smoke coming out of turn indicator switch

[richard230sl]

Dear Members of the sl113 forum,

I am currently experiencing a problem with my turn indicator switch and I am wondering If anybody could give me some advise on this topic:

When switching the turn indicator switch up (right indicator activated) smoke is coming out of the switching unit.
Otherwise everything is working as it should (lights are blinking ok, left indicator position is ok)

I noticed that there is a spark glowing inside the switch unit when I do this so I presume that the current running trough the switch is to high resulting in a flame bow, which in turn is resulting in the smoke of course.

I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and how it can be fixed or Is there a way of placing a extra relay somewhere in the system so the current running through the switch is not that high?

Thank you for your help

Kind Regards

Richard

[mdsalemi]

Richard,

This is not good.

You do not want an extra relay in the circuit here; you need to find out what is causing this over-current situation.  Arcing, sparking and flame spread in the switch is trouble--and quite possibly disaster waiting to happen.

I'm a bit surprised you don't have a fuse popping with this.  I think you need to thoroughly investigate the right side lighting of your car (quite obviously) and look for shorts, and any compromising in the wiring and connections.  You'll need to remove backing plates in the trunk, and get into the right side "headlight door" too. If you are not good with or don't understand electrical troubleshooting, find a friend to help you who is.

Something is amiss here and until you track it down, I suggest using hand signals!  That kind of arcing you describe may have already compromised or damaged the integrity of the switch unit itself.

[Louis]

Make sure you have a ' fire extinguisher ' handy !!!   

[Paul & Dolly]

This is very concerning ! and I agree you need to investigate immediatly.

I suspect that you will find there is a problem  with the contacts in the switch.
These switches are prone to wear - especially if it is original from when the car was new, and bits can break off and stay inside.
There are numerous posts here on how to rebuild one, as the replacement cost is quite high.

Check that the correct amperage fuses are in their correct locations.

There could be a short in the wireing, but then the fuse should blow.

It may be worth removing the bulbs one by one and se if the problem stops.

Search here on the forum for "blinker" as well as "indicator" and "flasher" switch.

Good luck

Paul

[richard230sl]

Thanks for your posts.

Of course I am aware of the fact that I should not drive my car like this, and yes; a fire extinguisher is at hand

I had a look at it today and the copper stator on which the indicator switch seems to be wo worn/damaged causing the current to find its way trough the air until it reaches its final blinking position (then it works fine again)
If the current was a bit lower this wouldnt happen i can imagine?
Is there anyone who has ever installed an extra relay in this circuit to keep the current lower (now the same power of the blinking lights is flowing trough the switch right?)

Or is there a way to fix the damaged copper stator (damaged in the middle) on which the slider slides?

Thanks again

[mdsalemi]

Richard,

There probably is a way to repair this assembly, once out of the car and examined closely.  You might be able to repair or replace the copper with some "surgery."

However, I ask the question, is the damage to this switch your problem? Or, is high current somewhere else in the circuit the problem, and the damage to the switch the result of the problem?  I suggest this is something to check out prior to repairing or replacing the switch...

[Neil Thompson]

Richard I'd guess that bits have fallen apart in your indicator switch as happened to me. Tthere was some good info by enochbell which i followed up with some decent photos an this post  http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3821.msg115923#msg115923 the smoke could be the grease or whats left of it burning before it shorts out, I'd have a look here first if I was you, it took me ages of intermittent fuse blowing to find.

Neil

[mdsalemi]

One important thing to remember when cleaning, checking or trying to refurb the directional switch: be careful, be very very careful, of electrical contact cleaners.

I have a variety of them here and all but one will destroy plastic.  Of the ones that do destroy plastic they work at different speeds on different plastics.  I avoid them altogether now.

Note to manufacturers: most electrical contacts consist of a conductor (copper) and insulators/structure (plastic) integrated together!  Think about that when you formulate these products!