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Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 10:51 am
by Tk41774
As title. My brain is hurting trying to wrap it around this
I have a 1958 2 door that is currently wired for just indicators. It does have trafficators however the wiring for these is missing.
What i am trying to achieve is when I turn on the indicators either side they flash and the trafficator will operate at the same time. I have tested the trafficators and they're operational so it should be achievable
Where my brain if failing me is how to wire it to do that, my best theory so far is to use 2 flasher relays after the indicator stalk with a couple of relays, but does anyone have an actual diagram to achieve this
It is converted to negative earth if that helps
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 11:03 am
by MM1949
From the Series MM register section.
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2025 11:23 am
by geoberni
Hi
There a few issues to deal with here, so I'll write them here in the order they come to me, not necessarily in the order of 'severity of issue'.
Don't worry about the polarity, it's not relevant (apart from ensuring that any LED lamps you might use are the correct polarity).
The first thing is how the Indicators have been installed to your Trafficator Car?
Does it follow the concept of the Factory fit, where the circuit goes 1- Supply, 2- Flasher Unit, 3- L/R Selector Switch ?
As you have surmised, the simplest thing to do is change it to be:
1- Supply, 2- L/R Selector 3a- Feed to relevant L/R Trafficator and simultaneously to 3b- Feed to Relevant Indicator Flasher then to Indicator.
Essentially as the diagram that MM1949 has posted for you, while I was writing this.
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2025 9:27 am
by Mr Spigot
I am in the same position as
Tk41774 and the advice and wiring diagram is very helpful. My existing indicators go through a 3-pin relay/flasher and my question is that now I will need two 2-pin relay/flashers, one for each side, are these suitable?
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/produc ... 90b7&_ss=r
Thanks as ever for the great advice.
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2025 12:23 pm
by mike1864
Personally I prefer to operate my trafficators and (after-market) indicators from two different switches.
The trafficators are fed from the original rotary switch (near my right knee), and the indicators via a dashboard switch (I never got around to adapting my Series 2 column to take a column stalk switch!).
So I use the indicators in normal traffic, and operate the trafficators only in display/show scenarios. One benefit of this is that parking with the indication ON doesn't leave the trafficators exposed to damage to/from surrounding objects, cars and passing pedestrians (inc my own disembarking passengers!)
I can of course operate them together, but it involves a lot of fast moving hand work!
Integrating all of this with hazard lights (vital with "Smart" motorways) is a whole other subject.
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2025 7:43 pm
by myoldjalopy
I agree. My indicators and trafficators are also wired separately for the reasons you mention - plus they don't always return when motoring at speed due to air resistance. I guess they didn't have that problem in the days before motorway and dual carriageway slip roads!
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 6:26 pm
by Mr Spigot
Rather than having a separate left/right switch for the trafficators, would it be possible to still control them via the indicator stalk, but have a switch to disable them when on motorways etc? I have a 1960 car with the stalk and green bulb on the end which controls front and rear LED indicators, but I would like the option to have the trafficators working with them at times. I guess this would require some kind of double switch to isolate both left and right trafficator circuits simultaneously while leaving the indicators to work as normal.
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2025 11:47 pm
by don58van
would it be possible to still control them via the indicator stalk, but have a switch to disable them when on motorways etc?
I am pretty sure that there are previous discussions on how to do this on here.
D
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2025 11:42 am
by mike1864
You need one DPST switch (double pole, single throw) fitted in the feeds to the semaphores. But make sure it's not momentary (ie the switch obviously needs to stay in either position, and not spring back when you let go of it!).
I'm sure RS or CPC stock a range.
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2025 12:17 pm
by Bubblemechanic
Hi I have done the exact same thing as you with my 1962 Traveller and when I the indicators in place of the Side lights on the front wings I already had the trafficators working and everytime I turned the indicator on the trafficators worked but all the indicators came on. Like hazard warning and after scratching my head realised that the bulb at the end of the stalk made contact and made a full circuit. Anyway after taking the wiring out of the middle of the stalk everything worked 100% and I have trafficators and flashing indicators all round because I thought that people would not understand what that thing was sticking out
you will have to tap back into the original wiring it seems to me that whoever has tapped into the circuit and disconnected your trafficators I had to run new co;our coded cable into the car and where the bullet connectors are plug the wiring into them also had to buy 2 indicator flasher units because of the 2 seperate circuits .
I hope this makes sense
Paul
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2025 5:25 pm
by Mr Spigot
Many thanks to geoberni for the clear wiring diagram which I think I now understand. Two identical relays, one for each side and connected to a common switch. My only other question is where is the live feed at the other end of the switch best connected? Either side of the ignition switch?
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2025 5:38 pm
by geoberni
Yes,. connect it to the output of the Ign Sw, but after the Fuse, i.e. convenient Solid Green wiring.
Don't connect to Purple or White wiring.
Don't forget that diagram as shown is applicable to DB10 type system.
If you do that 'green' element of the drawing to a 'normal' Indicator/Trafficator switch, you''' end up with Trafficators going up and down like flapping wings.

Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2025 7:23 pm
by Mr Spigot
Thanks, yes I will be using separate flasher units for each side to avoid that!
Re: Wiring to indicators and trafficator works from the same column switch
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2025 9:22 am
by myoldjalopy
I don't think you need worry about talking off!
