Turn Signal Indicators always on?

[sclebo05]

Quick question: My turn signal indicators are always on with the car running. They do flash when I turn, and all 4 signals work properly. I have a new Hazard switch, this was also occuring with the old one. Is this normal behavior?

[seabeelt]

Nope, not proper. Sounds like the wires are incorrectly connected on the hazard switch and/or you have a bad ground somewhere in the circuit
R/

[sclebo05]

One thing I've noticed is that the indicator is on from the moment the key is turned, and only goes off when the turn signals or hazard buttons are pressed, then it flashes as normal. I'm surprised it's on from the get-go.

Can anyone verify if the indicator is on during/after start, and then goes out in a similar manner to the seatbelt light? Is it on a timed relay?

[spider2081]

I would first check the wire connections on the flasher. If you think they are ok then try another flasher. The turn indicator light in the speedometer is intermittently powered by the flasher.
I purchased a flasher from Auto Zone and it didn't work. They would not take it back because its an electrical part. So I got one from one of our Fiat suppliers. Fixed my problem

[sclebo05]

Heh, swapped it with a flasher from my '75, and now they aren't on all the time. However, I did notice that they only blink once now. I'll keep digging...

[vandor]

There were some flashers that did that, even tho there were the '550' series, which is correct for the Spider. Switch to a different brand and it should go off.

[sclebo05]

I did notice a silver cylinder type, with '550' on the housing. I ordered a replacement from IAP, and it arrived today. It's a black cube, looks nothing like the 550. Any mounting tips?

[spider2081]

Before mounting does it work properly when plugged in?
I haven't seen the cube type flasher. To mount relay's with out brackets I use product sold for securing wire bundles to flat surfaces with tie wraps. It is a 1 inch self adhesive square with a hole for a tie wrap. I stick it to the relay and then tie wrap the relay to a wire bundle. here is a link with a photo

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/aircraft/i ... mb-3a.html

[sclebo05]

Yeah the black cube doesn't work at all. Nothing.

Checked grounds again, they look OK to me. I actually re-crimpted and extended the trunk ground all the way to the negative side of the battery and WHOA are my rear lights bright now!

The silver 550 from my '81 has the indicators on all the time, blink when engaged
The silver 550 from my '75 isn't on all the time, but when I flick the switch, it only blinks once

On both of the above the actual turn signals work fine. The 2nd option is preferrable at this point.

[spider2081]

Sure is strange.
At the flasher:
dark blue wire should be powered from fuse A when the hazard switch is in the signal light position.
Light blue/white wire goes to the signal light indicator only. It passes through C22 11 pin and C26 5 pin connectors to the speedometer. When removed from the flasher there should be no power on this wire. C22 and C26 are behind the instrument cluster.
Violet wire is to the signal light switch and hazard light switch. Should have no power on it when disconnected from the flasher.

Do your dash lights change anything with the signal indicator??

[sclebo05]

Wow, I was testing with 3 different flashers, and all 3 were bad.

Black cube from vendor did nothing
First 550 cylinder caused indicators to be on all the time
Second 550 cylinder only blinked once

Happened to be at a parts store and found an old 550 style flasher for $4. Tried it and everything now works properly. Odd.

Thanks to the group for helping me troubleshoot.

[spider2081]

Good to hear problem is solved
I believe there is something special or different about the flashers used in our cars.
I have been troubleshooting electrical systems for over 40 years. Substituting one bad part for another is one of the most difficult problems to find a way through. Even new electrical parts can be bad out of the box.
I have mentioned here before I purchased a signal light flasher from Auto Zone and it did not work. They would not let me return it because it was an electrical component and their policy is no returns on electrical parts.