Another indicator question!

[MGFmad]

I am starting to put everything back together again and have just finished fitting all the lights and indicators.

The indicators all work but the flashing is very irregular, varying between a fast and slow flash.

Is the flasher unit in need of replacement or is there something else I should do?

Thanks

[bmcecosse]

Sounds like bad connection somewhere? Take the flasher off and join the two main wires together - this brings the lights on steadily (depending on the arm position) and you can go round checking for any loose or bad connections - or just poor contacts inside the bulb holders. Once working a good squirt of WD40 helps to keep them going.

[MGFmad]

Thanks for the reply. I got a chance to check over the wiring today and all seems well. I gave the flasher unit a tap with the handle of a screwdriver and its now working perfectly. For now anyway!

[Luxobarge]

If it's OK now, then fine. However, when I restored my Midget (similar electrical system) I had no end of problems with the flasher speed - sometimes it would be OK, but other times too slow, erratic etc. in spite of replacing the OE flasher unit and making sure all the connections were spot-on..

In the end I went to my local motor factors (at a time when they were quiet and could aford me some time and attention) and asked them to get out a range of "modern" solid state flasher units - I soon found one with the right number of wires, quite cheap, and I fitted that. Because the "flash" function on these is controlled by a little electronic circuit and not by a bi-metallic strip, the flash rate remains constant within a wide voltage range, and there's no mechanical contacts to go manky. They still provide "bulb failure" function though - the dash indicator stays on without flashing if you have a blown bulb, so you can tell from the driver's position.

A great and cheap mod!