New turning indicator switch installed, light on end no work

Post by **mrsnak** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:05 pm

Replaced the dying switch on my '61 with a new one from Bull Motif, with the light on the end. My old one didn't have one.

Both indicator switches have the same number & color of leads coming out of them, but after hooking it up, indicator lights themselves work great, but light on the end of the switch does not.

Could this some sort of grounding issue with how the switch is strapped to the steering column? What needs to happen to get the green light on the switch to work?

Post by **aupickup** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 4:33 pm

have you checked for a bulb in the end of the stick,and if so make sure sure it is screwed in properly

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:48 pm

aupickup wrote:have you checked for a bulb in the end of the stick,and if so make sure sure it is screwed in properly

I know I shouldn't laugh but I do like simple logic - well done Dennis

Mine did have a bulb in but was a bit of a dodgy connection, so a it of wiggling about sorted it out....

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:27 pm

The light has to be wired to the third contact on the flasher relay - is it ?

Post by **mrsnak** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:48 pm

bmcecosse wrote:The light has to be wired to the third contact on the flasher relay - is it ?

There are 8, which one is it? Which side, up or down.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:52 pm

It should be the light green wire which goes to P on the flasher unit....

Post by **mrsnak** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:19 pm

Thanks, I think we figured it out.
I had originally thought that the light on end blinked as the indicator blinked, but now see that it turns on and stays on when the interior light switch is pulled.

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:24 pm

Hmmmm, interesting

Post by **Pyoor_Kate** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:56 pm

Interesting yes, but not right!

I think you may have some debugging to do of the wiring in your minor :-/

Post by **PSL184** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:11 pm

Pyoor_Kate wrote:Interesting yes, but not right!

Really ???

Might be a nice feature to find your turn signals in the dark

Post by **mrsnak** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:58 pm

Probably need to debug. I already have light on the dash that flashes, and this was installed because the previous switch didn't have the light feature.
It is quite festive, though. ;-)

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:20 pm

Settle for the flashing dash light, at least the car is legal. The dash light wire should go to the P terminal so in theory if you replace it with the light green wire from the indicator then you should be sorted.
Can't understand the interior light bit as the indicators are on the ignition fuse and the int. light is on the constant fuse so they should be on completely different circuits. There could be a problem ith the earthing of the lights as the switches in the doors and on the light operate by earthing the circuit
Not the best explaination but I hope you get the drift.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:58 pm

Sounds like wrong switch (with light) for the brake interrupt flash system on your car!

Post by **mrsnak** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:14 am

Shop that hooked it up swears that all went to same places as old leads, but what needs to happen is that instead of the dash light (aftermarket), the wires need to be switched to take advantage of the light on the switch.
As mentioned, previous switch had no light, just the older paddle.
Light on switch goes on with the ignition and stays on. Kind of cool.
Same green as the one in the dash.
Will eventually fix it, but other little things first (like getting a working Speedo).
Am mesmerized by the light, anyway.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:54 am

Is the speedo cable turning ? That's the first check!

Post by **mrsnak** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:46 am

bmcecosse wrote:Is the speedo cable turning ? That's the first check!

You're opening a Pandora's box, now.

The cable is connected to a Datsun motor and it turns. Now trying to get it to work on my Morris speedo, but having issues mainly due to not having a decent working Morris speedo. Tried two, and just get the bouncing needle. Cable end seems to fit the end well (pretty tight). My local resource may have another to try. These are all 40+ year old speedos.
Expensive to get these fixed, and no one sells them reconditioned. A US company specializes in the old Smiths gauges, but at a price!
.

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:38 am

The needle bounce may be due to the cable binding up. Try running release oil down the cable and see if it helps. Also make sure that the cable can run free and does not have any sharp bends to go around.

Post by **mrsnak** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 3:33 pm

PSL184 wrote:The needle bounce may be due to the cable binding up. Try running release oil down the cable and see if it helps. Also make sure that the cable can run free and does not have any sharp bends to go around.

It bounces, but sporadically. will bounce a bit, then sit still, then bounce.
When the same cable was attached to the Datsun speedo (it was hanging under the dash when I got the truck), it worked fine.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:00 pm

Test the speedo with an electric drill and a suitable 'bit' with small square end. Needs to be able to run reverse direction of course. But if the speedo runs true and steady with drill - the problem IS with the cable !

Post by **mrsnak** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:08 am

Good tip.
BTW, haven't tried to take apart the speedo to see the actual mechanism, but just wondering if I might be able to fix it myself if problem is truly not the cable.
Any thoughts?