My Lazy Indicator mod

[gazza190]

hi everyone. done a little mod on my car. i drive a newish ford as a company vehicle and it has a very handy feature which i rather miss when i drive my zt. the indicators will flash 3 times with a quick press on the stalk which is very handy especially for motorway driving.

i recently have done a project to fit daytime lights on my car and thought as i had some of the bits already i would give this new task a go. it was very difficult especially as the indicator stalk talks digitally to the lighting module so only one wire is used to transmit both left and right signals. there were several wiring designs and a couple of prototypes but i got there in the end. everytime i thought i had worked it out there was another feature or problem i found. the main snags were

1 parking lights would not work once system deactivated
2 indicate left then right but left would carry on for the 3 flashes
3 battery would be discharged if indicator left on

im very happy with it and it works perfectly. i made quite a neat job of it in the end.

the mod works on both normal and message centre button type stalks. it also has a 3amp inline fuse to make it safe

It can be done to flash 3 or 4 times. Whatever is required

the cost is £33 plus first class p&p estimated at £5 on an exchange basis
a short video is posted at the bottom

This covers the cost of all the parts used, consumables, and a little for my time. I am happy to post overseas but postage cost will be variable. The old unit will then need to be returned for other peoples cars. I currently have 2 message type stalks to get things going so hopefully I should turn around 2-3 a week depending on post and returned parts.

if you are interested in buying a lazy indicator mod post your definite interest in the thread or pm me along with how many flashes you want 3 or 4. Also include weather your existing stalk is message button type. I will then put your name on the first post and work through them in order. paypal cheque or bank transfere can be accepted. payment will be needed once ready to post. i will contact you when ready for dispatch
Any questions please ask

Some pics and info on the procedure I carried out

i took the stalk apart to inspect






i then broke the pcb track to take away and modify the signals




and made sure there was no longer any continuity




i then soldered on my piggyback cables




and routed them through a new hole i made



I then went about making the box of tricks.







fitting guide


A brief guide on fitting the mod. Better pics and maybe a video to follow.

There is only 1 wire to connect and the rest just cable ties into place.

This is what the completed unit looks like, the box and wires just cable tie to the existing loom.





First remove the 2 philips screws securing the lower steering cowling





Then pull the cowling down. Make sure the key is not in.





You can leave the upper cowling in place. You will just need to lift it to gain access to the stalk securing screw.





Then remove the 2 philips securing screws for the stalk



The stalk will then simply pull out and unplug.

Then put in the new stalk with screws and run the loom along the original steering column loom using cable ties. The box is secured under the dash to the same loom . Bare in mind the wires need to move when the steering wheel is adjusted in and out





The 1 wire with fuse which comes out of the box will then need to be ran to get switched positive power. You can use the supplied scotch lock or solder yourself . Solderng is a much more permanent solution.

On estate models you can use the purple wire pin 3 on the wiper stalk.



On saloon models you can ether use the radio switched feed behind the radio or a wire on the air conditioning panel . My prefered choice would be the white with orange trace wire which is on the white connector block on the air con panel.

Just remove the 4 philips screws on the air con panel to access the wires at the back





a short video i made of it working



Rolling list

1 mischief 4 flashes message button ....... . Complete
2 wesley 4 flashes message button .......... . Complete
3 ratsalad 4 flashes message button ......... . Complete
4 dominic22 4 flashes message button ........ ready
5 aldor 4 flashes message button................... ready
6 valleygixer 4 flashes message button............ in progress
7 airedale 4 flashes message button............... Complete
8 jonvon999 4 flashes message button............. in progress
9 aussie long boat 4 flashes message button.....Complete

[J1MBO]

Very clever Gary, impressed .

I've embedded the video in the post .

[Mischief]

I do like this I would be interested seeing as your mod works with the trip computer also

Edit: I presume this will work on a MK1 too?

[Godfer]

Great work! Well done Sir!

[ratsalad]

I like this too, I'd be interested, subject to pricing of course

[gazza190]

Yes should work on all rover 75 and zt cars.

To fit the mod it would only require removing 4 screws and connecting 2 wires either by scotchlock or soldering. And the two wires required are available by the steering wheel so nothing else should need removal.

[Le Mans 190]

I'd be interested, subject to pricing of course

[pab]

Excellent stuff. Just a quick question. I notice in the images that the stalk is low line, would the same modification work on a stalk with message centre button?

Oh and keep up the good work..

[gazza190]

Originally Posted by pab

Excellent stuff. Just a quick question. I notice in the images that the stalk is low line, would the same modification work on a stalk with message centre button?

Oh and keep up the good work..

Hi. Yes works on stalks with message centre button. If you look in the video I made this morning it is a message type stalk. I swapped it last night as I managed to get hold of one. So it works on both types of stalk.

[pab]

Originally Posted by gazza190

Hi. Yes works on stalks with message centre button. If you look in the video I made this morning it is a message type stalk. I swapped it last night as I managed to get hold of one. So it works on both types of stalk.

Many thanks for the reply. Price dependant, I'm interested.