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MG TD TF 1500 - Traffic indicator problem.

I have installed a set of traffic indicator lights on my 1951 TD. I am using separate lights which do not require a control box. I have connected all of the wires which I believe correctly having checked them numerous times. I have connected the flasher can with the "X' terminal to the green wire, the "P" terminal to the light green wire and the "L" terminal to the green/brown wire.

The wires to the switch are correctly installed that is green/blue and green/yellow to the right and left hand terminals and the green wire to the centre terminal.

My problem is the indicators flash on either side as they should except when I connect the direction indicator warning light it flashes on each side but in the off mode it continues to flash albeit not as bright.

What am I doing wrong? I am at a stage where I can't see the trees for the forest.

I have changed the flasher can but it doesn't make any difference.

I would appreciate any thoughts you may have. John...Sydney
John Walton

Check your grounds for good clean connection. Sounds like the circuit is trying to ground.
...CR
C.R. Tyrell

John,

I believe you have the flasher wired incorrectly. The X terminal should go to the dash indicator light and the P terminal should go to the 12 volt supply, with the L terminal going to the common pole on your switch.

If I have interpreted your description correctly, I believe you have the X and P wires on the flasher can reversed.
LD Palmer

B or X is base/feed
L is lamps via switch
P is pilot or indicator

is how I remember it

try an old fashioned tin can flasher
mog

I should know better than to answer early in the morning. Mog is correct. Ignore what I said earlier.
LD Palmer

Thank you for your replies I will try again today.
John
John Walton

John, It's probably more helpful to quote where each wire goes, rather than to say which color wire goes where.
LD Palmer


1) The green wire which is a live wire goes from a fuse connection on the control box to the "X" terminal on the flash can.
2) The light green wire goes from the "P" terminal of the flash can to the direction warning indicator light.
3) The green/brown wire goes from the "L" terminal of the flasher can to the switch.

My gut feeling is that the earth may be suspect. Although, I have checked the continuity of the earth wire it may not be a good clean connection.

John...Sydney
John Walton

John: This is a laugh. I'm working on exactly the same project and have pretty well the same problem... I'm installing traffic turn indicators (and like you no relays). But they're not working at the front... and the parking lamp bulb is not illuminating any more either. I set up a new ground (earth)for all the front lamps and I suspect this is what's wrong with the circuit. I'll let you know if/how I resolve my circuit, meanwhile I'll follow this thread to see how you sort yours. --Peter
Peter Pope

Peter,

The problem I have is not on my TD but on a friends TD who lives up the road from me.

I did have a problem when I put indicators on mine to the point where I thought I may have needed help from a physiatrist. Fortunately, I found the reason and it was an earthing problem. I had my lights coming off brackets on the front bumper bar utilising the rear of the chrome bolt at the end of the bar. That was fine except the earth was through the bar which is bolted to the frame. The bolts into the frame needed a good clean as did the thread in the frame. When I fixed this my problem was solved. Maybe this is a similar problem you have.

Back onto my friends problem, I seemed to have tried all avenues however this afternoon I will examine the earth and hopefully it will be resolved otherwise I think I may have to call the shrink in the morning :)

Hoping you can resolve your problems.

John...Sydney
John Walton

John: I have my lamps working. It was so simple... My project before this signal upgrade was installation of 2 fuse boxes (1950s style Lucas each with 4 fuses). The running lights have their own fuse. I'd blown it testing the circuit at some point. Very satisfying to see that the fuse works & not a time-consuming fix. Trust you'll run your problem to ground -- but if your friend has fuses, it's worth a look. -- Peter
Peter Pope

My problem is now solved . Three flasher cans later for the first two new ones were defective at last all is well and I can move onto the next problem. I find it hard to believe that the original flasher and two new ones were defective. Made in China no doubt.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
John
John Walton

I went through to NAPA flasher cans before I got one that worked for more than a couple of times (BTW, I'm still very fond of NAPA). The third one's been in for over a year and seems to be holding. Retailers (who I believe really care) and us are at the mercy of manufacturers who don't seem to but that's another story. Jud
J K Chapin

This thread was discussed between 14/02/2015 and 16/02/2015

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