Page 1 of 1

blinker problems

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:59 am
by bikesndbugs
I was wiring up my blinkers and got the front to turn on but not blink then went to plug the rear in now the front wont light up unplug it and the front turns on. Its not the bulb because i tested both filaments and they both work. Before i pulled the blinkers off they used to not blink unless i revved the motor and at idle they wouldn't blink. Could my relay have gone out? any ideas on what it is?

This is on a baja bug so im using the front blinker in the back and round pods in front i have the taillights and blinkers wired up in the rear the brake and reverse have yet to come

Re: blinker problems

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 12:04 pm
by Marc
Are you using a 3-wire t'signal switch (requires separate filaments for the rear t'signals and brakelamps) or is the stoplight switch output going through the t'signal switch (so that the same filament can serve as both rear t'signal and brakelamp)?

What type of flasher are you using?

When troubleshooting t'signal issues, I've found it best to first bypass the flasher altogether, so that the t'signal switch is receiving steady power, and verify that all the lamps come on steady (and with equal brilliance) when selected. Any oddities are usually caused by poor grounds, especially common if fiberglass fenders are involved - since there's no ground path provided through them as there is with steel fenders, ground wires between the lampholders and a metal part of the body/chassis must be provided.
Once that's verified, connect the flasher. Reason being, many flashers are designed to only function properly within a narrow range of load current - that way you know from the driver's seat if a lamp fails since the flasher will either stop cycling or will flash at a faster rate. "Heavy duty" style flashers which are used on a car that sometimes needs to tow a trailer operate consistently irrespective of the load current (so they'll work with or without the added load of the trailer lights).

You didn't mention if any of the lamps are LEDs - that usually will require the use of a specialized flasher or the addition of load resistors to simulate the higher current draw of incandescent lamps.

Re: blinker problems

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 2:47 pm
by bikesndbugs
its a dual filament bulb one for turn signal one for taillights brake lights will be wired up later and seperatly. The flasher im assuming is stock 68 beetle. NO leds I used the front fenders in the rear because its a baja bug so the blinker is the pods off the front my ground seem to be good the tailights work fine and my front ground is on the same ground my headlights are on. ill bypass the flasher and see how that goes. I have a feeling its my flasher as my blinkers used to only flash when engine was revved not at idle. My ground strap may also be a problem as it is very corroded

Re: blinker problems

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:55 pm
by Marc
The original flasher for a `68 is the 7-prong compound relay which incorporates the hazard-flasher function internally - they are getting hard to come by in 100% functional condition. If you're still using that one and 4-ways aren't a priority, substitute a generic 3-prong "550" flasher. The terminal markings on those are X, L, & P - they require no ground (31) wire. "X" is the ignition-switched power ("15" or "+" in DIN/VW lingo) while "L" is the flashing output to the t'signal switch (49a). "P" is the auxiliary terminal for the indicator lamp in the speedo head (KBl). You can even use a 2-prong generic flasher ("552") if you aren't bothered by the indicator lamp on the dash lighting in alternation to the external signal lamps rather than in unison with them - simply connect the KBl wire to the "L" terminal too.

If you wish to have functional hazard flashers, I strongly recommend upgrading to the late`69-up arrangement that puts the complexity of the 4-ways into the switch, rather than in the early-style compound relay. The 550 flasher is totally compatible with that setup. http://www.vintagebus.com/wiring/Type_1 ... t_1969.jpg

Re: blinker problems

Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2016 9:32 am
by bikesndbugs
so i was looking at my stuff and it appears i have a 550 and a 7 prong relay now when pulling the hazards i get nothing but the light on the dash. when using blinkers all lights will light up but no flash. when it ran it used to only flash when reved up a bit so i tried that and still a solid light im assuming that 550 flasher went out. Is this correct