My Mk1 Cooper S came to me after a 40 year break and in that time the indicators have given up.

I am not great at diagnosing electrical faults, but I can follow instructions, so I am asking for some idiot proof paths of diagnosis.

I decided to buy a new flahser unit because I was ordering some other items and it was cheap enough that I considered it worthwhile to aid in the diagnosis. With the old flasher can there was no life anywhere. With the new flasher can installed, the light on the end of the stalk flashes irregardless of the indicator stalks position, however there is still no action to any of the actual indicators.

What should I be testing/trying?

I had a problem with mine on my 850 where one of the top steering column cowl screws was too long and pierced one of the wires on the indicator switch.

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Sounds like the wrong flasher can. Have a look on both and see if connections are in same place. Most have somethinv like an X , L & P.

The letters on the new flasher can correspond with the old flasher can. It did have a note with it about switching two wires for a positive earth car (which mine is), I tried this and instead of the light on the stalk being constantly on, it constantly flashes, but still no action at the actual lights.

best way to fault-find is to follow the wiring diagram in SP#64 - take your time, look at the colours, make sure everything is connected properly...

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You stated that your car is Positive Earth. If so, electronic flasher cans wont work. You need an electro- mechanical flasher can.Check out the Triton link here:
http://www.tridon.com.au/products/Trido ... mechanical

I found this out on a Triumph TR3 positive earth car, also a positive earth Austin Healey.

http://www.classicmotoring.net.au/cmos/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_145&products_id=372

This is the one I got, I had assumed that it would be a replacement for the original 3 pin flasher can in the car?

Is it just the indicators that don't work.. Check the inline fuse under the schuttle and fuse box are thev Bulbs ok. Start with the basics.

https://minikingdomonline.com.au/produc ... -pin-type/

This is the correct one for positive earth

The indicator stalk connector block can cause issues. Loose connections. Corroded or Bad contacts. Wires plugged into the wrong spots or not pushed all the way in.