moment as my Focus had just died. I'd spent too much on the Focus (even replacing the engine last year) and when it died I just gave up. I went on eBay and saw the 323 just up the road in Sheffield and bought it. I paid 300 which was over the odds I've been told. I only bought it to last til it's MOT then was going to scrap it and buy something else. I knew it needed work for the MOT but the engine is that good I have decided to keep it rather than scrap it. With the MOT plus a service and a cambelt change, I'm spending around £325 and will do all the work myself at my pals garage. I think £325 is not too expensive and my wife and I just love the car so will keep it for another year...

you'll probably keep it longer than a year, these cars are like no other that I've ever owned, they sort of become family if that makes any sense. Little quirks here and there but still lovable. They sort of have 90% of the German precision, 90%of Italian soul and 90%Japanese reliability, it only ever seems that 100% English rust kills these cars(minus the accident ones) I think thats because they get under your skin after only a few drives. I know mine have

[quote="brucey76"]you'll probably keep it longer than a year, these cars are like no other that I've ever owned, they sort of become family if that makes any sense. Little quirks here and there but still lovable. They sort of have 90% of the German precision, 90%of Italian soul and 90%Japanese reliability, it only ever seems that 100% English rust kills these cars(minus the accident ones) I think thats because they get under your skin after only a few drives. I know mine have[/quote]

Well, I'm not loving mine right now! With the MOT, service and cambelt kit, it's now cost me over £450. Then, last night whilst driving locally, I heard a snap on the back axle. I think the cooil spring has snapped on the new shock absorber I had fitted Wednesday...

I managed to drive the car home steadily and it seems stable enough but I have that to sort out now. By the time I'm done, I'd have spent nigh-on £500...