Author Topic: Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left  (Read 2672 times)

SpeedModel

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Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left
« on: June 17, 2023, 01:36:49 »
My early 250SL seems to have a different flash speed, R vs L. When I flip the stalk to RIGHT it flashes about 12 times in a 10 second period, but when I flip the stalk to the left it flashes about 9 times in a 10 second period. Are there separate relays for each side?.

Cees Klumper

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Re: Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2023, 03:43:12 »
Check the bulbs on either side, not just wattage but also the connections/grounds. There should be only one flasher relay for both sides.
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8 being restored father/son project
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
2014 FIAT 500 Abarth
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

Jordan

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Re: Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2023, 10:25:35 »
If this just happened it sounds like one of your right side bulbs is no longer working, as Cees mentions.
Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed

SpeedModel

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Re: Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2023, 12:50:25 »
Thank you for the replies. All of the bulbs are correctly matched and working. Something I failed to mention in the initial post is that this car has the factory emergency flasher option. When the emergency flasher relay is activated all the lights flash in a synchronized manner, about 15 flashes in a 10 second period.
« Last Edit: June 17, 2023, 14:53:05 by SpeedModel »

66andBlue

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Re: Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2023, 19:12:58 »
Take a look at the current flow that determines the flashing rate:
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/FlasherRelay
If the left and right rates are different then the current flow through the 3 light bulbs and ground connections are not identical between both branches.
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

roymil

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Re: Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left
« Reply #5 on: June 18, 2023, 16:52:35 »
ground resistance issues explained why my blinker speeds were off...and also why my all my lights were a bit dim.   Pretty easy to fix.

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=30512.msg252444#msg252444
Mark Miller
1968 280SL
Rode in his pagoda's first mile.

SpeedModel

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Re: Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left
« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2023, 18:17:29 »
Thank you all for helping identify the cause of the issue. It should be an easy fix from here. I plan to do it after I finish the rebuild of the turn signal switch mechanism. What a fiddly job!