Flasher problems

Post by **RupertBrisley** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:57 am

Hi all,

I know that there was a recent post on this but mine is a slightly different flasher issue...

I was having problems with the flasher unit speeding up if it was on for more than a few seconds but otherwise all working fine. Then the unit? failed and I started to get a solid light (no flashing) when trying to indicate in either direction. I guessed that it was a dodgey flasher can and bought a replacement. I fitted this and now get a permanent indicator light wether indicating or not and with engine on or off.

Have I connected the new unit incorrectly? Or, is something else amiss

Any advice welcomed.

Cheers

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:36 am

Sounds faulty - some have reported problems with dodgey new units. Just check the wires are on the correct terminals!

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:00 pm

With the engine off there should be no power to the flasher unit as it is fed directly from the ignition fuse. check the green cable at the flasher end with a test light. The light should go out when the ignition is off. If that works check the cables are connected to the correct terminals:- Green - Term B, Light Green - Term P, Green/Brown - Term L. This is assuming that you have a 1098 Minor with a 3 pin flasher.

Post by **RupertBrisley** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:26 pm

It has a red and yellow wire, red wire and a blue and white wire to the three pins marked P, L and B respectively ? It's a M1000 1969 with stop tail lights doubling as indicators. The new flasher has P, L and X.

There is constant power to the indicators (and stalk) regardless as to their position (ie left right and off) when the ignition is on, but without the engine running.

Post by **bigjohn** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:30 pm

arnt they the wires for the lights? i could be wrong,or someone as butcherd the wiring?

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:06 pm

Rupert, A M1000 1969 should have stop/tail lights and separate flashing orange indicators in the same unit. There should be power to the flasher as long as the ignition is on.
The wiring, if connected to the flasher unit is completely wrong.
Red/yellow is normally used for fog/spot lights etc, red is the side/tail lights, blue/white is from the dip switch to main beam and warning light. If you have not got the correct wiring then you are on your own.

Post by **RupertBrisley** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:57 pm

Sorry typo! - 1960 model not 1969

Post by **mike.perry** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 5:21 pm

You have the model with the relay which operates the flashers through the brake lights. You should still have green, light green and green/brown wires going to the flasher unit. There may be a problem with the relay but I have never dealt with them so I will leave it to someone else.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 10:22 pm

The wire colours you describe - sound more like they are going to a relay of some kind - not a flasher unit! Blue/white is very definitely head lamp main beam - NOT anything to do with flashers - and Red is side lights. So - as suggested above - I think this is some kind of arrangement to bring on some spot lights (red/yellow wire) when main beam is switched on. But - it''s a crazy idea to feed them from the side light (red wire) circuit!
Are there any markings on the old 'flasher unit' you have taken off ? Such as 6RA ?? Which is a relay - not a flasher!!

Post by **RupertBrisley** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:27 pm

the unit says Lucas FlasherFL5 12V42 and then 35020A2069 Do not drop!

I presume that this is the flasher control because it (used to) tick when the indicators flashed and when it's removed the flashers cease to function!

It is odd in that they are usually (I think) situated in the engine compartment adjacent to the regulator whereas mine has been moved inside the cabin under the dash behind the steering wheel.

Do you think that this is a bodge? Seems like an odd thing to change the wire colours? Generally the car is pretty much original although it has undergone a spruce up at some point recently.

Post by **bigjohn** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:51 pm

mine is a 61 saloon and my flasher is under the dash try following the wires from the indicator stalk to there ends that is were the wires connect to the flasher[well it does on mine]

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 4:55 pm

Someone may just have used whatever wire was available to them! Makes it v difficult now to trace the problem - even more difficult for us to help at a distance. Try connecting the wires together in pairs - until you get the lights coming on (obviously they won't flash!) at each side when you flip the lever.

Post by **rich-legg** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:03 pm

Sounds like a bad earth to me.

The reason it gets quicker when it's on for a period of time, is the flasher unit gets hot, and causes it to speed up.

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:16 pm

Some one has probably put it under the dash so you can hear it 'ticking' as you cant when it under the bonnet.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:30 pm

The big green flashing light is a good clue though!

Post by **RupertBrisley** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:59 am

Hi All,

Brief update (which leaves me feeling a little sheepish!). The weather has finally permitted me to have a closer look and I find that Yes, as suggested, the wires have been got at. I think that to bring the unit inside the cab, the wires have been extended using whatever colours were to hand.

I suspect that was done some time ago becuase of the size and condition of the bullet connectors.

So, the Red wire is connected to Green/Red, the Red/Yellow to Green and the blue to a thicker Green (in a group of three wires - Green and the other two Red/White and Red/Green). Is this correct?

I checked each of the connections and yes, found a loose wire (Red/yellow), so I have put a new bullet connector and then tried the new Flasher - result - still no flashing! In frustration I put the old flasher back on and guess what, they now work perfectly! They no longer seem to speed up and flash pretty well.

Good job I don't do this for a living.

Thanks for your input. RB