Fitting a hazard flasher

by Gary Winblad (winbladg@apps5.credence.com)
July 6, 1995
NOTE: This one came from the Tigers mailing list, but was too good to pass up. -- TJH
>I read with great interest the hazard flashers and double filament bulb
>upgrade on Gary's car. I would like to get some more detailed information on
>how to perform the upgrade. I purchased my Mk I last October and do get
>nervous when I am sitting on the roadside.

All right! Another nervous, safety-conscious Tiger driver... I thought I was the only one.

For hazard flashers, I built them into the steering column surround by replacing the rubber plug on the right side with a plate with a small toggle switch and a small red light. By using a short flasher unit, it all fits inside. I used all plug in fittings so I didn't have to cut any original wires.

Parts list with worst case prices and sources:

  small replacement flasher unit          $5   auto parts store
  small toggle switch                     $3   Radio Shack
  light                                   $3   Radio Shack
  bullet type fittings                    $5   auto parts store 
  couple feet of wire                     -
  plate to fill hole (painted black)      -
You do need to solder the whole mess together.

The plate is really two oval plates separated by about 1/8 inch so it slip fits in just like the rubber plug. The two plates are held together with the toggle switch hardware.

I changed the top tailight to dual filiment and wired the dim filiment to the tailight (and left the bright filiment as the turn-signal). I got a replacement light socket (dual type) from an auto parts store. It is a plug-in in my MK1 (internal screw) but my Alpine V (external screw) it isn't.

In the front, I changed the yellow (turn signal) socket to dual filiment and wired the dim filiment to the white parking light. This lets it function as a side marker light.

I can give you a schematic with the Sunbeam color codes if you need it... Its all simple stuff. Everything is plug in and doesn't require any holes or anything.

Oh yeah, one other mod was to put a switch on the fuel pump for theft prevention as well as draining the carb when I need it.

If you're anywhere near San Jose, come on over for a look or help. Its probably easier to see it than figure it out from my explanation!

Gary


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