How to beat the TR2-3 turn signal flasher blues.
Have you ever tried to replace your 3-prong turn signal flasher with one
from the local auto parts store or gas station ? They all have one that
looks like it should be perfect (usually part number 550), but when you put
it in, the turn signal warning light stays on when the lamps aren't
flashing. TS39781LO even has an original-appearing clip for this model of
flasher, although most of the parts books show a flasher with an integral
mounting tab.
It turns out that there is a simple modification to the TR2-3 that makes the
550 flasher work properly. Of course that means the original flasher will
no longer work properly, but the mod is easy to reverse if you decide to do
so at a later date. If you look at the lamp holder for the turn signal
indicator (yellow on early cars, green on the later ones), you'll see that
one of the wires just goes to ground on the instrument panel. The
modification consists of disconnecting this wire from the ground terminal,
and connecting it to the ignition circuit.
On my TR3A, I found it easiest to remove the fuel gage clamp and push the
gage out through the dash (leaving it's wires attached). That let me push
the disconnected ground wire through the hole, and I crimped a suitable
solderless ring terminal onto it. I then connected the ring terminal to the
nut on the fuel gage with a green wire (which is fused, switched ignition
voltage), put the gage back and replaced the clamp, being sure to put the
gage's ground wire back under the nut for the clamp. That's it ! The
entire process took less than 15 minutes by the clock, and now my warning
lamp works as it should.
This same modification should work on all Triumphs that take a 3-terminal
flasher, although there may be an easier place to find switched power than
on the back of the fuel gage.
Standard disclaimers apply, but I'll be glad to try to help anyone with
questions. Email them to me at ryoung@navcomtech.com
Randall
57 TR3 TS21731L rusting quietly
59 TR3A TS39781LO daily driver (back on the road, WooHoo!)
63 Sports 6 HB7826LCV rustoration project
71 Stag LE1473L daily driver wannabe (waiting for overdrive conversion)
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