trafficator switch position.

[Trickydicky]

For the record my Traficator switch is on the steering coloum and the indicator switch is on the left of the steering wheel, just below the dash and above the fresh air intake pull knob.

Mine is a 1961 saloon.

[mike.perry]

Trickydicky, If your car is a '61 then the trafficators are original and the indicators are an added extra.

[Trickydicky]

Thanks for that Mike, I did wonder if they were both original or the idicators added later.

At least I know now that my Trafficators have not been Saville`d

[mike.perry]

Not allowed to use the "S" word, you could be deleted

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Does anybody still run around on trafficators alone or am I in a minority? People do generally see them but there are always a few...

[MarkyB]

I wouldn't run them alone in this day and age.
People have grown to expect big flashing lights at eye level now, not having something at least similar is asking to be rear ended IMHO.

[chesney]

I'm soon to be reinstating mine (via a relay to keep the indicators, so I can have trafficators on/off).
My biggest concern is if you leave them on and then you or your passenger get out they can snap them off on a 2 door. Plus they are less evident to drivers plus you can't always be 100% certain they are working (ie - not stuck).
Plus, not really M1 material are they

[mike.perry]

A few purist Series MM owners who want to keep their car original still use trafficators but I am trying to convert them into using removable brackets for shows and the wiring diagram on http://seriesmm.mmoc.org.uk Tech. Info, Trafficator and indicator wiring diagram, which allows indicators and trafficators to be used from the same switch.
With wing mirrors fitted it should be possible to see the trafficators but it is true that at motorway speeds wind resistance can affect the operation

[Jonnyd]

I've got a '60 and have traffickers in place and all present and correct but not wired up. Indicators have been added later but I would like to get them going again on a separate switch. Anyone have any idea what that would of looked like?

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Hmm. The thing is my car is completely original and I don't want to be adding winkers. I get by OK now that it never goes on the motorway plus with my arm stuck out of the window should alert even the most stupid of motorists.

Also discard the glow-worm 3 watt festoons for something much brighter.

Chesney - the very problem you describe happened to me. 56 years without incident and then I forget to cancel and the passenger snaps the thing off. They don't exactly grown on trees either.

[chesney]

Not so much a problem for 4 doors/vans/travs as you see it before you hit it
My Morris has only been on the motorway twice, the A1 and the M62, it wasn't enjoyable with my tired old 948 and I avoid now at all costs, even with flashers!
As an aside, has anyone any idea what current they draw? As above, I am about to reinstate my trafficators with a relay to save putting current through the switch, but I have no idea what they draw. Any ideas?

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

It's negligible - the solenoid won't use much.

[chesney]

Cheers, will try a 5 amp relay

[kennatt]

one of the other problems I have,is that with a four door the seat belt upper mounting has to go on the door pillar,and to do so I needed to re inforce the area where the trafficator housing is( The frame was left original and a thick steel bar was slotted down inside the door pillar bolted top and bottom to spread the load down the whole pillar) This would need to be removed to refit the unit,so I would lose the lap and diagonal belts,So either no belts and trafficators,or find some other seatbelt system like a racing harness which would look and feel c....p. Any ideas how to solve that one. Not sure I'd like to drive again without belts.And not sure if just mounting the upper close to the roof joint would be strong enough,there's' not much metal in the four door pillar.

[IaininTenbury]

MY 64 van has cutouts in the inside of the door pillars for trafficators. (I guess they hadn't got round to retooling at that stage), but also includes 2 seatbelt captives, one above the slot and one below. Ok the high one is too high and the low one is a bit low for me, but it may work for you if diff height and diff seats etc.

I just have trafficators only on the Railton, but live in rural area and do a small mileage in that car. However when in traffic use hand signals as well just to get the attention of other motorists. If it was a Minor that was seeing more useage I'd fit extra indicators probably below the bumpers to avoid extra holes. Depends where you live and drive and what you're comfortable with.

[Trickydicky]

I dont generally use mine, just using the fitted flashing indicators. The biggest problem I have with the indicators is the location of the switch when your navigating roundabouts, trying to change gear, turn the steering wheel and flick the switch can be a pain sometimes. When the co pilot is with me thats her job

Richard

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

And that Richard is the beauty of owning a British car or one actually designed to be driven on the correct, i.e. Left side of the road - the indicators are operated by the right hand whilst the left is free to change gear. Though your indicators must be on the gearlever side to have the problem.

[chesney]

If it is a problem may be worth having a go at wiring up the trafficators to the column switch, and the trafficators to the dash switch. Not as original but who will know! Can't be too difficult, that's how mine are ('58 saloon)!

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Alternatively have all going on the original switch. I have seen this done on a members' car and it looks good.

[chesney]

I would use relays to avoid putting too much load through the switch.
Well, it's what I'm doing