Indicators dim and slow

[markymark]

Hi All,
I’ve finally got my P5B Coupe out for the nice weather. Unfortunately I have a problem with the indicators. They are very very dim. You need to look hard at the lenses to see the flash. They’re also slower.
All bulbs are good and all light up. Bulb sockets look clean too. Inspection of the wiring and the earth point on inner front wing shows nothing obvious. The car has not seen any rain for more than 10 years and is garaged so corrosion while possible is less likely.
I’ve popped open the instrument cluster and I’m getting 12.5v (engine off) at the flasher module. Hmmm….
It’s the one with two spade connectors which I think is correct for my 1970 model. It’s marked Lucas 8FL12V Type 41.
My next step is to swap out the flasher module, but wondered if any of you had any ideas about other things to try? Or a way to test the flasher module?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

[johnwp5bcoupe]

Hi Mark my indicators always ran slow since 1973 changing the relay made no difference so last year I fitted led's all over the car so I fitted an electronic flasher that works with either type bulbs. I fitted it in the same place as the original and it has the click sound a normal :-) FLASHER RELAY I used this one but there are loads to choose from.

[markymark]

Thanks John. I guess I’m more worried about the indicators being so dim. Indicates a high resistance somewhere. No sure that such a fault could come from the flasher relay….

[Phil Nottingham]

It is often the flasher relay but the indicator switch contacts may be burnt. You need to test the voltage at the switch and its bullet connectors under the column which can corrode through water seepage through the screen

[enigmas]

Having sorted Mike Hancock's P5B Saloon "Winston" a while back for virtually "every" conceivable non functioning electrical circuit, with the exception of the ignition switch, it was found that the root cause for 90% of the system failures, were due to poor earth/ground connections between the separately bolted body panels.

Although there may be a clean and seemingly good earth on a specific panel, unless that panel connects positively to the one it bolts to, (bare metal to bare metal at some specific point) then the ground/earth connection is compromised (high resistance.)

To enable viable earths, either remove several panel fixing bolts and clean both the bolt/nut/washers and the panel on either side to bright metal or drill several 1/8" holes through the connecting panels and fit several self-tapping screws.

It's also a good idea to fit short lengths of heavy gauge wire between the various panels of the car using using electrical terminals and self-tapping screws. Do this also between the front chassis and the monocoque or main body of the car.

All connections need to be to clean, bright steel, so you'll need to scratch paint from panels at specific points. Once it's all done, check the grounds for consistency across all the body areas with a multimeter. I think you'll find that all the electrical systems will now work much better.

[johnwp5bcoupe]

May 2, 2022 12:42:23 GMT markymark said:

Thanks John. I guess I’m more worried about the indicators being so dim. Indicates a high resistance somewhere. No sure that such a fault could come from the flasher relay….

My indicators were bright enough Mark it may be as the guys point out a bad earth? If the car was on tick over the indicators were slow if I revved the engine they were reasonable!

[markymark]

Hi All,
He problem was the flasher relay. Swapped it out and have nice bright indicators again.
Thanks for the advice….

Mark