Help required with electrical problem solving

[Mad Hatter]

I’ve just fitted a set of Katdash instrument lights to my R60/6. They work fine except that the indicator light is glimmering all the time at 50% intensity. The indicator light behaves as it should and flashes at 100% intensity when the indicators are turned on. I know that the Katdash instrument LEDs are a lot more sensitive to stray volts than the original incandescent bulbs so I’m assuming I’ve got a partial short somewhere. Electrics are not my strong point so could someone with a bit more expertise in this area tell me if my hypothesis is correct and give me some advice on how to start looking for the short in a logical way (instead of just pulling everything apart). The old incandescent unit worked ok but was very very dim and the circuit board was bodged together with glue and sealant.

 

[mikeyboy]

It’ll be the indicator relay inside the headlamp,
If it’s the 4 pin one,
Remove the relay and pop off the outer housing,gently clean the contacts with some fine emery and give a clean with some contact cleaning spray,
They normally perk up after that and regular use.

 

[Mad Hatter]

That sounds like an easy fix, I’ll give it a try, thanks Mikeyboy

 

[Mad Hatter]

Is it the silver one on the right Mike? Looks like it’s been there from 1976!

 

[Kenny]

That sounds like an easy fix, I’ll give it a try, thanks Mikeyboy

BOOM !!!

 

[Mad Hatter]

You must know me

 

[Mad Hatter]

What’s the thing on the left with the white zip tie?

 

[Bubb]

BOOM !!!

Maybe less “boom” , and more fzzzzt, as the smoke escapes.
Hard to get a new bottle of smoke for the /5 these days!

 

[Gelandestrasse]

The indicator relay is the big black one on the left with the cable tie. Be gentle with it as they are very expensive to replace.

Looks like you have a green wire missing on your ignition switch (the bare spade).

 

[bmstan]

Is it the silver one on the right Mike? Looks like it’s been there from 1976!View attachment 403752

The Katdash is extremely sensitive, I have had a brand new relay feed back. I fixed it using the following, diagram curtesy of Rob Frankham, it cost pennies and 100% cured the feed back.

 

[mikeyboy]

What’s the thing on the left with the white zip tie?

The flasher relay

 

[Mad Hatter]

The Katdash is extremely sensitive, I have had a brand new relay feed back. I fixed it using the following, diagram curtesy of Rob Frankham, it cost pennies and 100% cured the feed back.

That’s really helpful. I’ll take a look at the relay first and if that doesn’t sort it I’ll give it a go with the diodes.

 

[Deleted account 250722001]

or the diode is dying- Had mine replaced in the X dash and they are now bright green - Only wish they would blink when asked to
Dash since replaced

 

[Mad Hatter]

I love this forum and the knowledge that people on here are willing to share.

I removed the flasher relay and carefully prised the cover off. The insides were covered in grey dust. I gave everything a really thorough blasting in contact cleaner spray then re-assembled. Abracadabra it worked! The always on glimmering indicator light has disappeared and everything is working exactly as it should.

Massive thanks to everyone especially Mikeyboy (again!). Out for a ride on it this afternoon once I’ve topped up the gearbox oil