Turn signal flasher question

[Deleted User]

The flasher unit on my '53 Super Wasp didn't seem to work as it should. When I moved the turn signal lever down (for left turn), the two left front and rear parking lights would flash as they should (the opposite side also worked when the turn signal was moved up (right). However,the small light on the left side of the dash would only blink once or twice and then not at all after that.

Suspecting a bad flasher unit, I removed the old three pronged one and replaced it with a brand new three pronged 6 volt one purchased from Napa. The new flasher causes all four parking lights to light accordingly, but now there's no dash light at all. I suspect that the flasher from Napa isn't quite the same internally as the original Hudson unit. Is there one available out there that would get the dash light to blink along with the parking lights? Thanks for any help here!

Dan

Geoff

What you can do is connect the dashlight to the outputs using 1 amp diodes, with the cathodes (the marked end) connected to the outputs, and the anode to the dashlight. email me if you want more detailed instructions. nzgeoffclark@xtra.co.nz Omit the leading nz from that address.
Geoff

onerare39

Try spraying WD-40 or some kind of contact cleaner in the bulb sockets, and wipe the bulb bases with it too. You can get a small amount of corrosion that will short out the socket contacts which lead to the very problem you are experiencing.

Hope this helps

John

[Deleted User]

I'll first check out the bulb and socket for any possible corrosion per John's suggstion and Geoff's advice seems like it'll do the trick on a more permanent basis. Thanks for the help guys!

Dan

[Deleted User]

Well first of all I would say if the turn signals flash fine for one direction and not the other it cannot be the flasher. The same flasher is used for laft as for right. The differance from one to the other is the switch in the column or as stated bad connections or grounds. Common bad grounds are dirty or corroded lamp bases and light fixture mountings to fenders. Also as I recal the three wire flasher has one wire just for the indicator .Perhaps you misswired the new one?
Roger

[Deleted User]

Roger, I never touched the wires since purchasing this car back in June at Kalamazoo (perhaps a previous owner did, as there were many before I bought this S. Wasp). The dash light works for both directions (though one side better than the other). I'll check the obvious with the bulbs, sockets, and wiring. I just thought that since the old flasher unit worked the dash light, the new one should too, which isn't the case. Thanks for the suggestion!

Dan

[Deleted User]

"Dart", I really don't need to use hand signals as the actual turn lights on the outside of the car work just fine. It's the little light on dash that fails to iluminate with the new three pronged flasher unit purchased from Napa that's bothering me here. If I place the old flasher unit back in I get the dash flasher light to work, but only for two or three flashes and then it's light out!

[Deleted User]

I wonder if the lamp itself is making a good connection. I think its one wire and grounds to the dash, could be loose,
Roger