VERY slow flashers

mahanson57 · Postby **mahanson57** » 19 Jan 2008 02:00

I gotta get this wedge inspected, and the flashers either don't work, or sometimes have a 10 second cycle. The emergency flashers run like a champ. I've tried new Tridon flashers (thermal and electo mechanical)...no joy. What to do?

Yank from Yorkshire

stevie_a · Postby **stevie_a** » 19 Jan 2008 09:15

[url="http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3645&SearchTerms=flasher,relay"]clicky[/url]

If it's not broke don't fix it.

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 20 Jan 2008 01:49

I assume the flasher unit you replaced was the signal unit and not the emergecy unit. (They are not the same.)

The signal light circuit goes through the master light switch which is notorious for corroding. (I'm not sure if hazard does) Clean and grease.

Signal contacts in steering column box may be dirty. Spray contact cleaner in it and work the signal light lever up and down to clean contacts.

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

silverseven · Postby **silverseven** » 20 Jan 2008 02:37

FISpyder, just for the record, (I know you've mentioned before that you are in the process of cleaning all you electrical contacts gradually one by one) which contact cleaner do you recomend ???

Ron.

busheytrader · Postby **busheytrader** » 20 Jan 2008 13:28

Hiya,

The 7 is renowned for slow indicators as it gets older. Cleaning every contact in the circuit, especially those at the front every couple of years keeps on top of it.

At my last MOT the tester deliberately tested the indicators with the engine running as he knows ours cars well enough.

Cheers,

Adam

ngtf · Postby **ngtf** » 20 Jan 2008 16:46

Use an RFL3, or similar, electronic flasher relay, connect light green/slate wire to terminal 49, connect light green/brown to terminal 49a and connect a new black wire from terminal 31 to a permanent earth. This solves the slow flashers, especially at low speed. This solution can also be used on the hazards as well. I have used this solution for about three years and never had an issue with it. For those of you in the TR Register, this solution was supplied by me and published in TRAction some months ago.

I am aware of several others who have also used this method for some time and also report no further issues with slow running of indicators.

Kind regards

Gary

Eeyore rides again !!

EOR14W - Persian Aqua 2L Dhc, Now rebuilt and looking lovely - Sprint engine being prepared!

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 20 Jan 2008 17:26

Flashers are very critical for voltage - so do indeed make sure the engine is running at a fast idle to have the charge going! Also check the correct wattage bulbs are fitted - they should be 21 watt - if someone has fitted low wattage bulbs (or 24Volt bulbs!) then they will be very slow.

jclay (RIP 2018) · Postby **jclay (RIP 2018)** » 20 Jan 2008 19:28

ngtf,

Is this the one you are talking about? I only see two terminals.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">There is a report that the Federal Mogul (Wagner Lighting Division) Electronic Flasher Relay #7216 is a direct replacement for Tridon's EP37 relay. Its ratings are 12VDC, 16 lamp, 2 terminal. It reportedly flashes more rapidly than the Tridon, 90 flashes per minute rather than about 60 for the Tridon. The first time only delay may also be a bit less. Its availability is also much greater. Check out Jon's Page for more on this. The Wagner relay is also listed as a NAPA Auto Parts part number NFL7216, $19.49.

Grote also offers a constant rate flasher, part number 44891, available at NAPA as well. This flasher, however, has an extra ground lead that must be spliced into the bike's wiring.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

colonel bogey · Postby **colonel bogey** » 20 Jan 2008 20:36

I too used the electronic relay method,not had any problems with indicators for a long time now,cheers Gary for that one.

Greg[8D]

'76 TR7 FHC Auto Java Green
"Colonel Bogey"

ngtf · Postby **ngtf** » 20 Jan 2008 20:43

JClay, cant see a picture but the unit I refer to has obviously three terminals hence the need for an extra earth. Here in Blighty it is known as an RFL3 Electronic Flasher Relay. The idea was to find a better solution than the standard TR7 one.

The biggest advantage of this setup is that the indicators flash at the correct rate no matter what the engine speed is. It doesn't even matter if the engine is switched off!!

Check out this website:

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/relays/photo/RFL3.jpg

Gary

Eeyore rides again !!

EOR14W - Persian Aqua 2L Dhc, Now rebuilt and looking lovely - Sprint engine being prepared!

FI Spyder · Postby **FI Spyder** » 21 Jan 2008 02:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by silver7

FISpyder, just for the record, (I know you've mentioned before that you are in the process of cleaning all you electrical contacts gradually one by one) which contact cleaner do you recomend ???

Ron.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I actually use a metal polish (Wicked Peoducts) with a cloth for flat contacts, a little conical brush (bought at Dollar Store) for round and protected contacts. I then flush the gritty polish out with a shot of whatever contact cleaner I have. I then put a thin layer of dielectric grease on and reattach. Might be over kill but I figure do it right the first time and you won't have to do it again. (Big fan of Mike Holmes).

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

mahanson57 · Postby **mahanson57** » 23 Jan 2008 22:31

I just took a look at my hazard switch (based on a comment above)...the thing is pretty banged up and held together with electrical tape. Cleaning the contacts did no good, so I ordered another.

Interestingly...removing the switch altogether DID increase the flash rate...maybe even to where the wedge passes TEXDOT's muster. I was surprised by that; I thought it would just stop working altogether.

Yank from Yorkshire

trphil · Postby **trphil** » 26 Jan 2008 18:51

I'd just like to say thanks to Gary for his tip. The ONLY thing that I've always disliked about my TR7 is the indicators, they've never worked to my satisafaction. Slow if you've only just started the car and not flashing at all if you've got your headlights and windscreen wipers on and heaven forbid if you want to brake and indicate at the same time!

So as soon as I saw this thread I ordered the prescribed unit and fitted it in 15 minutes this morning. The difference it made to my car is unbelievable, so thanks to Gary!

Underdog · Postby **Underdog** » 26 Jan 2008 18:58

I need to study on this thread. I sometimes wonder if my indicators had been flashing faster and brighter that I may have not been rearended. I assume since it is a problem with 7s that TR8s would be the same? Mine go very slow at idle even with a 63amp Delco alternator.

72 MGB BRG
80 TR8 Persian Aqua
If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

ngtf · Postby **ngtf** » 26 Jan 2008 19:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by trphil

I'd just like to say thanks to Gary for his tip. The ONLY thing that I've always disliked about my TR7 is the indicators, they've never worked to my satisafaction. Slow if you've only just started the car and not flashing at all if you've got your headlights and windscreen wipers on and heaven forbid if you want to brake and indicate at the same time!

So as soon as I saw this thread I ordered the prescribed unit and fitted it in 15 minutes this morning. The difference it made to my car is unbelievable, so thanks to Gary!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I am really glad it helped, it's such an easy upgrade that, once I'd done it, I felt compelled to let others know. A complete article was published in TRAction and if anyone wants a copy of the Word document, please let me know and I will pm it to you.

Don't forget, the same solution can be used on the hazard circuit as well.

Kind regards

Gary

Eeyore rides again !!

EOR14W - Persian Aqua 2L Dhc, Now rebuilt and looking lovely - Sprint engine being prepared!

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VERY slow flashers

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