Help! - I can't flash!

steve911 · steve911's Garage

The headlight kind.

Pulling the stalk toward me - nada. Brights work fine however when headlights are on and stalk pushed forward. If nothing else, I want to get this to work so I can flash my brights at other P-cars instead of only waving.

I took the switch out while I was installing my new 930S steering wheel (I'll post pix soon - I'm really pleased with the new look.)

Anyway, I looked at the switch and the contacts seemed fine and touch when the stalk is pulled forward. I admit in advance that I'm somewhat electrically challenged, but what else should I look for and do?

thanks

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Check your fuses first, but this is very common and you probably need a new stalk switch. I had the same problem. Stalk switch fixed it. R&R was a PITA, but my Filipina girlfriend with tiny hands was able to do most of it for me. A lot of juice flows through that tiny switch and the constant heating and cooling wears the contacts pretty thin. If yours is still original, I'd just replace it and not bother with the cleaning attempt.

Superman · 04-15-2002, 11:07 PM

I "fixed" mine twice before I installed relays so the switch does not have to carry all that current. No problems since.

steveW · steveW's Garage

I can't flash either, but only realised it when another P driver suggested I was rude. All fuses are okay, but sometimes I can't get brights either.

If anybody has fixed light switches, I'd like to know how it was done before I start pulling mine apart.

Cheers

83911sc · 04-16-2002, 04:15 AM

If you are going to replace the turn signal stalk (which sounds like your problem) it helps to unscrew the regular headlight switch from the dash so that you can rotate it and attach the lead from the stalk to the switch.

sammyg2 · 04-16-2002, 09:06 AM

This might be a different problem that you are describing, but here goes:

When I first bought my car the brights were on all the time unless I pulled the switch toward me and held it.

There is a small piece of metal in the switch that operates the contacts (about 10mm x 50mm) that was bent from years of use. It is really soft. I straightened it out slightly, and now it works fine.