'71 B turn signal flasher removal

[Moose33]

evening all

here's my silly question of the week:
In order to remove my flasher unit (not hazard) it appears as if it is bolted to an area that is only accessible from the engine compartment by removing the absorption canister and then entering through the panel that the canister sits on.. is this correct?

Thanks!

 

[Nunyas]

that's a good question. I've been wanting to change mine but haven't had time to begin to look for it lately...

 

[Banjo]

I might be wrong, but I think the turn signal flasher is on the interior of the firewall up behind the glove box. It should just be tucked into a clip. its a small square metal box. unless it's been replaced with a can type. You could varify it's the right one if your turn signals still work at all. You can hear the "click, click" and if you put your finger on it you can feel it too.

 

[Moose33]

ah. it felt solid when I pulled on it and was afraid that if it too was "stuck" that I'd break it and be in a whole new mess. I can hear the *click*-ing when the left signals are on, but not the right and I believe I have the right unit because if I take off the light green wire it doesn't click anymore when the turn lever is pushed.

on a similar note- the right side comes on and stays on, but when I hit the 4-way switch the right front t/s alternates opposite of the other 3 lights.

 

[Moose33]

Yep- you were right /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif . It's the little rectangular box held in place by a crusty, rusty clip. see, these are the little things that aren't in the Haynes manual that I usually end up breaking so that's why I ask ahead of time.

 

[Banjo]

There might be somthin' wrong with the signal that's working backwards (like a bad ground). but try the flasher first since you're already there. The power for the turn signals runs through the hazard switch (another brilliant manuver by Lucas) and this can cause some strange problems. If the problem changes when you operate the hazard switch a few times then you can gurantee thats where it is.
Also, the flasher operates using the circuit resistance, so if somthing changes that, like a bulb blows, a socket corrodes, a ground is lost, the flasher won't work properly.

Glad I could help.

 

[Moose33]

got out the schematic and traced it out, was a little surprised to see how it all goes together.

At some point in time, prior to my ownership, two wires got reversed on the hazard switch block. Kinda of a pain in the arse to have to pull apart the center console to changed two wires around, but it all works the way it is supposed to now. I learn something new every day.

 

[danmas]

[ QUOTE ]
The power for the turn signals runs through the hazard switch (another brilliant manuver by Lucas) and this can cause some strange problems.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is not just a "Lucas" peculiarity, it is MANDATORY! All cars that use the same bulbs for the turn signals and for the hazard flashers (and this includes most cars) do this. Whatever you do, do NOT defeat this function.