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new blinker relay, new oddity, now new issues!!!!
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hiram6
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:10 am    Post subject: new blinker relay, new oddity, now new issues!!!! Reply with quote

So I'm doing a "driveabout" in the camper the last few days, logging over 1500 miles in 4 days, idea was to spend no more than 25% of my time on interstates, and eat at no franchise restaurants. Great fun!!

The Vanagon performed flawlessly, well almost. Somewhere in Texas, I lost a bumper end, I thnk to a tire tread. And then, somewhere near New Orleans, my turn signals stopped working. Hey, no problem, $12.95 later at an auto parts store I've got a new blinker relay, and I have turn signals again. What's new is, the indicator light in my dash works differently now. I'm talking about the little green light in the center idiot light stack of my instrument cluster.

Before, it just flashed brightly when the turn signals flashed, that's it. Otherwise, it was dark.


Now it flashes brightly with turn signals, same as before, but now it glows dimly all the time the ignition is on.

Anyone seen this before? Is this a problem, or is this how it's supposed to work?
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Last edited by hiram6 on Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:48 pm; edited 1 time in total
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morymob
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is the replacement round , as i replaced mine in my westy with the same end results,gonna leave for now and see if works ok otherwise.
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hiram6
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hmmm, the one that failed was round, and was a NAPA brand. The replacement is square, and came from Advance Auto.
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1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.
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Terry Kay
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 5:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Perhaps the made in Bombay turn signal flasher you picked up at Advanced Auto has a sticking contact--not opening up / turning off all the way.

Stick another flasher in the Van and see what happens.
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hiram6
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 1:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Terry Kay wrote:
Perhaps the made in Bombay turn signal flasher you picked up at Advanced Auto has a sticking contact--not opening up / turning off all the way.

Stick another flasher in the Van and see what happens.


I will try another flasher, as i do suspect the new one is defective. Just a few hours ago, i noticed a new symptom, a faint buzzing, yep, it's the new flasher relay.

The other part of your answer I must contradict--New flasher made by Tridon Stant, manufactured in Springfield TN, in other words made right here in the USA. Yep, we can make crap here too. Laughing Laughing

Old flasher was manufactured by Echlin for NAPA, labeled on the bottom of the flasher as "made in Mexico" Until it gave up the ghost after who knows how many miles it worked perfectly.
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1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.
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Terry Kay
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

HD Signal Stat is my flasher of choice.

Electronic HD flasher's are another excellent choice.
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hiram6
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Latest update on this, and a new set of problems.

I sourced a "heavy duty flasher" relay from NAPA exactly like the one that had been working for years, put it in the correct slot, and hit the emergency flasher button to test it. Parking lights came on but no flash. Then POP, I blew the turn signal fuse, which is a new symptom. Replaced the fuse, testing the theory that it was just a weak fuse, immediately blew as soon as I hit the hazard button. Repeated tis test again using a new fuse, and the turn signal instead of the hazard button, and pooped the fuse again. So, it seems I have a short somewhere. Any advice on where to start looking first? I hate tracking down electrical problems!!!! Evil or Very Mad
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1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.
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mr_vanagon
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Start by looking for crud in the front turn signal bulb holders. I've found trouble there in the past. Then check the rear bulb holders.
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Terry Kay
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Then check out the front turn signal bulbs.

One of the turn signal filament's could have dropped onto the light circuit filament, and is shorting---OR make sure you have a dual filament bulb in the front bulb holder socket.

A single filament bulb in this location will blow fuses no matter what you do.


Just had a customer do this---
He orders a set of rear bright bulbs, sticks the back bulbs in the front bulb holder's --and bang, bang, bang.

Check the front bulbs out first, it's a simple discovery motion.
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morymob
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just started driving my syncro again and my left blinker not working then blew fuse,rt ok. Checked light housing and half full of water and a ugly bulb holder. Drilled a 1/16 hole in lowest part to drain any future seepage on both front signal assys, now to get a new bulb holder.
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Terry Kay
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It could very well be the bulb holder too--

Something is shorting out in the TS/parking lamp circuit,, and it's just gonna be a process of elimination to locate it.

The front turn signal boots are a water holding area--
I goop the boots up with di-electric grease prior to shoving them onto the back end of the sockets.

This seems to ward off any moisture from getting in there.

If you need new sockets I have them, as well as one real nice used one--perfect.
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