Morris Minor Owners Club

Seems to be a problem with these things so let me add mine.

The car is a 1956 model originally with flashing brake lights and white front repeats. It has been upgraded to late style front and rear indicator assemblies.

Last night the RH indicator stopped working (both sides and the light in the speedo). This I found to be a poor connections on the little metal relay box. All fixed!

But heres the problem, the relay box has outputs to the indicators (2,3 and 6,7). 6 goes to the Left front indicator (single wire to bulb, then straight to ground) and 7 goes to the left rear indicator (single wire to bulb, then straight to ground). But if I disconnect 6 then 7 (i.e. the rear) doesnt work. This is the same if I discconnect 7 (i.e. 6 doesnt work). And the same for the other side.

Why is this? It doesnt seem to make sense. My electical knowledge is poor, but I was thinking about fitting hazards (read the thread lower down). But dont want to do anything until I understand this setup.

can anyone explain what is going on?

H

Your relay - is it a large, 8-terminal thingummy as on the 60-62 cars, with the smaller indicator units?

I've had a look at the circuit but can only suggest that this type
of flasher is totally dependent on the amount of current being drawn,
meaning that if one of the bulbs has failed the flashing mechanism
will not work(compared to the modern type where the flasher acts
more rapidly if one bulb goes). Someone with your system will
have to say what the 'norm' is. Do your stop lamps still work??

Willie,

yes it is the larger 8 terminal relay mounted on the o/s inner wing. I havent tested the stop lights, will give that a go.

your theory about the amount of current being drawn appears to be correct. If I disconnect the front indicator, the back one stops. However, if I then short the terminal for the front indicator to earth, the rear indicator starts again. I guess this is not really a good idea, as it all sparked merrily away.

Thanks for the help.