Could someone suggest why the indicators on my 2001 WRX occasionally stop working work and buzz instead of tick, however the hazard warnings continue to work?

The AA recomended I replace the relay, but it didn't help and wasted £80

 

It usually is a sticky relay.

Try replacing bulbs, assuming they ARE still bulbs?

 

The bulbs are fine, as they still work via the hazzard warning switch and the buzzing stops.

If it helps, the buzz appears to be coming from vicinity of the steering column

 

Does it have a towbar? Or has it ever had one fitted?

 

It has never had a tow bar.

Could it be dirty indicator stalk assembly contacts or flasher unit?

 

I thought you REPLACED the flasher relay?

And WHY did it cost £80? They are £15 max

 

Coming from an electroncs background, I assumed the relay is only responsible for switching the current between the left or right indicators, I didn't know it was also responsible for causing them to flash.

I was told by AA and a local car bar that the relay could only be supplied by a Subaru dealer, who charged £80 including VAT, which is why I'm loathed to go back to them.

 

Jeez, they saw you coming.

Mine has a towing relay on it, I paid £8 for it ten years back. Replaced it myself.

The falsher relay does the FLASH only, the current is directed left/right by the stalk.

Editted to ask: what are the indicators doing when it's buzzing?

It COULD be the stalk or it's connection arcing......

 

Indicators don't work when buzzing, but hazzard warning switch stops buzz and indicators start working.

Some days indicators work fine, other days I get phases where they refuse to work.

I'll take stalk off and try to clean the connectors on the stalk.

 

The buzzing makes me think of arcing, or switch contacts vibrating instead of closing.

Could be stalk, could be a connector.

 

Personally would try the flasher relay first.........

Maybe of use.....

Turn signal

 

He's changed it........

 

But has he changed the right one??

Turn & hazard unit, 86111TC001





Item 9................................................. ...

 

That looks like the part I replaced

 

At least you can check out the wiring now

 

The saga continues.

The problem went away for a while, but returned a few days ago and is no longer sporadic; now the indicators never work via the stalk, only via the hazard warning switch.

I've now replaced both the indicator relay and the indicator stalk, but neither helped.

If nobody can suggest an alternative, it looks like I'm at the mercy of the Subaru main dealer and their atronomical charges