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Dash Indicators both flash, BJ8 MkIII

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IanIrving

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The indicators on my 65 BJ8 MkIII don't self cancel consistenly so I want to add a 12v buzzer to the circuit so I can hear when they flash and remember to cancelrather than looking like some old deaf bloke who can't hear the flasher unit. Before starting to install a buzzer I checked the indicators and they work fine in all respects except that both dash indicators lamps flash together for both left and right indication. I've checked earths on the four indicator lights in the body, all are ok and all lamps are bright and flashing at the correct speed etc. The circuit for the dash mounted lamps do not seem to have an earth return. The lamps return to the centre pin on the flasher unit. Should that centre pin (dark brown/green wire ) be earthed? Has anyone had the same problem with both lamps flashing and if so, what was the solution?
Thanks

Ian Irving
 
IanIrving said:
The circuit for the dash mounted lamps do not seem to have an earth return. The lamps return to the centre pin on the flasher unit. Should that centre pin (dark brown/green wire ) be earthed? Has anyone had the same problem with both lamps flashing and if so, what was the solution?
Click to expand...
Hi Ian,
The green/brown wire is the output from the flasher that feeds power to the indicator switch on the steering wheel. The lightgreen/purple wire(s) is(are) the return wire from the two dash lights to the flasher.
On the flasher:
L=green/brown
B=green
P=light green/purple
It sounds like you have two wires hooked up wrong on your flasher. Here is a photo of mine.
 

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Hi Greg
Thanks for the advice and the picture, unfortunately, mine is wired identically to yours except that the flasher unit is labelled L P and X rather than B. It's got to be something wrong with the return connector or maybe the flasher unit is faulty, I'll try to lay my hands on another flasher to see if that makes any difference.
I assume that the return for the dash indicators must be via the case of the flasher unit but it's well grounded.

Ian
 
Hi Tim
Yes I had seen that thread already but it deals with changing to LED indicator bulbs, an electronic flasher unit and on a car converted to negative earth. My car is still positive earth, has incandescent bulbs and a normal bi metal flasher unit. It should not need diodes, the cars never did in my experience until LED lights were introduced. I think I'm getting somewhere though not sure where yet. I thought that because the dash lamps were both flashing regardless of where the indicator switch was that meant they were earthing through just one of them thus the problem must concern the common green /purple wire however if I remove either bulb, the other flashes only as it shoulf, thus it looks to me as if something is crossed at one of the external indicator sockets somewhere, though all work ok and are bright and at the correct flash speed. I'll continue to check tomorrow till I find the cause.
Ian
 
Hi Ian,

I would suggest you try a new Lucas turn signal relay. Make sure you have the wires connected correctly.

If the trafficator does not return to center, then something inside the trafficator may need to be fixed. The large center tab that makes contact with the two triggers, may not be in the correct position. Or the two triggers maybe not be pointing the correct way in the out position. Examples of things to look into.

Here's a link on how to repair the trafficator:
https://www.healey6.com/Technical/Trafficator%20Repair.pdf

Best of luck,
Roger
 
I assume that the return for the dash indicators must be via the case of the flasher unit.

NO Ian, the return circuit for the dash indicators is via the filaments of those indicator lamps.---Fwiw--Keoke
 
Problem resolved for the moment, connecting the light green/purple common return from the dash indicator lamps to earth fixes the problem (ie connecting pin P on the flasher unit to earth.) All indicators work correctly, at full brightness and the correct flash rate and the two dash indicators work correctly at full brightness and with no cross bleed. Looking at the circuit diagram it seems that pin P on the flasher unit must connect internally to case earth and otherwise there's no return to 12V+. It does not do so on the one in my car. I've ordered a replacement flasher unit. When it arrives I'll check it to see if there is an earth connection from case to P. In the meanwhile I'll just leave the earth wire on.

Thanks for all the advice, maybe I should get an electronic flasher instead of the bi metalic unit? Thanks Roger for the link to the traficator repair page, very well written and easy to understand. When I have time I'll have a go at that as well.


Ian
 
IanIrving said:
Problem resolved for the moment, connecting the light green/purple common return from the dash indicator lamps to earth fixes the problem (ie connecting pin P on the flasher unit to earth.) All indicators work correctly, at full brightness and the correct flash rate and the two dash indicators work correctly at full brightness and with no cross bleed. Looking at the circuit diagram it seems that pin P on the flasher unit must connect internally to case earth and otherwise there's no return to 12V+. It does not do so on the one in my car. I've ordered a replacement flasher unit. When it arrives I'll check it to see if there is an earth connection from case to P. In the meanwhile I'll just leave the earth wire on.

Thanks for all the advice, maybe I should get an electronic flasher instead of the bi metalic unit? Thanks Roger for the link to the traficator repair page, very well written and easy to understand. When I have time I'll have a go at that as well.


Ian
Click to expand...
Hi, I know your post was a few years ago but I am having the same issue with my 67 BJ8. Both indicators flash at the same time. Are yours still working ok and was the ground wire from "P" on the flasher unit to ground the solution? Thanks.
 
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