Indicator loss and fuses blowing

[sudburypaul]

Recently fitted an alternator to my 1956 Series 2. A couple of days later the indicators stopped working and no flasher warning light either. I put both wires coming from the flasher unit together and still nothing when I tried the switch. I decided to replace the flasher unit anyway as the L connector was very loose into the unit.

Anyway, to cut a long story short... Changing the flasher unit didn't work. I then took the flasher switch off its bracket to clean the contacts (it's located beneath the dash next to the drivers door) and found 4 wires behind: 2 connected to the screw pins at each end of the 4 pin switch - pins 1 and 4 (the car has had indicators fitted, so has 1 newish red wire coming from each pin and one that appears to be from the original loom). I of these red wires goes to connector B on the flasher unit. Now, here is the flummoxing bit: There was a fifth wire: the other end of the wire coming from connector L on the flasher unit was found unconnected inside the flasher switch. I've fitted the new flasher unit and attached the two wires up to B and L as they were previously, but don't know where this floating wire from connector L should be attached. (This all seems terribly convoluted - I hope it makes sense to someone )

On top of this, when I now turn on the ignition it fluctuates momentarily and then I lose the fuel gauge reading and wiper use. The ignition light is still on and the fuel pump is still operating. At one point it blew both fuses when I turned it on. Now it is blowing the bottom of the 2 fuses and even did this when I tried to replace a fuse with the ignition off. At that point I gave up for the night!

On check, the flasher switch warning light has definately blown but all other indicator bulbs were fine when I checked them the other day. I'll check them tomorrow when it is light.

I'm wondering whether it is an earthing problem but have no idea where the dodgy earth might be.

Has anyone any bright ideas on what might be causing this short or power surge or suggestions on how to get old Eddie to stop blowing a fuse and winking again?

Cheers, Paul

[mike.perry]

Have you got the black two way switch with the red light in the middle? If so then you only need a two terminal flasher unit. If you want a flashing warning light then you will need a 3 pin flasher with the P Terminal wired to a separate bulb using light green wire. Green feed wire goes from the fuse box to B (or X) terminal. Green/brown goes from the L terminal to the indicator switch Term 3. Green/red from switch Term 2 to LH F/R indicators, Green/white from Term 5 to RH F/R indicators.
Red wires are for side lights and should not be anywhere near the indicators. Earth wires should only be from the light unit to the body.
The flasher should be rated at 42 + 5 W

[sudburypaul]

Hi Mike

Thanks for this. The answer is yes I have the black bakelite-type switch with the red light in the middle. The new flasher unit is a 3 pin type. I'll check out its rating. Before I consider exchanging it for a 2-pin (would this be the screw pin type that Bull motif stock?) then, the wire (green) goes from fuse box to term B on the flasher unit - that's clear. Would that be top or bottom fuse it links to (not the horn one?)
Looking at the rear of the flasher switch then, there is: Top left, the term that acts as a contact for the bulb. Below this there are 4 terms into which the contact slots when the switch is turned. Numbering them 1-5, which way round does this go - L-R or R-L? ie is Term 5 the bulb contact term?
So, each terminal in the switch should only have one wire fitted into it instead of the 2 it currently has.
Lastly, when you say Earth wires should only be from the light unit to the body are you thinking that these red wires are the sidelights being earthed through the indicator switch? I believe the flasher unit itself earths through its body where fixed to the car body?
Sorry, electrics not my strong point. Mechanicals neither come to think of it...

Cheers, Paul

[beero]

From what you are saying it appears that later indicators have been added (replacing the 8way relay unit) using non standard wire colours so it is difficult for anyone to help you as existing wiring diagrams are useless.
It seems the green wires are earthing somewhere causing the bottom fuse to blow. This could be anywhere.
A good starting point would be to disconnect all 4 green wires at the fuse and put them back separately one at a time noting which items work on each wire and noting which wire blows the fuse and let us know your findings.
For a guide this is what should be fed by each green wire
1 fuel gauge, heater, oil pressure, wipers
2 brake lights
3 indicator switch (should be redundant with new indicators and could be the wire that is earthing)
4 flasher relay

[sudburypaul]

Great, that's very helpful as now have a clear idea of what the fuse connects to and can test each. Strangely it was all working fine despite its idiosincracies. Will get there eventually...

Cheers, Paul

[mike.perry]

If you are going to do the job properly then rip out all the wrong colour wires and wire the indicators with the correct colours. Next time you have to do any electrical work you will be glad that you used the correct colours.
The terminal numbers are in the switch, you may need a magnifying glass

[sudburypaul]

Thanks Mike - was thinking that mnight be a good thing to do. Mighht have to get a chil;d with good eyesight to have alook at the connections

[sudburypaul]

Okay guys, thanks for your help.

Indicators are now up and running. I rewired as per Mike's instructions and hey presto! Whilst at it I relocated the flasher unit to the bulkhead (it was in a tight position on the parcel shelf under the dash) and checked the terminals and connections to the fuse box. The blown fusing has stopped, I suspect as a result of the rewiring to the flasher unit and switch, so as well as indicators I now have windscreen wipers, a fuel reading and brake lights. I still don't understand how it was previously wired for the indicators, but not as simple as it is now.

Thanks again, I'm now feeling more confident with the electrics: Next step, fitting a cd player for my daughter's 18th...

Paul

[beero]

Well done Paul, you see, electrics is not the 'black art' some people fear it is.

[sudburypaul]

Yeah, feeling good about it - as long as someone says 'this is where you need to connect these wires' I'm fine. It is a problem with having updated modified electrics and using original wiring diagrams... Lots of tea, patience, and being systematic seems the key. I went to Halfords today to look at in-car cd players. The shop assistant's jaw nearly hit the floor when I asked if they fitted stereos to 1956 Morris Minors. Don't worry I said, I'll fit it myself

The bulb in the bakelite indicator switch needs replacing, so no indicator warning light at present. I'm thinking about rerouting this to the indicator light on the speedo dial as have fitted the 3 connector flasher unit. So, if I connect a wire to the P terminal on the flasher and feed it to the speedo warning light is there anything I need to do other than connect them up?

Cheers, Paul

[beero]

Your car is earlier than mine so I'm not sure but, is there an indicator light on the speedo?
I thought it was oil, ignition and main beam.
I have added a warning light, put it in a hole where there was once a switch fitted, and you are right , just wire it to P and then earth the lamp.

[mike.perry]

The problem with the indicator switch may not be the bulb, remove the bulb and test it, it should be a 12V screw fit. If the bulb works then check inside the switch. There should be a copper strip joining T5 (bottom left) to top left term. I found that even with this strip the bulb would not work so I added a wire from T2 (bottom right) to top right term and the light worked. I do not know if it will flash or stay on as mine is wired for trafficators.
If you run a light green wire from term P on the flasher unit to a sutable warning light then it should flash. As above, I don't think that there was ever an indicator warning light on the speedo, it was always on the indicator switch.

[sudburypaul]

Thanks

My speedo definately has an indicator warning light - orange top left of the dial - so must be from a later model? Yes, there is the copper strip. Can't test the bulb as was in pieces when it came out. We'll see what happens when I replace it, otherwise I'll fit the wire as suggested.

Cheers, Paul

[sudburypaul]

We have light!

New bulb completes the job: Overall a pleasing little bit of work

Thanks for all the advice guys

Paul

[mike.perry]

Is that the bulb in the switch or speedo?

[sudburypaul]

The switch - no need for any rewiring in the switch either - lucky as it is such a fiddly little job.