Turn Signals

[hardflex]

On the electrical diagrams, i can't find the turn signal flasher... Is it the tall, black, square box separate around the fuse board?

Trying to get the signals working, last problem before inspection. the signal lamps burn (but don't flash) when the turn lever is put either direction with the key off, but i get nothing at all with the key on and pulling the levers. Does that sound like the flasher?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

On the 1973 diagram on our site, it's part #47.

It is the large plastic rectangular box on the top of the fuse panel.

The "parking light" feature uses almost completely different circuitry than the turn signals, so you have not necessarily narrowed it down to the flasher. But the flasher is one of the more complex parts in the circuit...

IIRC, you may need to modify any replacement flasher you get. You jumper one pin to another one, but I don't recall which offhand.

--DD

[hardflex]

it appears to me that the flasher gets 12v thru the Red wire, back out thru the black/white/green wire to send power to the turn signal lever, where it goes to either L or R when needed. I'll check those terminals for voltage/continuity

[hardflex]

i have voltages at the terminals which should work.

question.... if i take the blue/green/white wire term 49a and ground it directly, should it not make the flasher work, or will i just blow a fuse...;-(

[hardflex]

ok, i think it 's the turn signal switch, i can't get continuity across the terminals on the back of the switch, tho i can across the grey wires, which are the parking circuit. i'll look for another switch.

[hardflex]

hmmm, switches no longer available from Pelican. Anyone tried to repair these things?

[Tobra]

The relay for a 1969-70 VW works perfectly and is like half as much as the "porsche" one

[hardflex]

Ok, here's my 3 step approach to diagnosing Turn Signals, for anyone who searches in the future.

1. turn on Hazard flasher. It should flash all 4 turn signal bulbs, and it pulls current from a different fuse (#11). It will work with the ignition off, so you don't have to worry about blowing out your electronic ignition by leaving the key on. If they don't flash, it's probably the flasher relay. If the flasher goes into convulsions, there's a light wired improperly and shorting thru the flasher.

2. Key off, turn signal switch left and right, each side should light but not flash. this verifies current thru the #8 fuse and lights are working. It's a different circuit than the turn signals, kinda working parallel to it thru the turn switch.

3. If you get flashing in #1, lighting in #2, turn signal switch is probably bad.

But I don't know the nature of the flasher failure since mine was OK. Do they still transmit current, but no flashing, or do they not transmit the current so you get nothing? Anybody comment on that?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The one failure I've had of the flasher relay (so far!) was quite odd. I'm trying to remember exactly--I think the exterior lights would blink OK, but the indicator on the dash just blinked once? Or perhaps the other way around? Anyway, it struck me as very odd. It was quite a few years ago now, so the details are nearly gone from my head.

--DD

[hardflex]

Dave,

I took a switch from my 76 and made them work. When you turn on the left blinker, left indicator in Speedo blinks properly. When you turn on the right, it blinks one time, then both blink. Does that sound like what your's did?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Nope, because I have a 74 that only has the one indicator light. That one light would blink once and stop, IIRC. Like I said, the details are pretty hazy now.

--DD

[Matt Meyer]

Dave,

My 75 is doing that now. First blink only on the inidicator light. I can see the front signals working fine.

Wierd. OK a new flasher it is then. Easiest electrical troubleshooting so far.

Sorry for the hijack.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You might be able to open up the flasher relay and clean up the contacts inside. A little contact cleaner, a little emery cloth, and who knows?

IIRC, you have to jumper one wire to make the flasher relays that are now available work correctly in our cars.

--DD

[sean_V8_914]

I have a few points to contribute and a highjack at the end

1 I have fixed flasher relays that were stuck. it is easy to pop it open to clean the pivot and the contacts to free it up to open and close

2 the fuse holders develope a layer of non conductive shmeg that it hard to see. I have cured some of the sympoms ya'll are describing simply by cleaning the fuse holders and teh tip of the fuse.

3 I have one of teh new style relays in my 73 car. i am leaving town tomorrow but as soon as I get back I can pull it out to see where teh jumper goes. I do remember that it is a positive voltage wire


here comes the highjack:
my turn signals and brake lights have stopped working. what do they share in common that could be bad?