Indicator switch..

[sst]

Tried to get the car inspected yesterday.. Everything works fine.. except the indictor switch, which is, by the way, brand new..

It works great 98% of the time.. the only time it doesn't work MOST of the time is when I'm standing still at a dead stop.. Well, unfortunately that's how they check your indicators - at a dead stop..

So, needless to say it didn't pass, even tho the indicators DO work..

Anyone have ANY idea why these things don't blink (they do light up at a stop, just not blink) at a dead stop, but do when you're driving? I know the steering wheel has a cutoff switch (which just flips the indicator off) for after you've made your turn an dmaybe its gettin gstuck in that position.. I dunno.. I'm at a loss.. Thanks..

Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!

[Workshop Help]

Perhaps if all the contacts along the current path were scraped clean of any oxidation, the full dose of electricity would be able to flow.

Given the age and/or environment these electrical systems function in, oxidation of the various connectors will occur. This diminishes the operation of the circuits to the extent that at idle or with the ignition switch on, the interrupted current cannot produce enough oomph to trigger the turn signal lights. Then, at speed, the increased amperage overcomes the oxidation and the lights then function.

That's my guess. Or, the turn signal switch itself may have an accumulation of grease on the contacts that affect the current. In any case, cleaning all the connections along the path will be a fun weekend project.

I'm think that for Sunday lunch fixing a platter of tuna fish salad sandwiches, baked beans, and apple pie. Then have pizza and salad for supper. Did I hear it right the Super Bowl is Sunday?

Mildred Hargis

[sst]

Yeah Sunday is Super Bowl sunday.. Definitely NOT working on the car on Sunday!

I get your point on cleaning the contacts etc.. but I don't understand why the indicator light DO come on, they just don't blink if I hit the switch at a dead stop..

Is that possibly something that replacing the flasher relay might fix, or something jacked up in the steering column, or would even dirty contacts keep enough juice from getting to the flasher relay to keep it from blinking? At a loss here..

Keep in mind the indictor switch IS new, and when turned on, power DOES get to all 4 indicator lights - they just don't flash if I hit the indicator switch at a dead stop - they DO flash if i hit it while moving.. too weird..

Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!

[Rblackadar]

I live 15 minutes from the Patriots Gilette Stadium.....so who do I root for....GO BENGALS!!!! well, next year maybe....

[sst]

Hey I'm a lifelong Rams fan, so I got nuthin to cheer about.. Maybe 2-3 years from now..!

Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Hey, SST!

Discussed last week!

http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6514

Will we see you in Tyler this year? I will have to have someone else take my car up there.

Have fun, drive fast & safe, be kewl,

jclay

[sst]

JClay.. Thanks and sorry I missed that last week.. Anyon eknow where to pick up one of those electronic relays Gary was talking about?

Probably won't make it to Tyler this year.. Most of the the time I'm busier that a cat covered in crap.. If you go, let me know ho wit turns out..

Thanks again JCay..

Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!

[FI Spyder]

I'm with Mildred on this. My flashers wouldn't work. I did see them faintly flick once. I had just replaced my indicator/headlight switch as the high/low beam part was broken. This turned it into winter project as it was fall and next step was to clean all contacts in the circuit. When I removed the main light switch (which the signal electricity goes through) it was filled with green grunge. I cleaned it all up (including all under dash connections.) It works fine now (and for the last year) with the flashing at right speed. If the full current can't get through the flasher due to high resistance anywhere all along the circuit it won't work right. Bare in mind this is a dessert car that has always been garaged and has seen very little rain or moisture. Imagine what can happen to those cars that have spent 25+ years of being inundated moisture from the North Atlantic, North and South Pacific Oceans. Stopped (engine idlying) it may not have enough juice whereas while driving the alternator may privide just enough if the circuit is marginal. The other thing is the flasher may be bad. They don't last forever. I used to have to replace them periodically in the olden days. Todays flashers are much more robust which is an argument for upgrading as suggested but if your connections are causing a problem it's only a matter of time before something else will raise it's ugly head.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[sst]

Thanks Spyder.. I forogt ot mention that I also replaced the main headlight switch about a year ago, so both indicator switch and headlight switch are new.. Also, this is a Texas car - never been driven in rain and always garaged..

Best bet sounds to be in replacing the flasher relay.. Anyone know where to get one of the ones mentioned in last week's discussion?

Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!

[Rich in Vancouver]

I picked up a Tridon electronic flasher at my local auto parts store.
It's a standard part that is common to many American made cars.

Rich

1975 TR7 ACL764U

[bmcecosse]

You say don't flash at dead stop - but try revving up the engine to cut in the alternator - then see if they work!