How do I quicken the blinker relay?

[BenI]

I have a '70 914 and it has always blinked (turn signal, hazards) at a slow pace. Maybe 2 seconds to cylcle through an on/off state. Is there a way to change the resistance or something to make this rate increase, or is this indicating a problem with one of my relays? I think it would be safer if it blinked at a rate similar to modern cars, say double what I have now. Thanks!

[BURN-BROS]

Sounds like you have a heavy duty blinker that is made for vehicles with a trailer. Find out if the one you have is right for your application. You may be able to try other part #s to suit your taste.

[RandyLok]

Dirty contacts at the bulbs will affect the blinker speed... but usually makes it faster. I don't know if it could make it slower, but it sure wouldn't hurt to clean them anyway and make sure all the bulbs are good.

[Bob Zimmerman]

Originally posted by BenI
I have a '70 914 and it has always blinked (turn signal, hazards) at a slow pace. Maybe 2 seconds to cylcle through an on/off state. Is there a way to change the resistance or something to make this rate increase, or is this indicating a problem with one of my relays? I think it would be safer if it blinked at a rate similar to modern cars, say double what I have now. Thanks!

most likely, you got the wrong bulbs in there. i forget what the correct wattage is, but if you use "american" bulbs, they will either blink too fast or too slow, depending on the current they draw ...

[M. Hendrix]

I am with Randy, you bulbs are too clean.


M

[RandyLok]

Haha.

I think the consensus is though... The problem is more likely related to the bulbs (where the resistance is) than the relay.

[BenI]

Nope, new bulbs didn't make a difference. Just FYI, american bulbs from the FLAPS are identical to Osram bulbs from Pelican.

So maybe my circuits just have too much resistance/voltage drop? That sucks, I cleaned the contacts very well when I rebuilt the car so i guess there's nothing I can do short of replacing parts/wiring. Oh well, hope peopke see my sloooooow hazards next time I'm broken down on the side of the road!

[Headrage]

Why do you want to make them blink faster?

I like mine slow and steady.

If they blink fast, at least in L.A. the cops think there is a bulb out and will pull you over....

[patkeefe]

Take the relay apart and clean the contacts in the relay (I believe it's a mechanical relay) The magnet may be having a hard time pulling in the contact.

[RandyLok]

How do I quicken the blinker relay?

Lower the resistance in the circuit.

[Tobra]

Why not just replace the relay? They are less than $10 if you use the VW one, try look here
Relay thread

[in10s]

I'm a bit new to this, however it seems to be possible that the wiring is mixed up between the front signal light and the side marker. If I am wrong I stand corrected, but I don't think that the side marker is supposed to blink.....it only functions with the headlights. I've been working on a restore and noticed the same SLOW blinking when both the signal and side marker were hooked up to the indicator circuit....

[BenI]

You are correct...the side marker is wired to be ON when parking or headlights are on, and to not blink.

Thanks for all the tips. I tried cleaning the relay...no dice. Replaced the bulbs...no better. I think it just might be that my 37 year old wiring/light socket contacts have increased the resistance a bit. Oh well...

[Tobra]

I used a pencil eraser to clean the contacts, stuck it in there a spun it. Worked, sort of, so I took some fine steel wool to clean the contacts, helped make tail lights brighter, which is good

[in10s]

To clean contacts you can wire a dremmel that uses DC current directly to the battery. This also works great to remove small surface rust or any old paint that isn't where you want it to be.