Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

[Perry M.]

Recently my turn signals stopped flashing in my 63 SWC. All the bulbs are good and turn on when the signal lever is activated but no flash. I spent a lot of money for a $2.95 signal Stat 143 flasher, the same exact one that the car came with originally, but that did not correct the problem. Is there a common ground for this system? The battery is fully charged as I know a weak battery can slow down or stop the flasher from working.

[Monte M.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Perry,
if the light that are supposed to come on, come on, but the only issue is that they do not flash, you were headed in the right direction.

Try another flasher. All a flasher does is interrupt a circuit that is working correctly.

It should not matter, but make sure the emergency flasher button is not pushes in. In fact, try your emergency flashers to make sure they all come on the way they are supposed to.

Try the flasher itself. Put power to one terminal and ground the other. It should click.

[Edward J.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Perry, if you have the 1157 bulbs installed in your car the 143 flasher will not flash correctly, try getting a 552 flasher from the pars store. 63 cars used a 1034 bulb

[John D.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

I did not know my 63 had an emergency flasher. How do I activate the emergency flasher.
As Monte stated it could be the flasher. There are 2 bulb and 3 bulb flashers for a 63.
'63 w/o back up lamps: Tung-Sol AP373V or Signal-Stat 143
'63 with back up lamp: " 322 " 142
Perry. Try and find some good USA bulbs/lamps also.

[Monte M.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

John,

Sometimes owning too many generations of these cars makes things run together. Or, maybe my 63 is just special?
Monte

[Perry M.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Guys. I checked all 6 of my bulbs and they are all 1034's. I installed an NOS Signal Stat flasher and still no luck. The car does not have back up lights. It must be a grounding issue.

[Peter L.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Perry - Do the brake lights work?

Also, someone has suggested getting a new 552 flasher and installing it and seeing if the flashers work. The 552 is a variable load flasher so if it works, it sounds like the NOS Signal-Stat flasher might be a problem. BTW, what is the Signal-Stat flasher model number? Pete

[Perry M.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Yes, the brake lights work. The flasher is a 143 model. When the signal is turned on, and it doesn't matter which way, left or right, the outer bulb gets bright and the inner bulb is dim but no flash. The front lights get bright as well and no flash. I'm confused. I will get the 552 flasher and see if that works. What would the chances of two failed 143 flashers?

[Monte M.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Have you checked the flashers by power up one side and grounding the other?

This will at least tell you if it is your flasher or something else.

[Perry M.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Have you checked the flashers by power up one side and grounding the other?

This will at least tell you if it is your flasher or something else.

To do that do you simply connect one of the terminals to a positive post of a battery and the other terminal to the negative post? Does it matter which terminal to + or -? Then I assume you listen or feel for a click?

[Timothy B.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Perry,

From reading your post #8 it sounds like there is a ground issue and if it's the same L/R with the dim bulb, process of elimination is the way to find the problem. The rear harness grounds through the main harness to the birdcage but double check the wiring diagram.

I know you stated the bulbs are good but double check to make sure there are not two burnt out 1034's there.

[Peter L.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Perry - I agree with Tim. From your recent posting it sure sounds like a grounding problem. Pete

[John H.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Yes, the brake lights work. The flasher is a 143 model. When the signal is turned on, and it doesn't matter which way, left or right, the outer bulb gets bright and the inner bulb is dim but no flash. The front lights get bright as well and no flash. I'm confused. I will get the 552 flasher and see if that works. What would the chances of two failed 143 flashers?

Perry -

I'd remove the lenses and bulbs from the inboard rear lamps and look for corroded sockets/connectors; with a voltmeter, you should show the same voltage on both socket contacts - something is causing a voltage drop or resistance that makes them "dim".

[Michael H.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Yes, the brake lights work. The flasher is a 143 model. When the signal is turned on, and it doesn't matter which way, left or right, the outer bulb gets bright and the inner bulb is dim but no flash. The front lights get bright as well and no flash. I'm confused. I will get the 552 flasher and see if that works. What would the chances of two failed 143 flashers?

Perry,

It sounds like you have a poor ground at the rear inboard lamps. You can use a small jumper wire and touch it to the chrome part of the lamp housing and the bumper just for a test.

[Kevin P.]

Re: Signal lamps won't flash. Why?

Perry, If you find that a 552 flasher works I can send you another NOS #143 flasher just send it back and i will send you another. Kevin (775)