Sticky trafficator

[Morrisminormo]

Hi
My drivers side trafficator is starting to stick, with engine off it needs a bit of encouragement, ie tap from the inside. When engine is on it works 90% of the time, perhaps has more voltage when engine is on, or just vibration making it easier for it??
Either way I would like it to work 100% of the time as its my only visual way of telling people where I am going... If your going to say fit flasher units, or fit modern indicators then please don't bother.... If people are that uneducated that they don't know what a trafficator is then its their problem! Period!!

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

I would try oiling the trafficator mechanism, just some light oil were it moves. It earths via the body so also check that there is a good contact were the mounting attaches to the body, its only a few screws to remove to get at it.

Im hearing what you are saying about uneducated people and trafficators, having driven several with only trafficators and one of them as my daily for a couple of years I always used hand signals along with the trafficator as even the older people who do remember them probably wont notice them! I have added indicators to my cars but have them working with the trafficator, you can very neatly fit a stop tail bulb (brake light type) in the front and use a your original lens and add an orange one below the back bumper on a bracket. Personally I feel safer with this set up especailly on motorways

[Morrisminormo]

Thanks for your reply,

I see your point about using original lenses so you feel safer. I have been surprised that people actually take notice of my trafficators and know which way I want to go.

Will check earth and oil

[Trickydicky]

I use 3 in 1 oil, in a oil can that is used for sewing machines, one that you squeeze to push oil out it has a long spout to get into awkward areas.
I sometimes have the same problem as yourself but after a drop of oil and a few operations they work properly again.

[bmcecosse]

The volts will be higher with battery being charged. As others have said - some light oil will be the way. If you only use these trafficators then I'm afraid it is NOT just 'other peoples' problem' if they don't notice them - and end up embedded in the side of your car. It will be very much YOUR problem. And the Police may take the view that you didn't make your intentions sufficiently clear. Back in the day, trafficators were supplemented by hand signals - and traffic was of course very much lighter then too.

[Morrisminormo]

Ill try some 3 in 1 oil later. Surly if police thought cars with trafficators didn't make their intentions clear, then why isn't it law? And how could they prove you never made your intentions clear in the first place?? It's like saying if you had a crash in a mot exempt car, your car wasn't roadworthy in the first place. I am not trying to be difficult and I can see the safety aspect of flashing indicators, but that still won't stop idiots driving up my DONT SWEAR OR YOU WILL BE BANNED! And the amount of modern cars I see every day that don't even use there indicators! At least I am making my intentions clear by using trafficators / hand signals.

[Morrisminormo]

Would it be possible to make your brake lights flash, like a American car? That way my car will still look original ( that's one reason I chose a earlier minor as the back of the car looks great without indicator lenses) that way ill be happy and also a safer road user reading my post back I did seem rather childish but I think as I'm using my car daily it would be a good idea for flashing indicators, especially for the winter months. I like idea of front side light lens flashing and rear brake lights flashing. At least if I had a accident ( heaven forbid ) the police can see I made my intentions clear albeit not the typical amber flashing units we see today

I had a 1978 trans am for 9 years and I had flashing tail lights and never had issues with the law.

[bmcecosse]

You could do. If you do hand signals you can't be faulted. But the point really is to avoid an 18 wheeler flattening your car.....

[rob.hardy1]

I have 59 saloon with trafficators and feel VERY uncomfortable relying on them to indicate my intentions to other road users. There is no doubt that if you were indicating using them you may very well be in the right but that would be of little consolation to the family you leave behind.
I always assume that other drivers are idiots and there are lots of them about that make that assumption a reality.
My advice would be use 'em but don't RELY on them keeping you safe.
rob

[mike.perry]

Today's road layouts are different and from a lot of angles trafficators cannot be seen, especially on mini roundabouts.
I have followed Minors with just trafficators, and a faded yellow piece of plastic is difficult to see in bright sunlight even when you know where to look

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

The american type can be fitted, they were fitted to 948 and 1098 minors for a couple of years. It uses an 8 way relay thats pretty complicated to wire in! My 1963 has that type of indicators, I always indicate really early and have only ever had one 'road rage' type of incident with someone who didnt see it, or said thy didnt.......

Here is the relay you would use,

http://morrisminorspares.co.uk/shop/pro ... 83a4a10cdf

[faversham999]

1959 Hand signals were part of the Driving Test. Now we have better lights its not. In the summer you would have to open the window and that ruin the Air Conditoned interior

[Rabbitt]

Hi
My drivers side trafficator is starting to stick, with engine off it needs a bit of encouragement, ie tap from the inside. When engine is on it works 90% of the time, perhaps has more voltage when engine is on, or just vibration making it easier for it??
Either way I would like it to work 100% of the time as its my only visual way of telling people where I am going... If your going to say fit flasher units, or fit modern indicators then please don't bother.... If people are that uneducated that they don't know what a trafficator is then its their problem! Period!!

I have the similar issue on driver side only. When the switch (White lever model under-right dash) is used it works 80% of the time. Even though I am currently fitting indicators I would like to get it sorted. If the RH trafficator does fail to extend , and the lever is left on , I have found that a very light PRESS inwards on the arm results in a slight click - and presto all good. It is as if something is "releasing". Obviously with the switch being ON the trafficator has pressure and is trying to raise , but cannot until this light pressing moves the mechanism , and something is able to release. Could this be a/the locking pin/tab ?. I have looked at diagrams but not 100% clear.
The piston appears to be moving fine up/down , but I think it is the linkage mechanism somehow. You can feel this "click" on and off with the switch when lightly holding the trafficator from raising. (not doing this for any length of time obviously.) I guess I may have to remove the whole trafficator out to take a look at it operating and what occasionally sticks. Is it repairable?

[palacebear]

You've probably already done these, but first and simple check. Is the arm centralised or slightly misaligned and fouling slightly on the slot? Next - is the orange lens damaged at all? I had a sticky trafficator for some time before realising the lens had broken inside its fixing clamp, causing the arm not to move fully on occasions.

[Rabbitt]

thanks for the heads-up , yes I have checked any fouling of the edges on operation....the only other thing is that there is a slight sideways movement but not excessive. The light does however flicker sometimes when gently moving the arm from side to side indicating a possible connection issue as well with the wire contact. I have replaced the lens as well recently as I had the stereotypical "accident" getting out of the car with it extended.!..but it was the same even prior to this anyway. Has always been intermittent. Sounds like I will have to remove it and take a look at the linkages I guess.

[SteveClem]

Many years ago,when I got my first Minor, and knew even less about them than I know now, I had non functioning trafficators. I was surprised to find that they were really easy to remove,dismantle and clean up. They've worked without any problem ever since, just benefit from the odd drop of light oil now and then.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Fitting a brighter bulb improves visibility. The originally specified rating - was it 3w or 6w? - is laughably poor. Just fit the brightest festoon bulb you can that is the same physical size.

[firedrake1942]

In terms of sticking, sometimes the little rubber bump stop is missing and causes the trafficator arm to go to far in which can throw it out of line slightly. The bump stops are a couple of pounds but can make the difference .

[estepona1999]

Hi Firedrake,I have trafficators on my 1958 traveller and like you I have one sticking a little,I will try a little light oil,but I am not aware of the little rubber buffer,do you have a name for this and where I can get some? Thanks

[firedrake1942]

I think I saw them on e bay and ESM recently/ They are really small but allow the lens to sit back on the buffer so it doesn't hit the trafficator assembly and sit straight,

Yipee!

found some

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rubber-Buffer ... 2324978121