Okay, so all the indicator lights on the left side of the car stopped working, right side ok.
First sign of the problem was the ticking sound made by the flasher unit was faster than normal on the left.
Hazard lights worked on the right, not on the left...
These are the things I have done to unsuccessfully solve the problem
1. checked and replaced each of the 3 globes on the left first – no result
2. pulled the flasher unit out and visually inspected it (probably not much help)
3 checked to see there was power going to each of the lights on the left and right sides with a test light.
– I confirmed that there was power going to the lights on the right side, NO power to the left side.
Then I did something dumb ::)
While I was testing my testing procedure, I shorted one of the lights on the right side ::) ::)
NOW I HAVE NO INDICATORS OR HAZARD LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES :o
I have checked fuse No. 8 (indicators and hazards) and it is ok. Swapped in with another fuse just to make sure.
So here's the question... have I destroyed the half functioning flasher unit?
I would just go ahead and buy one to answer this question but they are rare and expensive (about $100).
Any advice for a guy with more ambition than talent in the realm of car electrics?
Cheers,
Alan
Knowledge can be furthered by getting a copy of eLearn for the GTV and examining the wiring schematics. You should be able to find one online tonight (a torrent) and have acess to the information shortly thereafter.
I'd ask this chap for help finding a copy: https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/deals_of_the_week2016 ;)
It maybe the relay, which if same as on the 156, is a bit awkward to get to, located below and behind steering wheel (big blue one from memory). You can remove it without taking off the wheel, but apparently you can't slot a new one in without first taking off the wheel.
I lost all indicators on my 156 a few months back - took off the ignition/steering column shroud, and gave the relay a jiggle-poke and it started working again.
But I reckon Bazzbazz will be able to give you better advice.
Alan, Craig gave me excellent instructions for changing the relay in this post:
www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=17388.msg99610#msg99610 (http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=17388.msg99610#msg99610)
Of course, I am assuming the GTV is similarly laid out to the 156.
916 GTV series are different to 156, hopefully this may help -
https://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gtv-andamp-916-spider/201531-turn-signal-indicator-relay-location.html (https://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gtv-andamp-916-spider/201531-turn-signal-indicator-relay-location.html)
Sitting on a tram on Chapel st as I write this haha.
Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated.
CB, yes I should get myself a manual, i'll revisit those online sites.
I really wish you could by a Haynes - so much easier!
Ordered the hard to get and expensive relay from a Melbourne company today.
Part is shared with a lot of BMWs.
The relay isn't to hard to get to if you take out the instrument binnacle.
No steering wheel removal necessary. I'll post pics.
I will post the outcome later in the week. Fingers crossed.
Cheers Al
Why would you want a chocolate teapot Haynes?
Surely you want accurate and useful information? :)
Problem solved, though not in the way that I expected...
Note, all this info is relevant to a Phase 2 GTV, the Phase 1 fuse box is different.
I sourced and replaced the relay.
Heads up on this, the GTV/Spider 916 shares the same part with a bunch of BMWs – E30, E36, E38 etc etc.
If you need the relay this info might help you find one (if an Alfa specialist can't help).
The location of this relay behind the dashboard is indicated in the attached pic by the yellow dotted line.
Access to the relay is via the fuse box opening (at your right knee) and opening created when you remove the gauge binnacle.
The gauge binnacle come out with the removal of 2 hex head screws (blue arrows).
The replacement of the relay however did not fix the problem :P
... so I re-checked all the fuses in the fuse box but did not find any dead ones.
Then I noticed a couple of inline fuses (see pic) that are not described in the owners manual.
I reckon they might have been added after the car left the factory, but i might never know.
Both fuses were blown. Now that they really had my attention I notices that they have little labels attached to the wires 'TURN'.
This you can see in one of the attached pics.
Last pic shows the 7 pin relay (in case anyone actually needs one!
If I had a workshop manual (as one of you guys suggested) I might have identified an inline fuse?
Anyway, the car is now back to its fully function glory and I have learnt a little more about my car ;D
Cheers,
Al
Possibly the vestiges of an alarm or immobiliser fitment.
So when you armed the alarm/mobiliser the indicator lights flashed. Makes sense.