Hazard Light Relay

gangitano85 said:
So, part arrived today. Still same issue, so I checked the fuses again. Turn out fuse 34 (10A) was blown as well. Easy fix, I tought... Not quite, indicators were very dim, left side irregular and all of a sudden smoke coming out of the relay. Not sure what to do now. Fuse 34 was melted as well. Any thoughts? Am I using inferior fuses?
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Can you think back to before you had a problem, and then what first happened, that was not normal?
Mac.
 
I think you need help from someone with electrical knowledge, a multimeter, and a circuit diagram.
Something is drawing a lot of current, and the relay may not be the only part that's over heating.
No more relays until the short circuit is found and fixed.
Mac
 
I would start by examining all indicator bulbs and the respective bulb holders/wiring

Also has the car got a/c? If so is it working? Known pressure switch faults to cause crazy behaviour as a general rule
 
The A/C is working but needs regassing as it isn't ice cold. The issue happened after not having driven the car for about three weeks as we were on holiday. It was over at my in-laws and they told me that one day the alarm was triggered. This was also stored as an error code (or multiples codes, I should say) but I didn't think too much of it. Also, the left side indicator came loose, but I put it back, again not thinking too much of it.
 
So, again a little update: I called my mechanic and asked him if I could bring in the car, explaining the issue. He asked me to check the engine bay for any signs of martens or mice that might have been active. And, indeed, the tip insulation layer had clear signs of animal activity. Upon further inspection, the lift side indicator (the one in the side panel) came straight out of the little hole with the wiring having been bitten through in two separate locations. This would indeed explain why there wasn't an issue using the right indicators, but that things went wrong when I used the hazard lights and the left indicators. I hope they can fix it, and I will install a marten repellent. Not sure whether it will prevent it, but I sure won't make it worse.

Also, I hope that whoever bit through the wiring didn't leave me any other surprises. I did a VCDS check on the colour MFA, and no other errors appeared. I have used the headlights, the wipers, the water nozzles and the inside electricals (radio, a/c, etc.) My only fear is that they did something to the alarm as well, as my in-laws told me that the alarm when off when the car was parked there for seemingly no good reason. Maybe the culprits might have triggered that as well :(
 
I finally have my car back, with working indicators 😉 I feel like it's my birthday, being able to drive the little A2 again as if it is the first time 🎂

It turned out to be a short circuit, caused by rodents who thought my car would be a good nest. Apparently, the first marten that gets into the car isn't the problem, it's just looking for a nest. The second one to arrive, however, sensing that another one has been there before, will decide to destroy its rivals nest by chewing everything.
 
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