Hazard lights flashing, indicators not! (Old Alfa content)

[RicksAlfas]

My old Alfa (1968) didn't have hazard lights. As I am in the process of rebuilding it with a new loom I thought it was a good addition. I bought one of the Hella hazard light kits which I have used before.





https://cat.hella.com/web/public/hella/en/700000/7...

It works as intended. All indicators flash at a normal speed as do the dashboard telltales. So far so good.

The problem is the indicators don't flash when used as indicators rather than hazards. They switch on, but don't flash.

I'm wondering if I need a different flasher can. Any ideas before I start disconnecting the hazard light box? (When the car was taken off the road, the indicators worked OK).

[Riley Blue]

Have you fitted LEDs? They can cause problems.

[RicksAlfas]

No. Still old bulbs.

[alfaspecial]

I have a 1970 Alfa Romeo engined special with a very basic, bespoke (well DIY!) wiring loom.

When the car's ignition is on but the engine is not running the indicators light but do not flash. And when the car has only just been started. Similarly if the engine has running for a while but at low rpm the same thing happens. Queuing in traffic, for example.


I put it down to not having enough voltage to work the flasher unit - but a simple blip of the throttle increases the voltage and starts the flasher unit.

There are two basic types of flasher unit. One is operated by a piece of wire or a bimetallic strip which expands and contracts as it is heated by the current ; the other is a relay operated by a transistorised circuit

Is it possible the hazard light kit is drawing just a little too much current - therefore reducing the available current for the flasher?
Ensuring all the earths and all connections are very good, might help

Try running the car and blipping the throttle
Just thinking.

[RicksAlfas]

Thanks for the advice. Eventually fitted a new flasher relay and sorted it.
Old one was either defunct or couldn’t cope with the hazard lights.

[4rephill]

RicksAlfas said:

Thanks for the advice. Eventually fitted a new flasher relay and sorted it.
Old one was either defunct or couldn’t cope with the hazard lights.

Probably stopped working due to lack of use.

Despite all the classic car reliability reputations, how often do the hazard warning lights really get used on classic cars? - Not very often I'd suggest.