 
     |
| Why would flasher break? (Page 1/1) |
|
Cliff Pennock
|
JUN 17, 01:30 PM
|
|
About two weeks ago, my turn signals blinked really fast and very dim. So I replaced the flasher with the one from the emergency lights and that fixed the problem. Ordered a new flasher (EFL552) online and used that for the emergency lights. Now, two days later, the emergency lights have develop the exact same problems as my turn signals earlier. So blinking fast and very dim.
So what could be causing the flashers to fail?
|
|
|
|
fierosound
|
JUN 17, 01:46 PM
|
|
|
|
|
theogre
|
JUN 17, 04:20 PM
|
|
Sneak Path is mainly iffy/bad grounds anywhere.
Like Often for turn/brake lights is front, back or both bulbs w/ iffy connection w/ ground in the sockets.
Most times this cause no or slow blinking.
Most times 1 or more bulbs light Both filaments when only 1 should be on. Just pop the sockets out to look at the bulbs. (Front turn/park sockets twist and pull out from rear but need HL up to get access.)
Fast blinking w/ old cars is often a Short somewhere. Thermal Flasher blink faster as load is at max bulb count or higher then design spec.
Can be anywhere but does it happen for both sides?
If true should reduce the short to common areas...
Examples:
Flash can to column switch wiring.
Column switch is bad or crap in it shorting out.
Unplug C500 and see if still fast blinks. it shouldn't blink at all because too low amps to blink even w/ many new "solid state" flashers.
Unplug C100 to front and try again. (low & inboard of brake MC & booster) Leave C500 unplug. If still fast blinks the short is in cabin wiring.
Dash bulbs, their sockets, and dash "Board" on back of gauge set can short out.
LED "bulbs" can short internally if you have "upgraded" to them.
But both of these only short one side most times.
Note: Often harder to impossible to find thermal flasher in many stores now. Flasher Makers have stopped making most numbers and new "electronic" replacement handle 2 to 20 standard bulbs.
Fiero and most cars has 2 numbers for flashers from the car factory because turn light less bulbs then hazard does. Now you often only need 1 number to replace them.
Could be old flashers died but need to check for shorts and iffy grounds in sneak path page.------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)
The Ogre's Fiero Cave
|
|
|
|
theogre
|
JUN 17, 07:46 PM
|
|
"Why would flasher break?"
Beside problems above, they can "wear out" but uncommon to have two or more of same problem in a short time.
OE and Aftermarket Thermal units are literally that... Has a heater in series w/ bulb loads to heat cycle a bi-metal switch. They can simple wear out but most take Decades to do so.
New "electronic" ones varies just how they are made.
Tridon (has a new owner w/ new branding) make many flashers and used by many car brand has switch to "electronic" type that just uses a relay and a cap.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3247402A/en
Is a very old design (Patent applied in 1963) but likely cost a lot more to make then thermal ones.
Tridon/NOVITA (Now a division of OSRAM SYLVANIA) EL12 can handle 1 - 10 bulbs.
Others are more complicated like Blazer FL32. (Can flash 1 - 12 bulbs.)
No matter what type they are... Plastic shells Can Not use many Mounting Clips holding old Metal shells to anything. Many have teeth and Most are to strong and break or warp the plastic like this...
 [This message has been edited by theogre (edited 06-17-2020).]
|
|
|
|
Mike in Sydney
|
JUN 17, 08:06 PM
|
|
Cliff, Do you have LED's in the turn signals. If so, you may need ballast resistors to get the flasher to work correctly. Alternatively, you can try the non-load sensitive electronic flashers if you have LEDs.
If you don't have LEDs, try the flashers from NARVA. I think you can find them in Europe. They are more expensive than the TRIDONs in Australia but I've had good experience with them. Also, When you replace the flasher, be mindful of where it's mounted. Until I relocated them, I used to catch the flasher with a shoe or shoelace getting out of the car. (Yeah, I know it's hard to believe but at my age, I kinda have to roll out of the car or pivot in the seat to get my arthritic knees out.) I messed up a couple of cheap flashers until I changed to the more expensive NARVA units and relocated the mounting point. ------------------
Mike in Sydney
|
|
|
|
Cliff Pennock
|
JUN 18, 02:42 AM
|
|
Perhaps I needed to clarify that my turn signals work perfectly. If I switch the flashers, then turn signals don't work but emergency lights do work. So it's definitely the flasher that's broken.
|
|
|
|
Mike in Sydney
|
JUN 18, 08:19 AM
|
|
My bad. Try the flashers from NARVA. I think you can find them in Europe. I've had good experience with them. When you replace the flasher, be mindful of where it's mounted.
------------------
Mike in Sydney
|
|
|
|
