Random Turn Signal Fault!

[Bill Jennings]

Hi All,
Past couple of weeks have noticed an intermittent fault with turn signal marker lights on the speedo.
Occasionally both flash dimly when indicating left or right but signal normally the rest of the drive. Ie. bright left or right only.
When both flash dimly turn signal operation is normal on the actual lights outside.
My first thought is a bad ground to the speedo?

Cheers
Bill

[tirwin]

Bill,

Does the speedo seem to be operating ok? It could be the turn signal relay going bad. Mine went out slowly. When I put the left of right signal on it would start blinking at a normal rate and then after a few seconds it would start to get erratic. The rate would vary, it would just stop for a while and then suddenly start again. Replacing the turn signal relay cured it. On my '83 the relay is located behind the fuel and oil temp/pressure gauges. You can reach it from the front trunk area. Might be slightly different for a right hand drive car.

[Bill Jennings]

Tim,
The turn signals operate normally it's just the dash lights in the speedo that occaisionally flash together at half brightness or less they are pretty faint. The rest of the time each dash indicattor flashes normally..
I will pull the speedo to see what it looks like back there.
Cheers
Bill

[brian-80SC]

I have the same problem. Haven't fully solved it yet, but I would guess it's your relay. here's my story from my notes:

At first, the blinkers worked very slowly when cold. after car warms up, blinkers do not flash and the lights simply remain illuminated. all lights work properly, however.

I decided to start with my fuses. I noticed that several fuses were not seated properly, and possibly this could have caused reduced contact. This did not solve or affect the problem however.

Next I checked the flasher relay as it might be failing.
I found these replacement parts: (I went with the cheaper since it was unclear if the relay was at fault). (installed part is Helle)
914-618-303-11-M504: "Wittrin" brand relay $12
914-618-303-11-M44: "Helle" brand relay $51

get access to relay: Bentley Manual page 971-8 indicates that for 1978-1983 model years, the "Turn Signal Flasher" is located "in luggage compartment left rear, in front of power window relay". Also see image 971-12 (which shows the correct location, but is not exactly right for my car). Relay is located behind the fuel (leftmost) gauge.

To remove the gauge, I used a golf club handle from inside the trunk to gently push out the gauge, pressing a little on each side to work them out, and being careful to avoid wire connections.

Then from inside the cockpit, reach in through fuel gauge opening and feel each relay while the blinkers are operating to determine which is the blinker relay. the rear relay (OEM Helle) looks right and can feel blinking, but I can't see wire connections to know for sure. loosen relay to examine wire connections.

relay is mounted into a wire connector that has a rubber mount attached to a hole in the frame. the relay was VERY difficult to remove from the connector. I had to remove the connector from the frame to get enough room to work the relay back and forth, holding the relay in one hand and the connector in the other. Space is very tight!
upon relay removal, its role in blinker function is confirmed by observing that the hazard button no longer activates the lights/flashers.

insert new relay (note, my replacement was a different size from the replacement part), and a LOT of force was required! after insertion, blinkers turn on but do not blink, they just remain illuminated. Could the relay be the wrong part?

re-install old relay. I had to really work it back and forth to seat it in the connector due to the tightness of the tab receptacles in the the connector. But upon reinstallation, the blinkers appear to be functioning normally again!

apparently, working the old relay in and out re-established the loose connection that had caused it to stop functioning. Will wait and see if the fix is permanent of temporary.

Update: after 12 months, I'm having problems again. Now both dash indicators flash together, dimmer than usual. However the exterior lights work as required. For the time being, I've just lived with the problem. I'd like a fix, however! I've been tempted to try the other relay part and see if it works better.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

Cheers
Brian

[jakz]

Im in the exact same situation, already took the relay out and reinstalled but that didnt fix anything, also my hazard switch light stopped working although on the outsideeverything works fine i think, i had a dimmer turn light but cleaning the grounds took care of that but made no difference in the gauge lights

I hope we find a solution soon! Ill keep trying things and keep you posted

[targa80]

I just recently posted the following on my troubleshooting a fault I had with the tach indicator lights and the flasher assembly. It might give you some insight into your problem.

Flasher/Hazard Mods on my 80SC

[Bill Jennings]

Pat,

Many thanks for the link to your thread.
I have a wiring diagram for a US 77 2.7 that I will compare with your diagram.
My car is a ROW 77 3.0 will look to see if either are similar to what is in my car.

Thanks to all that have replied certainly this issue is not unique!

Cheers
Bill

[Bill Jennings]

Had a few minutes to physically have a look behind the speedo disconnected the flasher and reconnected it all looks ok with no change to issue.

Will look at drawing I have.

Cheers

Bill