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indicators flashing fast!!
gregf27 - 2/6/08 at 08:05 PM

Any ideas as to why all of a sudden the indicators on my F27 have speeded up ??, seem to flash faster on the offside than the nearside - bulbs are all ok, would the flasher relay be on its way out??
dodgy earth maybe?
was ok before I did my pinto to xe engine swap ( only had to wire in an electric fuel pump)
any decent ideas welcomed!!!
Greg

austin man - 2/6/08 at 08:16 PM

have you checked the side repeater bulbs? fast flashing is noramlly associated with the bulbs

mookaloid - 2/6/08 at 08:18 PM

could be a bit of corrosion in one of the bulb holders or one of the bulbs is going faulty - had this on my tin top - just swapped bulbs till I found the dodgy one

gregf27 - 2/6/08 at 08:23 PM

Cheers,
will have a play about tomorrow eve
will let you know what happens

hoots_min - 2/6/08 at 08:24 PM

Got the same problem on mine but think this is due to the fact that it was orignally wired to have 3 lights in total and I only have 2 connected. Higher flash rates are usually associated with a broken bulb therefore More current is being used by the circuit allowing the capacitor to charge up quicker. Answer is to install additional indicators or put in a different flasher unit.

02GF74 - You are correct, I have changed the description above. The less resistance due to the reduced no of bulbs means more current (V=IR). And your description stands.
Sorry about the typo.

[Edited on 5/6/08 by hoots_min]

02GF74 - 3/6/08 at 11:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by hoots_min
Got the same problem on mine but think this is due to the fact that it was orignally wired to have 3 lights in total and I only have 2 connected. Higher flash rates are usually associated with a broken bulb therefore less current is being used by the circuit allowing the capacitor to charge up quicker. Answer is to install additional indicators or put in a different flasher unit.


I am gonna have to disagree.

The flasher unit contains a bi-metallic strip that is heated with a heater - the current through the heater is governed by the bulbs (wired in parrallel). When hot enough, the bimettalc strip bends to break contact and lamps go off. It cools down, contact is remade, lamps on and process repeats.

Reduce the current, the heater takes longer to heat the strip so it would take longer to open, if at all as there may not be enough heat to cause the strip to break the circuit.

The latter situaiton is used to indicate the flasher is not working with the telltale lamp reaminaing on and the working lamps on. (I get this on the LR due to bulb holder corrosion once in a while)

So back to the original question.

If the flash rate has speeded up, then either the unit has developed a fault or there is some additional current drain in the circuit.

This ofcrouse assumes the unit is a bimetallic strip type and not electronic. The flash rate of electronic units is independent of the current load.

Swap the unit with a known working unit of the same type to further narrow down the fault.

[Edited on 3/6/08 by 02GF74]

gregf27 - 4/6/08 at 10:23 PM

swopped the ford flasher relay for a vauxhall one , and all is well!
both sides flash at the same rate now
- must be because I fitted the XE engine
thanks for the replies guys
Greg