A turn signal problem

[Larry LewisParticipant]

Sorting out the lights on my 49 BL after its long sojourn in the body shop being restored I find that the right side turn signals do not work. It has the “egg timer” type switch that works on the left side but not on the right. When putting the switch to the right side the dashboard indicator will flash but no power goes out of the switch terminal. Can these flasher units be repaired or should I install a DPDT switch? I’d like to keep the car as original as possible but I will do what I have to do. I have taken one of these apart before and I had no idea what I’m looking at, it would be like fixing a clock which is not something I would ever attempt.  Any advice out there? I’ve rewired the car completely  with good earthing for the lights.

[BernieParticipant]

Larry,

I presume by “egg timmer” you mean the wonderful clockwork switch.  As this is purely mechanical the only things that usually go wrong are wear, corrosion on the contacts or damage to a gear tooth.

Of course they can be taken apart.  Some units have a clear plastic back so you can sometimes see if there is an obvious fault before opening up the unit.  Depending on the type you may only need to undo 3 or 4 small nuts but others are riveted and they will need drilling out and then reassembly can be more difficult.

If the clockwork part is working correctly, i.e. winding up, ticking down and then cancelling – in both directions – check the nylon “selector” (in the centre of the contact switching arrangement) for correct operation and/or damage. If that is fine the fault is almost certainly in the switching system.  Are the contacts making and breaking correctly?  If in doubt as to how they should operate, you can compare the action of the duff side with the other, correctly operating, half.  If all seems to be working the points may simply need cleaning or closing slightly to ensure good contact.

However, if the clockwork timing mechanism is not operating properly then, as you suspect, it is a clock/watchmakers problem and probably best not tackled by the faint hearted.

The great thing about theses switches is that, unlike the electronic alternatives,  they are not Voltage specific and they therfore perform happily in either 6 or 12V systems. I have seen new ones advertised but, unfortunately, they rarely incorporate an integral warning lamp.  Second hand items do come up from time to time but I fear you may be forced, temporarily at least, to revert to an electronic replacement if yours transpires to be beyond repair.

B…..

[BernieParticipant]

…. here us a link to a  new unit but withou the desirable integral warning lamp……

https://www.s-v-c.co.uk/product/clockwork-indicator-switch/

I guess you may find something less expensive your side of the pond – and adding a warning light would probably not be rocket surgery.

B…..

[BernieParticipant]

And another.  This has a terminal to wire in a warning lamp and the pictures also show the mechanism clearly…..

https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/mobile/product/1584/category/44

B…

[Larry LewisParticipant]

Thanks Bernie- the unit does flash properly when turning to the left, it ticks and then shuts off but the dash indicator light does not flash when turning left. Turning it to the right, it ticks and shuts off but no power is coming out of the switch. The dash light does flash when turning right so maybe I can sort it out.  Over here I can get a lever switch that looks good but with that I will need a 6 volt flasher. I’ve done that on my 54 11B and it works well but no automatic shut-off. I’ll take a crack at it later today.

[BernieParticipant]

Are you are sure there is no power at the right turn output terminal?  I ask because, if I remember correctly,  the internal indicator lamp circuit is wired to use the opposite circuit to that of the selected  direction and depends on those lamps being connected. A broken circuit could explain why the dash light only works when the flashers don’t,  and vice-versa.

I therefore think the fault might lie in the wiring between the switch and the lamps.  I suggest you try powering the right indictators directly by connecting a live source to the right output terminal on the switch (You may be able to short directly between the input and that terminal?).

If that fires up the lamps then I am wrong and the fault is definitely in the switch.  In that case it definitely sounds as if the various contacts are not making correctly when you change over and it needs to be fettled.

Bon courage!

B…

 

[Larry LewisParticipant]

It turns out there were two faults- The switch itself and the right rear turn signal socket which was shorted to earth. For that, the bulb positive contact was touching the base of the socket fixture because the plastic insulator was broken. I have checked the switch and there is no power coming from the right side terminal. I am putting in a switch available from Jose Franssen and a separate flasher relay. Traffic being what it is here, I would rather have the turn signals on for more than 20 seconds at a time. Does anyone want the old switch? I will send it to anyone who wants it for the price of postage.

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