"Flashing" question

[mhackney]

I've noticed that drivers of other 911s heading toward me on the road flash their lights in recognition of a fellow enthusiast. My 1983 911SC does not let me flash the lights with the bright/dim headlight switch on the steering stalk so I have to do the wave. My question is, when did this feature first appear in 911s. Might be useful to help "date" a passing car as all I saw this morning (near Fairport, NY) was a black coupe with a bit of a tail. I know it wasn't an early 911 but wondered if it was a fellow SC driver. The light flash might place it later. Just curious!

[Hoss911sc]

I think your's should be able to flash by pulling stalk toward you. I had a '78 SC for 17 years and I could flash my lights. I suspect that stalk design was consistent at least through 1989.

[gamin]

Hoss is correct. Both my 70 and 88 flash by pulling the stalk rearwards against a spring. yours should too.

[javadog]

As mentioned, they all are supposed to do that. Porsche didn't put relays on their headlight circuits so all of the current for the light flows through the switch. They tend to fail, as a result. Remove it and look for the various threads on how to fix it. Or, replace it with a new one.

JR

[mhackney]

Ok, that's good to know. I had repaired the turn signal on this unit so it's likely the flash needed repair too. Just when I thought I was completely sorted! Gives me something to look forward to this weekend!

[McLaren-TAG]

Some guy in Massachusetts was driving an SC cab, when I passed him I flashed to say hello and didn't get a flash back. How rude.

[NYNick]

That function has been around since Moby Dick was a minnow. Even the 356's have it.

[mhackney]

Ha ha ha McLaren-TAG! good one.

I know my 356 had it, I don't recall if my 70S does, another thing to check when I get home. I need to make this right, I can't continue being rude!

[mhackney]

Well, turned out to be an easy fix. I removed the switch and scrutinized to see how it works. Pulling back to flash should close a pair of contacts (you can see them from the front of the switch through a little opening) but they were not closing completely. I carefully "repositioned" the contact (i.e. bent it with a small screwdriver) and now the flash works properly. No more rudeness on the road!

[86 911 Targa]

[mhackney]

Too funny!