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Wed Jul 25, 2012 7:55 am

Does anyone know what turn signal flasher relays were used in the 356? 356A? Manufacturer? Pictures?
Where can I find documentation on it?

Thanks in advance!

Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:11 am

Zims has them 800-356-2964. NLA has them 800-438-8119. Unless you are converting to LED lights, a good idea by the way, you can probably get them at a local parts store like NAPA or Pep Boys or Kragens or whatever, but I prefer to support 356 vendors like the guys mentioned here.

For converting your signal lights to LED you can try these:
http://www.culayer.com/ which I installed on my C (they are 6 volt). The BA15 they advertise there might work in an A with Beehive if you have them but somebody else will have to help you there - I don't know.

If you convert to LED you'll need a different flasher. Zims and NLA have them. I bought mine from Zims.

SuperBright LED has 1156 and 1157 LEDs but try the 356 vendors above FIRST http://www.superbrightleds.com/

Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:27 am

Bill, I belive you totally missed the point of his question.
He is apparently looking for authenticity information on the ORIGINAL flasher units used in 356 and 356 A.
He is looking for pictures and markings of original units.
Since he is looking for authentic original information, I doubt he is interested at all in going LED, which is totally non-authentic.

Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:55 am

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

Yes, I am looking for information on ORIGINAL turn signal flasher relays.

Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:56 am

Dear SubOval:

If I misled you my sincere apologies. Best of luck on your quest. I might have what is an original 6 volt flasher from a 64 C. If you think that would help you please PM me and I'll search the garage and take photos for you.

I have no proof whatsoever but do, solely as a matter of personal faith, believe that the LED brake lights on our coupe have helped us to maintain the desired authenticity of the rear bumper when it has been closely approached by texting/drinking/reading SUV and truck drivers. But, that is admittedly speculation on my part.

Best

Wed Jul 25, 2012 9:47 am

malibubill wrote: Dear SubOval:

If I misled you my sincere apologies. Best of luck on your quest. I might have what is an original 6 volt flasher from a 64 C. If you think that would help you please PM me and I'll search the garage and take photos for you.

I have no proof whatsoever but do, solely as a matter of personal faith, believe that the LED brake lights on our coupe have helped us to maintain the desired authenticity of the rear bumper when it has been closely approached by texting/drinking/reading SUV and truck drivers. But, that is admittedly speculation on my part.

Best

NP, Bill. All is good. :-)
I am just trying to get some information. Nobody seems to know. :-(

Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:02 am

Found this on Zim's site. Not OEM but is listed for 54 - 65 356 apps, so
perhaps the originals were all the same manufacture. Perhaps Bill can give the pertinent info printed on his original. My old ones were non functional and replaced by the updated units sold by Zims.

http://www.zimsautotechnik.com/acatalog/Turn_Signal_Flasher__6V__356.html#a644_2e613_2e342_2e00

Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:37 am

356JAEGER wrote: Found this on Zim's site. Not OEM but is listed for 54 - 65 356 apps, so
perhaps the originals were all the same manufacture. Perhaps Bill can give the pertinent info printed on his original. My old ones were non functional and replaced by the updated units sold by Zims.

http://www.zimsautotechnik.com/acatalog/Turn_Signal_Flasher__6V__356.html#a644_2e613_2e342_2e00

I'll dig about in the garage and see if I can find it and then photograph it and let someone else verify (or not) its originality. I think I kept the thermal flasher (that arrived when we bought our car in Nov. 2001) when I put the electronic in for the LEDs. Guess I'll find out. It won't happen until Sunday though. Best Joel.

Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:34 pm

Suboval,

I believe my 59 A flasher unit is original or certainly 44 years old. I took a photo some time ago which I attach however apart from K32 and 6v 2x15w
I cannot read the other 2 parts of text. If its of interest I could look tomorrow in the car and advise. Let me know.

Roy

Wed Jul 25, 2012 3:51 pm

The one in my car has similar but not exact printing on it as the one from Zims. I am unsure if it is original or not. This unit is made by Hella.

Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:26 am

Do all of the 356's originally have a socket for the flasher relay?

Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:54 am

Suboval wrote: Do all of the 356's originally have a socket for the flasher relay?

Just a guess, but since these are listed as being for 54 - 65 application the use of a socket would seem likely. Prior to that someone familiar with early cars will have to chime in. Jack ?? What year is your 356 ?

Thu Jul 26, 2012 10:34 am

356JAEGER wrote: Suboval wrote: Do all of the 356's originally have a socket for the flasher relay?

Just a guess, but since these are listed as being for 54 - 65 application the use of a socket would seem likely. Prior to that someone familiar with early cars will have to chime in. Jack ?? What year is your 356 ?

My car is 1953 #51576. I don't know if my setup is original, but it all works properly (i.e., the little red light in the turn signal stalk lights and flashes properly). Mine does NOT have a socket. There are 4 wires as opposed to the typical 3 that are used in later cars. Evidently this is what is required on the earlier cars:
http://porsche356registry.org/356talk/topic.html?p=120401#p120401

Here's an image. The complete part number is Hella 91MS 2x18-20W 6V.

HTH,

Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:02 am

Thanks Jack,
That would appear to verify the change from the wired 4 prong to the 3 prong socket type occurred at the 54 model. The updated one now available is far superior to the originals functionality. You can actually hear it working and it's never erratic in it's behavior. One of the highly recommended upgrades for your car if you drive it.

Thu Jul 26, 2012 11:37 am

Given what is here now I don't think that a pic of mine from a 64 would be of much help (if I can even find it) so I'll spend Sunday fixing the wife's driver instead of looking for and photographing the unit I said I'd do earlier.

Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:03 pm

356JAEGER wrote: Thanks Jack,
That would appear to verify the change from the wired 4 prong to the 3 prong socket type occurred at the 54 model. The updated one now available is far superior to the originals functionality. You can actually hear it working and it's never erratic in it's behavior. One of the highly recommended upgrades for your car if you drive it.

I think if I "upgraded" I'd loose my entertaining little stalk indicator:

Mine makes a nicely audible clicking noise, but, yes, it tends to slow at low idle!

Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:13 pm

Jack,
Most likely the reason for the 4th tang on the flasher. Very nice.

Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:18 pm

Thank you for all of the replies and pictures.
Bill - no worries. I have part of the information I need. Have fun working on your wife's ride.

Next question, were all of the relays originally manufactured by Hella? Any other original manufacturer's used?

Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:53 pm

Gentlemen:

I don't think the issue of socket is settled as my T-1 A did not have one. Instead, a clip held the barrel of a flasher with screw-on connectors.

I had to build wire end adapters for the later 12v can I use currently.

I'll have to check later to see if the original was 3 or 4 pole.

Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:32 pm

The 4th wire on the pre a (and some early t1) supplied an external ground for the flasher can. Later model cans did not require the additional wire. The ground wire appears to be an internal function to the can, not the signal system, as I have fitted 2 or 3 prong cans on many early cars with no loss of function to any lights or systems. It is interesting that the 'new' transistorized units (zims etc) require fitting of a ground wire. 3 prong plug sockets for the can appeared in t1 production, and were used until the end of the 356 production