Turn Signal Unit (aftermarket)
I have an aftermarket (7 wire) turn signal unit installed. The in-line fuse is good. And I just put in a new flasher unit.
I have good rear parking lights and brake lights.
When I turn the signal on, I lose the brake light and it does not flash. I know this unit uses the brake light as the turn signal and interputs the brake light circuit.
Is this a bad NEW flasher or other problem? Old flasher unit was bad and blocked brake lights.
Thanks...............................Ed
I have good rear parking lights and brake lights.
When I turn the signal on, I lose the brake light and it does not flash. I know this unit uses the brake light as the turn signal and interputs the brake light circuit.
Is this a bad NEW flasher or other problem? Old flasher unit was bad and blocked brake lights.
Thanks...............................Ed
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Comments
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Could be the way you've wired the aftermarket switch, possibly.
Before we go any further, didn't you say before, that the turnsignal switch was installed but the flasher didn't flash? Had you had the original Hudson switch installed, and then replaced it with an aftermarket one just now?
Point is, we can assume that the original Hudson t.s. switch (if that's what you had) would have been wired correctly, unless some wires had broken or been removed. If the NEW aftermarket switch causes problems, then we can assume it's either defective, it won't work with a Hudson, or you've wired it incorrectly. So if worse comes to worse, you might re-install the old Hudson t.s. switch.
The Hudson switches seldom fail, I think, no matter how old. I salvaged one from a junkyard '52 or '53 Wasp, back in the late 1970's and installed it on my '37. It was old then, and it's now 54 years old, and workes just fine. The flashers themselves, will need to be replaced from time to time of course.
For the time being, let's consider the new switch you've installed. When the brakes are OFF, does it work? That is to say, do both the left brakelight and parking light blink in unison when you push the lever down? Do the right brakelight and parking light blink in unison when you lift the lever? If so, then we've isolated the problem to the brakelight connections, at least!
You said that the brakelights work fine, when you step on the pedal, correct?
Once we determine your answer to these questions we can proceed to troubleshoot this problem.0 -
Jon B wrote:Could be the way you've wired the aftermarket switch, possibly.
I am sorry I have caused some confusion. The switch was installed by the first owner (and worked I am told).
Jon B wrote:
Before we go any further, didn't you say before, that the turnsignal switch was installed but the flasher didn't flash? Had you had the original Hudson switch installed, and then replaced it with an aftermarket one just now?
Correct, the old flasher was not working. I tested the flasher unit with 6V @ 2 Amps with a small battery charger/tester. I got no clicking. I have not replaced the switch, just the flasher unit.
I also did not get Brake lights when pedal is pushed with old flasher installed.
Now with new flasher I have brake lights.
Jon B wrote:When the brakes are OFF, does it work? That is to say, do both the left brakelight and parking light blink in unison when you push the lever down? Do the right brakelight and parking light blink in unison when you lift the lever? If so, then we've isolated the problem to the brakelight connections, at least!
With brake light off (pedal not pressed), I have no turn signal. When the brake pedal is pressed and I use the signal, the light goes out. Put signal to off, brake light comes back.
Remember this is a Pacemaker that did NOT have wiring for turn signals, so the switch kit installed uses the brake light circuit.0 -
Yup, same type of switch as mine (only one socket, so bright filament doubles and brake and signal light).
I am not going to pretend to be an electrical expert so I invite anyone to jump in here. My remarks are based on (hopefully non-faulty) logic, so here goes:
First, you mention that the aftermarket switch has SEVEN wires. I believe the original Hudson switch (for the single-bulb taillights) has SIX. Possibly the previous owner hooked his up incorrectly. Do you have any reason to believe that he ever had the lights operating correctly? If incorrectly hooked up, this could be the root of your troubles.
Second, do you have the ignition turned on when trying the turn signals? That is how it is designed to work, though (again!) with an aftermarket unit it's anyone's guess as to how it's connected.
You SHOULD have turnsignals when you DON'T have the brakes depressed and engage the turnsignal switch. The circuit would bypass the brakes entirely in this instance. Though again, I am going from how the original Hudson switch would have worked....
When you hit the brakes you should have brakelights, regardless of whether or not you have a functioning blinker. With the turnsignal switch not engaged, the brakelight circuit completely bypasses the blinker. Once again, possibly the aftermarket turnsignal switch does this differently from the factory Hudson t.s. switch.
Another question: which blinker did you use? There are several 6-volt blinkers out there, and I believe each is geared to a certain amperage passing through it. Without bulbs of a sufficient aperage they won't blink. And if one of the lights is burned out it won't work either, since there isn't enough amperage to make it hot enough to blink. Possibly you are using the wrong blinker.
Well, I've asked enough questions. Perhaps when you are able to answer them we can pinpoint the problem.....then again, maybe not!!0 -
I found this turn signal unit trouble shooting procedure on a Chevy Truck site.
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/turn_signal.htm0 -
Ed, I ran an article (with wiring diagrams) about both types of Hudson turnsignals (the 3-wire and the 6-wire) in our local Hudson newsletter some years ago. If you will send me your e-mail address I'll forward you a PDF copy. I warn you, however...this was for the Hudson factory turnsignal switch, not for the any sort of aftermarket switch. But maybe it would help.
I'm at HETdetailed@verizon.net -- delete the HET before sending.
--Jon Battle0 -
Thanks to all. I was speaking with my father-in-law and mentioned the problem. Since I have brake lights with the new 535 flasher (did not with the old 229D), and I lose the brake light when I flip the switch, we are targeting the contacts int eh switch unit on the steering column.0
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here is the diagram for 7 wire switches. this is for signal-stat 7 wire but i imagine they are all pretty similar- left front, left rear, right front, right rear, load, pilot and brake switch wire. if you dont have a signal stat i recommend it highly, get the model 900. they run for about $120 aus or maybe you could find one in a heavy truck at a wrecking yard0
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I doubt that the 2 amp charger is enough to heat the flasher unit enough for it to switch. Try testing it with a 6 volt car battery. From your description of the rear light function, it sounds like it's probably wired correctly, maybe just a bad flasher? Good Luck.0
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half baked wrote:here is the diagram for 7 wire switches.
SuperDave wrote:I doubt that the 2 amp charger is enough to heat the flasher unit enough for it to switch. Try testing it with a 6 volt car battery. From your description of the rear light function, it sounds like it's probably wired correctly, maybe just a bad flasher? Good Luck.
The figure posted above nearly matches the new switch I got from E-bay for $30.00. My new switch leave out the brake light circuit.
I did more testing and the flasher is good. It was the switch in the unit itself. Since it was a sealed switch, I could not do anyting except get a new unit.
I am going to install additional wiring to the tail light assemblies and a second bulb holder for the turn signal. I will upgrade the front bulb to a dual element. This will put the main wiring back to near OEM as far as the brakes are concerned.0
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