Turn signal on the fritz

[bighealeysource]

Hey all,
My right side turn signals on my BN6 are not working where
the left side is okay. Turn signal flasher unit is clicking
properly when left side is blinking but no clicking when
right side is switched over to at the trafficator. Know it
could be as simple as a bulb but as checking a bulb on
the Lucas signal lights is a pain, thought I would ask for
other opinions before I take the lens off. Know
it will be the other end bulb that is bad after I take
off the opposite lens !
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Legal Bill]

Mike, when you turn on the right turn signal, get out of the car and see if the front or rear light is on.

 

[bob hughes]

Mike

Checking a signal light is not that bad, use a fine bladed screw driver such as an electrical one, and ease the rubber over the chrome plated bezel, whip off the lens using the screw driver if necessary and you are home and dry. replacing lens and bezel is a little harder but use the same principle with the screw driver to ease the rubber back over, working it around the edge of the lens / bezel. Red rubber grease would help lubricate the rubber or pinch some washing up liquid from the kitchen. Depending on the age the rubber, it may have hardened then life becomes a little more difficult, I saw this an an oportunity to change over the rubber while I was at it as I genarally carry spare rubber components where practical - the light boots, exhaust mounts etc.

If the bulbs are OK then go to the relay unit mounted on the front inner fender, I removed the forked cable connections cleaned them all up and cleaned up the terminals and used some petrolium jelly on them when I put them back and my signal problems whent away.

Bob

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey all,
Checked my bulbs and connections at the flasher relay unit and still
do not get the right side lights to flash. Left side works great,
even put in a new flasher unit just to make sure it was not the
culprit. I have to assume it is the flasher relay unit but with one
side working okay not sure that means it's gone bad. Any suggestions
on how to check it before buying a new one for $130.00.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Randy Forbes]

Just as a test, why dont you try swapping the left side wiring for the right?

If the wiring doesn't reach, use some clip-leads (Japanese Jumpers) available at Radio-Shack.

I'd do one end of the car at a time, just to isolate the problem.

Swap the wire on terminal seven (7) for the wire on terminal three (3) to test the rear circuits.

Swap the wire on terminal six (6) for the wire on terminal two (2) for the fronts.

At some point, something will work and something won't. If the problem follows the wiring, then your relay is in the clear; maybe...

You can also isolate the input from the trafficator by swapping terminals four (4) for terminal eight (8).

Only swap one (1) pair of wires at a time, and record the results.

 

[Johnny]

Mike, good advise all. If it's not a loose connection (and it usually is) you can pull the can cover off the relay box and try operating the relays manually,if they are working check the contacts for wear and/or dirt. Sometimes a slight adjustment will extend the life of the relay some.

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey Guys,
I'll try your suggestions out and let you know if it works !!!
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Legal Bill]

I went nuts trying to find the problem on mine. It turned out to be a bad connection between a wire and a female spade. I always chck circuits with a test light before I start replacing things.

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey all,
Just got back from checking on my relay and here's what I have-

Pulled the cover off and the left side contact points are working
properly. The contact barely moves when you click on the trafficator
but makes contact and I get a working left side turn signal.

The right side is a different story. The contact does not move at all
and unless I hold it down to make contact, no working turn signal. No
amount of fooling with it got it to work unless the contact point is held
down.

To make sure all understand what I mean by the contact - there is a small
metal tab that sits between two metal grounding pieces and when the current
is allowed to flow through, the small tab moves down and contacts the bottom
piece. This is probably a very poor way to describe it but don't know how to
draw it out and put in this post.

Bottom line, one side of the relay works fine, other does not move.
Any suggestions ?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[GregW]

Hi Mike,
Do you have the Bentley manual? The problem may just be a cleaning and check the gap of the contacts where you were pushing down. Look on page N16 to see the procedure.

 

[TimK]

Norman Nock's Tech Tips book has a page on adjusting gaps on the relay. I'm in Florida and my book is in Michigan. He sells it for $35 (from British Car Specialists web site)

 

[Johnny]

Mike, sometime ago I wrote an article for the AHCA magazine on just how to do what you are asking. If you like I can email the article to you.

 

[Johnny]

Mike, I sent you an email illustrating how to adjust the air gaps on the flasher relay.