Blinker Indicator (not functioning)

[Class_gas]

My '66 Beetle was restored & converted to 12 volt by the PO.

All lights work perfectly but the blinker indicator will only flash when the emergency switch is engaged. So I know the bulb works & it's getting power. It will not function at all when the turn signals are engaged.

Could it be the relay is bad?

Would it have anything to do with the fact that the turn signal switch/arm is loose on the column? When pressed too hard up or down the whole mechanism rotates on the column a little.

When the switch/arm is engaged to either the left or right signal it only clicks once. When returning the switch/arm to the off position it does not click.

Advice & recommendations appreciated!

[KTPhil]

First of all, you need to adjust and tighten the switch on the column. With the wrong gap and clocking, you can break it internally.
You want maybe 4mm gap between the steering wheel and the switch. Make sure you tighten it with the steering wheel level and also the switch arm level.

You tighten the switch to the column with that single screw that is probably on the left side of the switch.

Once this is done, please send photos of the relay(s) used on the other side of the dash. There are several ways to wire it, so before we condemn an expensive 9-pin box maybe it's something else.

[mukluk]

Just a note, the correct gap spec is 2.0 to 2.5mm for the turn signal switch to steering wheel.
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[glutamodo]

Well, the Workshop manual says 1 to 2 mm...

Now, if the turn switch isn't staying put on the column tube I hope it's not because the "contact plate" at the end of the switch's set-screw is missing. If it is, it will gouge the hell out of the tube! A few examples of switches having the contact plate intact:

Now, the 9-terminal relay has a dedicated contact for the dash warning light. I think it's odd that it works for E-flashers and not for turn signals, but a way to make the turn signals work again is to relocate that wire from kBl to a 49a (you'd need a "piggyback adapter to do this)
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Andy T.


IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox.

[Class_gas]

[glutamodo]

Yes, that is exactly how VW wired it when they changed from a 4 to 3 terminal flashers in 1963 and again in 1971-2.


(Terminal "S" , going out to the Switch, is the same as DIN terminal 49a used later on)

What happens Is the dash light ends up grounding through the fairly low resistance of the turn bulbs - so the dash bulb lights up opposite of the fender lights.
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Andy T.


IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox.

[Class_gas]

[mukluk]

[glutamodo]

Yeah, that's the 61-65 book. However this is a 66 model and I was referencing a 66-68 Book. Not that it really matters that much as all the bits are about the same.
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Andy T.


IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox.

[Class_gas]

So I'm learning that this is a common problem when an aftermarket steering wheel is installed. Anyone out there know of a fix or workaround?
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1966 Beetle, daily driver.

Former love affairs- '65, '69, '74 Beetle, '74 Thing, '78 Westy.