Mysterious indicator relay burn out

[soc7260]

Hi,

Bit of a strange one. Has anyone ever had an indicator relay burn out? As in it gets really hot, smell of burning and then goes kaputt? When opened up you can clearly see the little switchboard inside has been burned.

I had two go on me that way in the last 18 months, the latest replacedment seems to be holding up OK (5 months, no issues) but I don't understand what caused it to happen before.
I'm not particularly worried but I'm just hoping it does not indicate  wider problems. I confess electrics are not my strongpoint.

Cheers,

Simon

[Bob_Roller]

Only  things I can think of, is corrosion on the lamp contacts,or else where in the wiring harness at connectors including the ground connections, possible switch problem (not recommended to try to dis-assemble it !!), incorrect lamps installed in the turn directional housings, too high of a wattage .

[montmil]

I had a turn signal issue on my '81 R65 that was eventually traced to the OEM fuse box's corroded clips and the corroded tips on the euro-style ceramic fuses. Replaced all with rubber enclosed fuse holders (NAPA #784667) and mini-blade 7.5 amp automotive fuses.

If you have overly high wattage bulbs in the turn signal sockets, it might possibly cause a problem in the thermal-op relay.

[soc7260]

Thanks guys much appreciated, bulbs are standard, lamp contacts seem fine. Might moisture getting in there cause something like this?  I checked the fuses (though they look Ok I'd say they are very old). The pics are useful, wonder where I can get a similar fuse holder this side of the water? I did uprate the regulator at one point in order to boost the battery charging. I'm wondering if that might have anything to do with it, doubt it though as whenever the signal regulator went, it was on a short trip.


Cheers,

Simon

[montmil]

Simon, I used 400 grit ti clean the old fuse tips and the spring clip fuse contacts. Everything was so shiny and perfect... except the turn sigs still didn't work. The modern fuse holders cured all.

Try an auto parts supply store in your neighborhood. Maybe print out the image and show 'em what you want. They're likely made in China anyway.