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Old 06-12-2020, 09:16 PM   #1
shew01
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Default Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

I recently installed a Signal Stat 900, and it seemed to work reasonably well (except for rapid blinking due to LED tail lights).

I’ve had the car apart working on unrelated items. To my knowledge, none of that work disturbed any of the signal wiring. However, today I noticed that the signal switch stopped working properly. It constantly stays on (with no blinking at all, regardless of the turn signal lever position (left, right, or emergency flasher).

Can anyone point me in the right direction for where to look?


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Old 06-12-2020, 09:25 PM   #2
Russ/40
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

Try temporarily connecting a 6 volt bulb to one of the LEDs in parallel. If the flasher flashes as it should, you just need a load due to low current draw of the LED.
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Old 06-12-2020, 09:26 PM   #3
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

What about in the neutral "off" position. Are the lights on then, or just in the left or right position?

Bob
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Old 06-13-2020, 05:18 AM   #4
shew01
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Default Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

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Originally Posted by Russ/40 View Post
Try temporarily connecting a 6 volt bulb to one of the LEDs in parallel. If the flasher flashes as it should, you just need a load due to low current draw of the LED.

I’m not exactly sure how to do that. I really don’t want to cut up any existing wiring, and I don’t want to potentially introduce new problems to a system that used to work.

The turn signal worked reliably earlier (except it blinked a bit fast), and none of the wiring was disturbed to my knowledge. I did however pop out the flasher a couple of days ago, but I can’t recall why I did that. I suspect this may have bearing on the problem. It’s the only thing that has any impact on the signal system that I recall.

(The car has been on jack stands for a few weeks for unrelated repairs and while waiting for parts for those repairs.)


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Last edited by shew01; 06-13-2020 at 05:28 AM.
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Old 06-13-2020, 05:24 AM   #5
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Default Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

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Originally Posted by bobscogin View Post
What about in the neutral "off" position. Are the lights on then, or just in the left or right position?

Bob

Here is what I see. The signal indicators on the switch stay on all the time, meaning that there is no flashing at any time.

Turn signal off (This is the most troubling scenario. Why would the turn signal indicator be “on” when the switch is “off”?):



Right turn signal on:



Left turn signal on:



Emergency flasher on:




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Last edited by shew01; 06-13-2020 at 05:30 AM.
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Old 06-13-2020, 05:58 AM   #6
Ray64
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

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flasher went south 4 sure
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Old 06-13-2020, 06:01 AM   #7
Dennisfly
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

I'd try a new flasher.
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Old 06-13-2020, 06:37 AM   #8
bobscogin
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

Agreed that you should try a new flasher, but check all grounds as lights in a system can do funny things when a ground is lost.

Bob
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Old 06-13-2020, 06:47 AM   #9
shew01
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

Grumble, grumble. It was the flasher. That thing was only about 2 months old. Grrrrrrrr.

Thanks for the help.


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Old 06-13-2020, 06:54 AM   #10
shew01
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

I did add a temporary load (a 6 volt bulb) to the LED parts of the circuit, and it helped even out the flash rate, but this is a terrible temporary solution on my part.




I bought an LED equalizer kit a while back, but it’s 12 volt. I don’t want to cut into the tail light wiring anyway.

In a previous post, I read someone’s suggestion of using hidden bulbs as the extra load for his LED lights. I’m starting to consider that.


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Old 06-13-2020, 08:04 PM   #11
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

I think we went thru this before.

New thermal flashers are junk. A new old or good old flasher [535] is needed. It wouldn't hurt to have a few on hand.

Adding higher candle power [21cp] to the front turn lights [cowl or parking] make them brighter and adds enough to fire the flasher correctly [slower].

Last edited by Patrick L.; 06-14-2020 at 06:25 AM.
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Old 06-13-2020, 11:04 PM   #12
McMimmcs
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Default Re: Stuck Signal Stat 900 Signal Switch

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Originally Posted by shew01 View Post
Grumble, grumble. It was the flasher. That thing was only about 2 months old. Grrrrrrrr.

Thanks for the help.


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My wise Old father used to say, if it happened for no reason it will happen again. You just weren’t smart enough to figure out the problem the first time !
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