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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Indicators slow

Hi

The indicators on my 79 1500 midget are slow!! Both work, but both very slow and different times.

The Indicator switch was replaced last year, is it that again? Hope not at 50-60 quid a go!

Could it be a flasher unit? If so, what's the diff between a 2 & 3 pin? What would I need in a 1500 79 midget?

Many thanks

bk dyson

More likely a poor earth connection. There is a number of black wire connections from the wiring loom to bolts to provide earth points. They may benefit from a clean. I think the nearest one for the indicators is a connection on the front inner wing near to the carb air inlet tubes. You could also check the bulb holders are clean
Guy

yeah, differenet speeds would 'indicate' its not the flasher unit. (excuse the pun)

Whats the hazard warning switch do?

Earth sounds v probable. It seems that nearly all electrical faults on these cars start with poor earth connections. That would be my first starting point.

C

C L Carter

Traditional old flashers used a bimetalic strip to make them work and the rate they flashed was dependant on how much power was going through them. More watts it heated up quicker and so it opened up faster. So if it's slow then either low wattage globes or one globe isn't working. Different speeds means the total wattage on the left is different to the right. So have a look and something won't be flashing or not very brightly. As said probably an earth or bad connection. This type of flasher is good for letting you know when you have a problem. A newer electonic flsher works at the same speed regardless but then the downside is you don't know if the globes are flashing. Usually only 2 pin flasher required. The three pin flasher is used when there is only one pilot lighht in the dash and the third pin (P) is used to power that light. Most cars the respective pilot light is just connected to the indicators on that side so only 2 terminal flasher is needed. You can use a 3 terminal flasher instaed of a 2 but only connect X (power) and L (load or light).
Greg H

if you've got original flaser units hold on to them modern replacements I've found to be very poor and have had to replace them with s/h units so it shows the original units are very long lasting

check earths as said plus all other conections make sure they are all clean secure and protected - just taking a spade connector off and on a few times can help clean the connection and you can tell how tight it fits

particularly check all the connections on the flasher and hazard units, on front and rear indicator bulb units, bullet connectors, earth connectioms and bulb and bulb holders - all easy stuff just check all are clean, secure and protected

as you're having other electrical problems something that can easily be overlooked is the battery discharging with all the diagnostic work

check the electrode level in every part of the battery and top up with distilled water if required then fully charge your battery with a battery charger until full - this will help with your future diagnostic

checking the battery is covered in the Driver's Handbook :)

ETA: Greg posted whilst I was typing
Nigel Atkins

Brad

I'd first fix the issues causing your problem then change to an electronic unit. I changed mine recently for a 3 pin unit, this requires the addition of an earth wire or use one of the 2 pin electronic units, I haven’t tried these so can't vouch for them.

My indicators would work unit I stopped at a junction, they'd then go very slow, about 1 flash every 3 or 4 seconds, with the electronic unit it works perfectly

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320816188493?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Upgrade-2-Pin-ELECTRONIC-Flasher-Relay-CLASSIC-MINI-/150653083411?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item23139f9f13

Bob
R.A Davis

This thread was discussed between 03/01/2012 and 04/01/2012

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