Faulty or worn indicator switch and indicators not working

When the indicators do not work or work intermittently, the cause may be a worn or faulty indicator switch. It may also be a blown bulb, a poor contact in the bulb socket, a faulty flasher unit, a blown fuse, a missing 12 V supply or a loose connector. First check the safe items, namely the bulbs and their contacts. If these are in good order and the fault persists, have the vehicle diagnosed at a service centre. Replacing the switch may turn out to be necessary.

This advice is based on solutions to specific, anonymised cases handled by Amperi Service. Every case can be different – the steps described do not replace a professional service diagnosis.

Symptoms

The indicators do not come on when the switch is moved left or right.
An indicator works in one direction only, or only in a certain switch position.
The switch feels loose, moves unevenly, does not return to the centre position or does not hold its position.
The indicators flash irregularly or go out while riding, for example on an uneven road surface.
The indicators flash too fast, too slowly, or stay on continuously instead of flashing.

Possible causes

Mechanical or electrical wear of the indicator switch, meaning the contacts inside it.
A poor contact in the indicator bulb socket: oxidised, loose or dirty contacts.
A blown indicator bulb.
A faulty flasher unit (flasher relay) or a blown fuse in the indicator circuit.
No 12 V auxiliary supply (in electric scooters, for example a fault in the DC/DC converter or its fuse), a poor earth connection, or loose or damaged connectors and wiring.
Unsuitable LED bulbs (too little load on the circuit), which can cause hyper-flashing or no flashing at all.

What you can check

Switch off the vehicle, unplug the charger and secure the scooter against rolling before you start inspecting the lights.
Visually check that all indicator bulbs are intact and seated properly. Replace a blown bulb with one of the same specification (type, voltage, power).
Inspect the contacts in the bulb socket. If you see deposits, corrosion or looseness, this may be the cause. Such a contact should be cleaned or repaired with the vehicle's power switched off.
Note whether the fault affects one indicator, one side, or all indicators. If one indicator does not work, the bulb, its socket, the earth or the wire is usually at fault. If none work, the switch, flasher unit, fuse or 12 V supply may be at fault.
Test the hazard lights (if the vehicle has them). If the hazards work but the left and right indicators do not, the direction-control path is suspect, including the switch and its connector. This still does not prove that the switch is faulty. If neither the hazards nor the indicators work, a shared element is more likely: the flasher unit, a fuse or the supply.
Note how the switch behaves: whether it clicks distinctly, returns to the centre position and has no excessive play. If the indicators work only while you hold the switch, the switch is clearly suspect.
Do not open the battery or any high-voltage components, and do not dismantle the vehicle's electronics. Do not feed voltage from the main battery (e.g. 48/60 V) to the lamp circuits or short wires together, because you may damage LED lamps, the display or the controller.
If the bulbs and their contacts are in good order and the indicators still do not work, limit your riding and have the vehicle diagnosed at a service centre. The service centre will check the supply, fuses, flasher unit, earth, connectors and switch, and replace the faulty part if necessary. Riding without working indicators is dangerous and may breach road traffic regulations.

Follow safety rules when working with batteries and electrical equipment. Do not open batteries or high-voltage electronics. Unauthorised modifications to the equipment during the warranty period may void the warranty.

When to contact the service

A service visit is needed when the indicators still do not work or work unreliably after the bulbs and their contacts have been checked. It is also needed when the switch has noticeable play, does not return to the centre position or does not respond, or when you suspect a problem with the 12 V supply, a fuse or the flasher unit. The indicator switch is often replaced as a complete unit, but this depends on the model. If the problem occurred in a new vehicle, shortly after a previous repair or after fitting LED bulbs, mention this to the service centre.

FAQ

Why do the indicators not work even though the bulbs are fine?

The cause may be a worn or faulty indicator switch, a poor contact in the bulb socket, a faulty flasher unit, a blown fuse, a missing 12 V supply, a poor earth connection or a loose connector. It is worth checking these one by one, starting with the simplest.

How can I tell a switch problem from a bulb problem?

If one indicator does not work, the bulb, its socket, the earth or the wire is usually at fault. If the indicators do not work in either direction, the cause may be the switch, the flasher unit, a fuse or the supply. The switch is more likely if it is loose, does not click, does not hold its position or works only while held. Testing the hazard lights, if the vehicle has them, also helps.

Can I replace the indicator switch myself?

The switch is part of the vehicle's electrical system, so replacement is best left to a service centre. Never open the battery or any high-voltage components.

Can an indicator switch fail in a new vehicle?

Yes, component failures do happen in relatively new vehicles too. The service centre will assess whether it is a component defect or, for example, a supply problem, and choose the appropriate part.

Is it permitted to ride with non-working indicators?

It is not recommended. Indicators are essential for road safety, and not having them may breach regulations. Limit your riding until the repair is done.

Problem still there? Open a service request with Amperi Service – we will help.

Open a service request →

Updated: 2026-10-31 · Serwis Amperi · serwis@amperi.eu