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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Indicator Help...

Hi Folks,

Hope the weather isn't stopping all midget endeavours....

Anyway, the off-side (drivers) indicators of my midget seem to be ticking over very slowly, and the near-side (passenger) remain on (no flashing action) when indicating left. I've charged the battery and had a quick play with the wiring but can find anything.

Anyone have ne ideas?

Thanks.
Sam

Hi Sam.Sounds like you have different resistances in the left and right indicator circuits which are upsetting what is probably a tired flasher unit as well.I would replace the old bi-metallic unit with a modern transistorised one,join the live to term 49{Green} the wire from the switch to 49a{Light Green/Brown}and make up a new wire from term 31 to a good earth. A modern flasher unit will give a far more reliable flash rate and is less susceptible to differing resistances side to side.Hope this helps,Regards Steve.
Steve Smith

Yep the flasher unit is either faulty/tired or is the wrong one. Does it improve when the engine is running. or was that how they were with it running!
Bob (robert) Midget Turbo

Good advice so far. Slow flashers are usually a result of poor contacts either in the power wire or the ground. I'd go through all the connections at the lamps and clean them and see if the flash rate improves.
The no flash is symptomatic of an open filiment in one of the lamps, either front or rear. One lamp will be on all the time and the other not on at all. Replace the one that's not on and see what happens. Again, a poor connection at one of the bullet connections can cause the same thing, check and clean.
Bill Young

Thanks Guys - I'll have a go at some of these suggestions. More still welcome.

Bob - have got more problems I'm working through, so havn't started the engine yet.
Sam

In that case then I would not worry too much about the indicators, chances are that the battery is not up to full voltage (Flat) and that would certainly cause the faults you describe. Get other things sorted and then get the battery charged up and the engine running.

It is also a good thing to check the point made by Bill, a duff bulb will cause one side to not flash at all, the slow flash is understandable with the poor battery
Bob (robert) Midget Turbo

Sorry to jump in but I'm having the same problem, but it doesn't seem to be as much of an issue at high revs but slows to nearly a stop when I am stopped at lights. Does this also sound like the flasher unit?
Lisa Drew

Lisa, if you buy one of these (RFL3): http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/relays/flashers.php

I will fit it for you. You wont look back!
Nick

So I've decided to get a new flasher while I can to out rule this option...

It's currently a rectangular 2 pin one...but I will be wanting to add Hazard lights some time in the future SO...

Can I buy and successfully us a 3 pin combined flashed and hazard flasher unit for the indicators until I get round to adding the hazard switch, wiring, etc??

Was think the on Nick recommended - any thoughts?

Thanks again guys.
Sam

Lisa, it sounds like you have an early car with a dynamo instead of an alternator. It's not uncommon for the voltage to drop significantly when the engine idles down with a dynamo. Battery voltage is +12volts, but the average dynamo or alternator puts out around +14volts when they're turning at speed. A 2 volt drop will show up in a slowing of the flasher. The common flasher unit works on heat, the current flow heats up a bimetalic spring contact which bends and snaps the circuit open or closed then when the circuit is open it cools and straightens out again until it makes contact and then the process repeats. Low voltage or high resistance will reduct the current flow and cause the flasher not to heat up as quick or even not enough to flash. That's why when you have one lamp open it doesn't flash, not enough current draw through the remaining lamp to heat up the contact spring. I've even seen systems that would flash slightly faster in the summer than in the cooler weather in winter, took less time for the internal contact to heat up since it was already several degrees warmer to start.
Bill Young

Sam, I had the same in my Mk4 midget last week. 3 pounds later and all lights flashing fine - just needed a new flasher unit.

Originally I swapper out the wrong unit, as the flashers and indicators on my car use the same type of flasher unit - but once I realised that stupid mistake and swapper the correct unit, all was well.
M Andrews

Hi Nick

Will take you up on your offer thanks, going around the bend at the moment listening to the tick of the indicators and how they vary - bit like chinese water torcher.
L Drew

This thread was discussed between 21/08/2008 and 25/08/2008

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