Indicator and brake light issues (for the Darksiders)

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

Hi guys.

I have a drama that isn't Cobra related, however with all you Darksiders out there I'm hoping one of you gents might just have the answer.

I'm currently driving the boss's VZ - S Ute whilst he's overseas, and am experiencing some issues with the indicators and brake lights.

Yesterday afternoon I'd noticed that the indicators both externally and upon the dash do not work at all. In fact the left and right turn signals don't actually have any typical clicking sounds (no noise at all) coming from the flasher "relay-can" built within what appears to be a Body Control Module.

When I select the hazards, the hazard "relay-can" is audibly clicking on/off as normal, however none of the indicators operate either.

The indicators still don't flash when I lock/unlock the vehicle via the key fob, however what may be the hazard "relay-can" still makes an audible noise as expected.

The brake lights are also not functioning at all.

I've metered all fuses located within the harness in the engine bay, with them appearing to be ok.

Can the problems I'm experiencing be related to the Body Control Module? I'm hoping to find a solution asap to reduce the risk of driving without indicators and brake lights.

Thanks in advance.

Steve.

[Aussie Mike]

I don't know about the BCM being the problem. In most of your modern cars they have sperate flasher cans for the Hazzards and indicators. Perhaps the indicator can has gone?

Dark Side Cobras have issues with their lighting all the time. When you are traveling at the speed of light and you switch them on, nothing happens.

Cheers

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

G'day Mike thanks for the quick response.

When I poked my head under the dash to check out the hazard and flasher cans, all I could see was a Body Control Module. It was from within this box that the sound of the hazard relay-can could be heard. I get the impression that the relay-cans are integrated within the BCM itself.

The other issue is the brake lights that I suspect is related to the indicator problems.

I'm just worried that I'll have my arm torn off by on coming traffic when resorting to using good old fashioned hand signals. Besides, with the driving standards of most around us, they wouldn't even know what I was doing!

Cheers.

Steve.

[boxhead]

I have been away from Holden for too long, but I know that some manufactureres dont use flasher cans any more, and the blinking noise is emitted by a small speaker under the dash that is triggered by the BCM

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

Hi Boxhead.

It does seem that there may be some kind of really packaged within the BCM?

I had my hand on it whilst the hazard button was pressed in, with the typical sound and feel of a relay clicking. It didn't quite feel like a speaker reproducing the clicking sound. I could be wrong though.

I did post this on a commodore forum BTW, and have had less responses from them, so thanks once again for taking the time to reply guys.

Cheers.

Steve.

[Plums]

I notice you mentioned the engine bay fuse block, but have you checked the fuse block under the dash? Most of the "body related" relays are there...

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

G'day Plums.

No I didn't realise there was a second fuse box. Maybe because it didn't jump out at me.

Is it near the BCM?

Steve.

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

P.S. your G-Force is amazing!

Best of luck with the sale!

[Plums]

It will be lower down than the BCM. You have pulled down the shroud under the steering column I presume??

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

Yeah I've removed the cover and can see the BCM hanging behind the dash.

I guess I've just got to have another look to see the secondary fuse/relay location.

[Rob. Smith]

just a guess...remove and replace all the fuses related.. all that moisture up there; there may be some 'corrosion' and resistance build up. just a suggestion.

[sideshow]

moisture in a late model car is very very rare
they are not open roofed like a cobra
only way we find moisture in new cars is if they go for a drink in king qeorges river

anyway back to the problem

ive replaced about 5 bcms in late model commodores because the blinkers stick
now u might have similar prob but in reverse

bcms play up often
i have about 5 spare with minor probs and only use them on conversions where blinker circuit is not being used

anyway i can fix yr prob otherwise take it to yr holden dealer

if it is the bcm then u need 2 new remotes and need to get new bcm coded to the engine ecu and the new remotes coded to the bcm

prob bout 300 to 400 bucks all up

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

Thanks for the info Sideshow.

I'll let my boss know when he gets back from O/S.

I've since discovered that the brake lights do in fact work alright, it's just the indicators that are giving me headaches.

Steve.

[sideshow]

just looked in my workshop manual
vz has a flasher can under the dash
its either that or no power to it

[STEPHEN BROHOLM]

G'day sideshow.

Thanks for the info.

I did search under the dash again this afternoon and still couldn't see any flasher/indicator relay-cans.

I pushed the hazard button in again, getting it to produce the typical clicking on/off sounds. I didn't take out the Body Control Module, however I did manage to undo some of the clips keeping the two halves of the BCM case together. I poked my finger inside the BCM and without doubt felt a relay clicking on/off. Could the hazard relay-can be integrated on a PCB within the Body Control Module?

It still appears that the whole assembly needs replacing?

Or could a faulty indicator stalk be causing these issues?

[Plums]

The hazard lights work even when the indicator stork is disconnected.