electrical problems - indicator and brakes

I have a problem with my M Reg VW Golf TDi.
The problem started like this; when I indicate either left of right or press the brake, the orange ?fog light? indicator on the lighting switch control panel illuminates (the lights and fog lights are switched off). The orange light flashes in sympathy with the indicators and when the break is pressed. This wasn?t too bad, or so I thought.

The problem has now got worse, Mad

sometimes when breaking and indicating, the Left or Right arrows by the speedo stop flashing (the indicator relay also stops functioning). I was followed by someone recently and they said that my rear lights were not behaving as expected.

The fog light indicator illuminates when ever I indicate or break, but the inability to indicate is only intermittent (I avoid stating the obvious that indicators operate inadvertently anyway). Rolling Eyes

The car is equipped to power the lights fitted to a trailer. I originally that this was the cause of the problem, maybe some water (and it has been raining quite a bit here lately) has got into the external electrical connector. But, having disconnected the towing electrics, the fault is still apparent.

I think that I may have a poor earth somewhere.

Has anyone had a similar fault? Apologies if this problem has been posted before, I am new here. Any help will be useful. I don't want to tear the panels off if this is a simple fix.

Cheers

im having the same issue with my 1993 turbo diesel golf. have u found a solution?

_________________
______________________________________________________________
the best drink's the best drink's you've ever had

Hi,

Did anyone find a solution to this poblem yet. My VW Golf 3 1.8 Variant is doing exacly the same thing and I dont have a clue where to look anymore....
I replaced the relay, disconected the towing wireing, cecked the earth straps infront at the battery and in the rear at the tail lights. I also checked the fuses.

Only thing I did not check yet is earth in the dash or the multi switch for the indicator. but, that does not explain the reaction when stepping on the breaks.

Any help would be apreciated.

Tx
Bert

Since no one knows the answer to this or just don’t respond to noobs asking questions Wink

, I thought I share the solution. After allot of hunting and swearing I solved the issue as follows:
This problem is obviously earth, but where do you look. Well
Since the problem is so specific, there are only a few earth straps that could cause the problem but let’s start at the obvious.
Check the earth strap on the battery to the body.
Check the earth on both Headlight looms.
Check earth on the engine (under starter motor and on the block under the first spark plug.
Check the earth for the rear light wiring situated under the Coolant reservoir.
Now, move to the fuse box under the steering and check the earth connector in the fuse box.
Finally, check the earth on the tail lights. Do this by removing the lamp unit and trace the earth wire to where it is connected to the body (on both sides).
If you have a tow bar make sure you disconnect the wiring and check if this solves the solution.
I find the problem by disconnecting all wiring to my rear lights including the tow bar lights. Once I discovered the problem was cured I connected each wire one by one again until I discovered that it was the tow bar earth.
Problem solved…

And by the way… just joking about the responses. Thx for allowing me to post here.

Hey Bertoos, I really appreciate your taking the time to post a reply, I've installed a hitch on my '99 TDI, and was looking on the web specifically to find peoples' experience with wiring up the electrical, so thank you for your post, I'll be sure to check the grounds!

Great work on you car nice job.

_________________
http://www.vortexautomotive.com