TR2/3/3A 1960 TR3A Flasher

[Dave Sutherland]

This is my first post to this board. I have read many threads that have helped me with my current project - 1960 TR3A. I normally restore Corvettes but a sportscar collection would not be complete without a few classic British cars. Well, here is my problem I hope someone can help me out with. I am in the process of reassembling the TR3A (Frame on restoration) and cannot get the turn signal to work properly. The wiring harness and control head is new. When I activate the turn signal, the flasher unit basically vibrates with the turn signal lights pulsating. The flasher unit is from Moss and is new. I thought it maybe defective so I purchased another one and it does the same thing. I installed the flasher unit on a friends TR and it worked fine. I am puzzled. I tried a bussman 550 flasher and it works but does not light up the dashboard signal indicator.
Any suggestions would greatly appreciated.

[ 04-23-2004: Message edited by: Dave Sutherland ]</p>

 

[piman]

Hello Dave,
if I understand you correctly, pulsating equals a very high flash rate? Is it the same on both sides?
If it is an original type flasher relay the speed of flash is proportional to the current through it. If there is some leakage or direct short to earth (ground) then the unit could flash very quickly. If it is both sides then it must be between the column switch and the flasher relay.

Alec

 

[Dave Sutherland]

Thanks for the reply. Both sides act the same way. The flasher sounds like a buzzer with the lights flickering very rapidly. I'm stumped.

 

[sammyb]

Curiously, I'm a Corvette/Triumph guy too, and I've had problems with my TR3's flasher, as well.
In my case, the lights are fine, but the dash indicator doesn't work. (The signal relay is bad -- no power to the dash indicator prong.)

In your case, I'd also check for a bad ground...maybe you have paint covering a ground wire-to-body connection?


What Corvettes do you own?

 

[Dave Sutherland]

All grounds are good and the dash indicator light is in working order. As to the Corvettes, I have a 1969 427 Tripower convertible and a 1971 350 coupe.

 

[martx-5]

I looked over the wiring diagram, and everything is pretty straight forward. The three prong flasher unit has the middle prong going to the dash indicator light, make sure that's where it's going. If that's OK, then I would try switching the other two wires and see if this changes anything.

[ 04-23-2004: Message edited by: martx-5 ]</p>

 

[sammyb]

Dave,
It's good to see there's another person keeping both a '69 tripower convertible and a TR3 in their stable. While my TR3 is totally stock, my '69 Vette no longer has the solid lifter 427 and tripower(drat!!!) It now has a 498hp 454 bored-out to who knows what. It's faster than an original 435, but I'd trade that engine (and my left you-know-what) for that original engine back. The tripower just looks so cool!

 

[MDCanaday]

A while back I needed a new flasher in my tr4. I purchased a new OTC and it did not work in that the lamp on the dash was lit at all times and only flashed when activated.I tried to get a different brand but they were all made by the same outfit and all behaved alike. finally found a good old lucas unit(off a 61 Jag), put it in and was back to good order. Needless to say, since modern cars no longer use this type of flasher, there is very little quality controll on what is now made.
Go back to the Lucas unit.
MD(mad dog)