Turn Signal Flashers Not Holding Up - Fixed - See Post 23

[Pilotdave]

I have had a Signal Stat 900 turn signal installed in our Roadster for more than 10 years. I've been using a 6v, + ground electromechanical flasher (Bratton's 18761) for several years. All of the bulbs are incandescent.

Recently the indicator lights on the turn signal unit stopped flashing when I was signaling a turn, though the turn signal lights worked fine. After some troubleshooting this morning, I replaced the flasher with another of the same type and all was well - until late this afternoon. Once again the indicator lights don't work and this time the turn signal lights are on but don't flash.

I'm thinking that the flashers are the source of this trouble. Has anyone had similar experience with this sort of flasher? And is there a flasher that is bullet proof?

Thanks for any suggestions!
David

[mcgarrett]

David,
My car is 6 volt, positive ground and I've been using a flasher similar to this one for several years with no problems. All of my bulbs are incandescent as well.

https://memotronics.com/6-volt-3-pro...round-elf33p6/

[Pilotdave]

Thanks, MC. That flasher looks identical to the one I'm using.

[Gary WA]

Make sure a good ground at steering wheel area! My lights work great but the flasher bulb only lights up when i turn on,but are still flashing.

[Herb Concord Ca]

Solder a wire to the clamp and run it to ground. The signal stat must be grounded for the lights in the switch to work.
Some of the "mechanical" flashers have polarity sensitive electronics inside. I found one on amazon that was made for on 6V positive ground cars. It works great.

[Herb Concord Ca]

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Solder a wire to the clamp and run it to ground. The signal stat must be grounded for the lights in the switch to work.
Some of the "mechanical" flashers have polarity sensitive electronics inside. I found one on amazon that was made for on 6V positive ground cars. It works great.

[Pilotdave]

Thanks, everyone. I appreciate all your suggestions. One of my troubleshooting steps this morning was to run a wire from the clamp directly to ground; the indicator lights still didn't flash.

For now I have reinstalled the flasher that gives me blinking turn signals but no indicator lights. I have a box full of flashers - none of them do better and some give me worse results. I will keep poking at this!

[CT Jack]

Maybe your indicator light is NG.

[Badpuppy]

Indicator bulb must be 6V also. Bad grounds wreak havoc.

[Pilotdave]

Thanks, guys.

The indicator bulbs are part of the Signal Stat unit which is for 6v, + ground. They were both working for a while yesterday, but perhaps they died. I'm thinking that this is a grounding issue - next test is to run my trusty clip wire directly from the battery to the clamp on the steering column. Or maybe connect a separate ground lead inside the unit and see if that cures the problem!

[JayJay]

Some of the flashers have an independent ground that must be hooked up independently of the SignalStat. You wil find a fourth wire or terminal on the flasher if that's the case. I ran into that one time...nothing worked until we hooked that ground up.

[nkaminar]

Likely a loose connection or connector somewhere.

[Pilotdave]

Thanks for the suggestions. If a loose connection, I would think that it must be inside the Signal Stat unit. Potentially a loose ground, though I have tested that by connecting a separate ground wire from the steering column clamp to a good ground point. More investigation required!

[rotorwrench]

That's true. A loose connection anywhere in the system can change the current flow enough that things won't function properly. Bulbs can be tested independently. Bulb sockets can get loose or corroded. It all has to be checked to insure reliable function.

I have a funky connection on one of my Harleys. One side functions normally and the other side will just be lights on but the bikes are push button switches so they don't compare well with a brake light related switching system like the 900 signal. The automobile switching systems are more complicated. The signal stat flasher switches aren't what they used to be either.

[Pilotdave]

I have tested the indicator light bulb - it's fine. I have connected a lead between the clamp attaching the Signal Stat unit to the steering column and the + battery terminal.

Question: Based on what I'm seeing in the Signal Stat unit, the indicator light socket sits electrically between the P prong on the flasher and ground. I soldered a separate lead to the P prong on the flasher and connected my voltmeter between that and ground. I believe that the voltmeter should indicate 6v every time the turn signal lights flash. Does this make sense to the electronic wizards out there?

If this is correct, the flasher isn't sending power to the indicator light in the Signal Stat unit when the turn signals are on - so the flasher is the source of the problem.

Thanks again for your help!

[rotorwrench]

With incandescent bulbs, a person should be able to use a standard non electronic signal stat with only the bi-metallic switch. The electronic ones are basically needed if a person is using LED bulbs due to the very low current draw but should function either way if connected as directed by the manufacturer. Incandescent draw enough current as long as all the bulbs are working. It seems that a lot of this stuff isn't as reliable as it used to be.

[Pilotdave]

Amen to that, Rotorwrench! Over the last few years I have accumulated about a dozen or so flashers, all intended for 6v, + gnd. These are flasher types that historically functioned well, yet these just don't work properly.

[Tom F OHIO]

Pilotdave please let us know what you find to take care of this problem.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Pilotdave

Amen to that, Rotorwrench! Over the last few years I have accumulated about a dozen or so flashers, all intended for 6v, + gnd. These are flashers that historically functioned well, yet these just don't work properly.

I also have a "collection" of flasher units that do not work for one reason or another. What they all have in common is they are made of Chinesium. The ones that work either say USA on them or one that works says Taiwan. None of my Chinesium ones work properly.

[Pilotdave]

Paul, country of origin may well be the explanation. I have ordered one from Memotronics (see post #2) even though I can't tell where it is made from their website. I will report back once it shows up and I've tried it.