Problem with lights

[Norfolkboy]

Need an electrical genius.  Car is a 2003 2.0 hdi.  Been stood for a while but started regularly.  Tested it yesterday prior to getting it back on the road and the following is happening.  Indicators work, select side lights and they come on but indicators stop after a second or so.  Headlights do not come on when selected but flash works.  Foglights also inoperable.  It was all ok upto layup.  Currently running a heater in the car in case damp is a problem.   Any ideas?

[Tomcat3]

Is the battery discharged or faulty if so fully charge or replace, they dont like low voltage.

[Norfolkboy]

Is the battery discharged or faulty if so fully charge or replace, they dont like low voltage.

Hi, thanks for the response.  Battery is fine, almost new, the biggest that I could fit and fully charged.    Starts and runs just fine.  Since all the faults are operated by the column switch, I'm thinking a connector problem, time to get out the electrolube and start fiddling.

[saskak]

It could be the COM2000 unit playing up, but difficult to say.
They are known to develop defective switches/connections or simply get worn, of course it depends on what model of COM2000 unit you have. There is an earth connection for the horn behind the airbag that could have corroded and gives an intermittent connection, but you should also get horn issues. The DAV ones are rediculously prone to all of these. The newer ones, i.e. Delphi are better, but you can still get these. I had a PUG 307 with random headlights switching on and it was the stalk within the COM2000 unit. A new unit sorted this completely.

[Norfolkboy]

It could be the COM2000 unit playing up, but difficult to say.
They are known to develop defective switches/connections or simply get worn, of course it depends on what model of COM2000 unit you have. There is an earth connection for the horn behind the airbag that could have corroded and gives an intermittent connection, but you should also get horn issues. The DAV ones are rediculously prone to all of these. The newer ones, i.e. Delphi are better, but you can still get these. I had a PUG 307 with random headlights switching on and it was the stalk within the COM2000 unit. A new unit sorted this completely.

Thanks for that, I have had horn issues in the past, never use it between one MOT and the next.  Currently, the horn is working but something to investigate.  What is the COM2000 unit?  Is it integral with the column switch or do I need to look further?

[saskak]

It could be the COM2000 unit playing up, but difficult to say.
They are known to develop defective switches/connections or simply get worn, of course it depends on what model of COM2000 unit you have. There is an earth connection for the horn behind the airbag that could have corroded and gives an intermittent connection, but you should also get horn issues. The DAV ones are rediculously prone to all of these. The newer ones, i.e. Delphi are better, but you can still get these. I had a PUG 307 with random headlights switching on and it was the stalk within the COM2000 unit. A new unit sorted this completely.

Thanks for that, I have had horn issues in the past, never use it between one MOT and the next.  Currently, the horn is working but something to investigate.  What is the COM2000 unit?  Is it integral with the column switch or do I need to look further?

It is basically all the switches behind the steering wheel. It is one big unit that slides onto the steering column. All the steering column stuff (cruise control, radio control, lights, indicators, etc.) comes from that unit.
It may be worth checking, but in general it is more lights and indicators random on/off symptoms and yours are a bit different.

[oilyrag]

Might be worth looking at any earthing points as a lay-up can 'aid' corrosion.  
Good luck!

[Norfolkboy]

It could be the COM2000 unit playing up, but difficult to say.
They are known to develop defective switches/connections or simply get worn, of course it depends on what model of COM2000 unit you have. There is an earth connection for the horn behind the airbag that could have corroded and gives an intermittent connection, but you should also get horn issues. The DAV ones are rediculously prone to all of these. The newer ones, i.e. Delphi are better, but you can still get these. I had a PUG 307 with random headlights switching on and it was the stalk within the COM2000 unit. A new unit sorted this completely.

Thanks for that, I have had horn issues in the past, never use it between one MOT and the next.  Currently, the horn is working but something to investigate.  What is the COM2000 unit?  Is it integral with the column switch or do I need to look further?

It is basically all the switches behind the steering wheel. It is one big unit that slides onto the steering column. All the steering column stuff (cruise control, radio control, lights, indicators, etc.) comes from that unit.
It may be worth checking, but in general it is more lights and indicators random on/off symptoms and yours are a bit different.

Thanks for that, I'll go down the strip, clean and reassemble route first.  Still love the car but getting to dislike the electrics.

[saskak]

Yeah, that is a good start, but I would be very careful with the airbag. After disconnecting it, I waited ~1h for any residual electrcity to dissipate and had it on the floor facing upwards. In case it is randomly triggered and to open up safely upwards rather than jumping in some random direction. I also tried to touch metal before handling in case there was any static electricity. Maybe I was way too cautious, but beter be safe than sorry.
Depending on the model I would not disassemble the clock spring, as it is quite a bit of faff to put back together. There are a few good videos for how to get to the com2000 unit on youtube.

[ffrenchie]

Are any of the switch stalks loose or wobbly ? The little contacts at the bottom of the stalks cause problems.