Foxton turn signal switch

[Ianrhall]

Anyone used one of these?
I fitted one to a friends 47 ford truck today. All working "except" the light on the end of the stalk is on all the time, can see a very faint change when i turn it lft or right.
I think it has something to do with the fact that the truck is positive earth(ground-I'm from the uk!) are these switches designed for negative earth. I think there must be a relay of some sort in there? Maybe one side of the coil is to earth and I'm getting a back feed of some kind?
Thanks
Ian

[koates]

Hi Ian, Your foxton turn signal switch will work neg or pos ground it is not an issue. There is no relay inside the switch, just switching contacts. Make sure the body /housing of the switch has a good ground where it clamps to the steering column. The yellow wire (#7) powers the end of stalk warning light and connects to the "P" terminal on the flasher can. You have to use a three terminal flasher can. Your problem might be the flasher can. Also the can wont flash at the correct speed if the flasher bulbs front and rear don't match the wattage of the flasher can. Ie 21 watt bulb front and rear matched to a 42 watt (approx.) 3 terminal flasher can. Good luck, Kevin.

[my4dv8]

So if there are LED lights fitted this will compound the above problem as most do not draw enough for the flasher .

[koates]

No mention made about LED lights ?? LED Blinker lights require a special electronic flasher unit. If you wish to use a standard flasher unit with LEDs then an in line resistor is required for each LED light to apply the correct load on the flasher unit. LEDs are battery polarity sensitive. Regards, Kevin.

[Old Col]

Hi Kevin, would using something like a Tridon electronic flasher can help the issue?, regards, Colin.

[koates]

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Hi Colin, The tridon electronic flasher unit is very flexible on the load (watts) it can handle. Any where from 5watts to approx. 200 watts, that's about 10 21 watt bulbs. Tridon part number SD13 12 volt 3 pin. But I don't think it will operate two LEDs on their own. I have not tried that. I think you would need the special LED flasher unit. Are you ready for my 34 coupe yet ?? Regards, Kevin.

[Ianrhall]

I don't know the wattage of the bulbs,will have to check that
The flasher is a new 3 term one from a motorcycle shop, had no diagram but process of elimination(or illumination!) got it working. All lights work fine it's just the stalk light that is the problem. Anyone have an internal diagram for the foxton switch, had all afternoon yesterday swapping the 3 terminals round on the flasher!!
Thanks
Ian

[Ianrhall]

Just for clarity, I have followed the diagram exactly and all is working bar the indicator stalk being permanent on
Ian

[Mart]

Ian, does the flasher have any markings on the terminals?

X=supply
L=load
P=panel light

The pins are normally positioned to a standard so they can be plugged into a socket.

Punch "3 pin flasher terminals" into google images and you can see plenty of pictures showing the arrangement.

Mart.

[koates]

Ian, Is that truck 6 or 12 volt system. As I stated before the flasher bulbs need to match the flasher unit. If they don't the flash rate could be fast or slow which in turn can effect how the pilot light works, in your case stays on. Some motor cycle flasher units are only for two 8 watt globes and not suitable for cars or trucks. Identify your bulb wattage and match to the correct flasher unit. Stop guessing. On the bottom of the flasher unit two of the terminals are parallel to each other. The other terminal is at 90 degrees to the other two. That one is the pilot light terminal (yellow wire on the foxton switch). Regards, Kevin.

[trainguy]

I had a similar problem,I ran a separate ground wire to the switch housing and solved the problem

[Ianrhall]

Will have another look tomorrow, hoping its fairly easily resolved as everything else works!

Ian

[Ianrhall]

The P terminal is permanently live, assume bad flasher relay?
Ian

[Mart]

Have you got the feed and load on the right terminals?

[Ianrhall]

Have tried those both ways and it only works one way so I assume it is correct