Weak Turn Signal

[Guest Mochet]

All my turn signal lights work, but one side clicks twice and then remains "on". I cleaned the bulb socket, but no improvement. Is there a way to trace the cause of this sluggish signal? (1959 Vespa 400). Am I correct in thinking that, if the control unit works on one side and not the other, there is most likely a wiring problem rather than a problem with the control unit?

Phil

Edited July 1, 2012 by Mochet (see edit history)

[RU22]

Hi Phil

You can try a new solid state flasher ....... Italian cars and electricity is a topic for many hours and cold beer Like Fiats there are too many gound wires going too many places

I had a friend with a 400 we often drove to school........ It would run on 1 1/2 cylinders for miles and then suddenly on both.

[Friartuck]

Phil,If the flasher is the normal style where it depends on the current flowing through it to flash, then I'd say the bulbs are not high enough wattage to draw the required amount of current to flash. A solid state version suggested above (also referred to as a heavy duty flasher), does not rely on the current through to operate. A typical appliation is when towing where the addition of the trailer lights adds to the current and you get a higher flash rate. Try the solid state version first.

[Guest Mochet]

I ordered a solid state control unit from a motorcycle place. I'll let you know how it works. Thanks.

Phil

[Guest Mochet]

Now, to report my test results: I installed a new "solid state" turn signal control, and the signals worked well, though the unit didn't "click", and the left (weak) signal went a bit slower. I then installed a new standard-type signal unit (built like the original 1959 control) and it worked also. As a bonus, it clicked nicely. Of course, the new relay is the round type, and not like the original in shape (see photo of original French unit below), but I could glue it inside the original aluminum box, and no one could see...

Phil

[RU22]

It's good to hear something worked. I would bet it is covering a problem in the wiring but it works.

[Guest Mochet]

Yes, you're probably right about a wiring defect. Anyway, I epoxied the new relay inside the original box, so if you look up under the dash, it appears original.

Phil