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MG MGB Technical - Louder Flasher

Anyone recommend a turn signal flasher that I can buy (or build) to add volume to the flasher? The self cancelling system on my 67 GT works about 1/4 of the time and I could use a little reminder that is is on.

BEC Cunha

Bruce - Go to radio shack and get a pizo electric buzzer and connect it between the flsher output and ground for a good loud indication that the flasher is still on. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

If you connect it between the turn flasher output and ground the buzzer will sound all the time. This is because the turn flasher is a 'normally closed' switch and the output is live all the time the ignition is on and the turn signals are not being used.

Connect it between the turn flasher input and output terminals and it will sound in anti-phase with the turn signals when they are on but still be off when the turn signals are off. Observe polarity if required, +ve to the green wire(B) terminal and -ve to the light-green/brown(L) terminal. That definitely works for the 2-terminal flasher unit used from late 67 on. For the earlier 3-terminal flasher try it between the green (B) and green/brown (L) terminals.
Paul Hunt 2

BEC- I wired a flashing white diode, each side, near the stalk of igny/high beam/hazard/brake lights dash center on the 76-80. Never fails to get my attention after a lane change on the freeway!
vem myers

For the 3-terminal flasher, it might be best to connect it between the terminal for the warning lamp and ground.

Dave
Dave O'Neill 2

BEC try AUTO ZONE PEP BOYS etc you may have to try a few before you find the "guy",the one who knows what you want and where it is on the shelf. They do exist and you may find it an easier install. RIC
RIC LLOYD

I was one of those idiots who drove for a mile with the blinkers flashing --- top down and unable to hear the clicker. I installed a mini-switch under the dash that permits me to select the normal blinker (top on) or a Radio Shack beeper (top off).

As I slip deeper into senility, I have depended on alarms to tell me when I turn the key on with the parking brake set; or off with the headlights on.

I have a backup alarm to alert kids and cats that I am in motion where I can't see well. 'Dosen't work on garbage cans, though.
Dan Robinson

Another ploy you might try, even with the "supposedly" louder flasher units is to mount its mounting clip both closer to you, AND onto a small hard plastic box's or tin can's bottom. Leave one end of this box/can open, the end opposite where the flasher is mounted. You would then simply suspend this assembly via a cable tie from a dash brace or other nearby object.

We did this year's ago on an old 53 Chevy PU truck (also rather noisy) and it had the effect of generating a bit louder noise than just depending on the flasher and/or firewall to vibrate enough to be heard. Sometimes, the firewall mounting has a greater tendency to dampen the sound than transmit it.

A buzzer or brite diode will do just as well or better, just depends on what you want to hear/see.
Bob Muenchausen

Bob- I've also found, as the hearing and vision dim with age, that a 40K volt coil, hooked in series, does a nice job of "reminding me" especially when I use the ear lobes as ground. Just never fails, although the convulsions do cause a few steering jerks in my otherwise straightline driving. Cheetos, Vem
vem myers

I have the same problem as BEC and thought the best fix would be to correct the self cancelling component. Am I deluding myself that this is fixable?
Frank

Depends what is wrong, you will have to remove the cowling and see what is and isn't happening. The cancelling fingers on the switch could be broken off or bent, on early cars the fixed peg could be missing, on later cars the movable collar could be missing or in the wrong place.

On mine the cancelling collar on the steering column was just not quite catching on the ends of the plastic fingers of the switch to flip it off, so I built up the shoulders of the collar with solder and it has been fine. I suppose I could have heated and bent the plastic fingers, but I didn't want to risk snapping them off, indicator switches are expensive.
Paul Hunt 2

Thanks Paul for your reply. This is one of those aggravating things that I keep putting off working on, but it is good to know that there is a possible fix. Mine is a 79...is it possible to describe better the "movable collar." I realize when I get in there it may become more obvious but if you have anything to help me better understand prior to the endeavor it would be much appreciated.
Frank

Hi Frank - the movable collar is a short metal cylinder that slides over the end of the steering column. It has a split on one side and a raised area on the other, it is this raised area that catches on the fingers to push the switch back. The collar is a tight sliding fit on the shaft, so it is possible it has got pushed too far up or down the shaft and is missing the fingers.
Paul Hunt 2

Hate to admit it, but trying to "fix" mine is what really fixed it good. I saw that the tabs were not fully touching the post on the steering column, so I put a washer under the post. Raised it just enough to break off the little plastic tabs on the side. Turn system still works fine, it just does not cancel.

$70 through Moss, so for now, I will add a buzzer.
BEC Cunha

This thread was discussed between 25/04/2007 and 03/05/2007

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