Vintage turn signal unit

S

saltman

Member
I just received a vintage turn signal unit. And, after hooking it up, all can get is a dim glow from the lights and NO blinking. I removed the indicator bulb and its a GE #53 which, research indicates that it is a 12V bulb. Upon inspection, the power supply wire HAS to go thru this bulb to feed all other functions. Could this be the reason why it does NOT function correctly. IF SO, what is the 6V substitute for the #53 6V GE bulb. Thanks and please respond. SALTMAN
 
All the signal bulbs for each side (including the indicator bulb) should be in parallel.

The power should not feed through the indicator bulb.
 
"Maybe, possibly" just some poor contact in switch contacts, like corroded or dirty??? Bill W. (OH! can't get Snap-On flex stones for cleaning points any more, I just ordered 10 from a pinball game supplier, hope they're good. I can't afford DIAMOND FILES!) bILL w.
 
saltman said:
I just received a vintage turn signal unit. And, after hooking it up, all can get is a dim glow from the lights and NO blinking. I removed the indicator bulb and its a GE #53 which, research indicates that it is a 12V bulb. Upon inspection, the power supply wire HAS to go thru this bulb to feed all other functions. Could this be the reason why it does NOT function correctly. IF SO, what is the 6V substitute for the #53 6V GE bulb. Thanks and please respond. SALTMAN
Click to expand...

The 6 volt equivalent for the #53 bulb is a #51. The indicator bulb is separate from the signal bulbs, and only connects to the pilot terminal on a three terminal flasher. Also, the turn signal unit must be grounded for the indicator to work. I run a ground wire from the switch rather than scratch the steering column.

Paul
 
Paul in Colorado said:
The 6 volt equivalent for the #53 bulb is a #51. The indicator bulb is separate from the signal bulbs, and only connects to the pilot terminal on a three terminal flasher. Also, the turn signal unit must be grounded for the indicator to work. I run a ground wire from the switch rather than scratch the steering column.

Paul
Click to expand...
I'm terrible, Paul, when Minerva's indicator didn't flash because of no strap ground, I ACTUALLY drilled a tiny hole:eek: through the strap & into the column & put in a tiny screw I saved from an ooold computer!!! At least the switch NEVER rotated out of place again!!:D (Am I forgiven for "butchering" an "A"?) Bill W.
 
Anything marked P in the signal system is not power,it is pilot.Treating it as power will result in all kinds of weird things,and none of them make sense.To ground the ******** an A just drive a nail through the strap.You will get 4 little barbs that stick into the column when you tighten it.Won't rotate on you anymore either.I was shown that 35 years ago working on trucks,most everything used the 900 series Signal-Stat switch then,and grounding the unit was important.On a plain old right/left switch I'm not sure if it has to be grounded at all.
 
Keith True said:
Anything marked P in the signal system is not power,it is pilot.Treating it as power will result in all kinds of weird things,and none of them make sense.To ground the ******** an A just drive a nail through the strap.You will get 4 little barbs that stick into the column when you tighten it.Won't rotate on you anymore either.I was shown that 35 years ago working on trucks,most everything used the 900 series Signal-Stat switch then,and grounding the unit was important.On a plain old right/left switch I'm not sure if it has to be grounded at all.
Click to expand...

A Signal Stat 900 does not have to be grounded for the signal lights to work. Grounding is only required for the indicator light to work.

Paul
 
Keith True said:
...To ground the ******** an A just drive a nail through the strap.You will get 4 little barbs that stick into the column when you tighten it.Won't rotate on you anymore either...
Click to expand...
That's what I did on mine -- works great.
 
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