Project Dollywobbler's Invacar - Ongoing

[beko1987]

2CV has a three-pin relay. A Land Rover one should do the trick, but I really, REALLY want the proper thermal type so I get the different flash rates.

 

I'll investigate the wiring tomorrow if I get chance.

Different flash rates? Sounds clever

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Really enjoyed this thread to date. Can vaguely remember one of these bathtub blue cars going around where we used to live. A handlebar instead of a steering wheel.

 

Then, suddenly, they just weren't there anymore.

[SiC]

Is it one of these generic Lucas style 2pin flashers?

 

https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/flasher-unit-indicators-standard-square-gfu2124.html

[dollywobbler]

I've no idea to be honest as I've no idea exactly what's missing.

[SiC]

Just rereading the thread, I suspect the flasher connects in-between those two terminals you bridged.

 

2 pin flashers are wired like this:

 

I know MGs, Triumphs and Morris all used them, so I wouldn't be surprised if Invacars used them too.

[dollywobbler]

Seems likely. My pals at SNG Barratt might have one. I'll get it sorted one way or the other. Until then, I can try and work out what's gone wrong with the wiring as I've got no LH rear indicator, and the RH one operates the brake light...

[junkyarddog]

No relay on the spares car??

[plasticvandan]

Seems likely. My pals at SNG Barratt might have one. I'll get it sorted one way or the other. Until then, I can try and work out what's gone wrong with the wiring as I've got no LH rear indicator, and the RH one operates the brake light...

Earths.

[SiC]

Either that, chaffed wiring, damaged/dirty bulb holders or incorrectly connected. Not a lot else there that can be wrong!

[dollywobbler]

No relay on the spares car??

 

Nope.

[Yoss]

I can confirm my Triumphs indicators are all over the place, especially at idle. Can't remember if it's two or three pin but I can have a look tomorrow. I know it's round. Or cylindrical to be more precise.

[Squire_Dawson]

If it does not have hazard warning lights it will almost certainly be a Lucas FL5 unit, widely available at autojumbles about £1 a pop. And if one side's indicators are working, it is certainly not a faulty flasher can.

[dollywobbler]

If it does not have hazard warning lights it will almost certainly be a Lucas FL5 unit, widely available at autojumbles about £1 a pop. And if one side's indicators are working, it is certainly not a faulty flasher can.

There is no flasher can. I bridged the gap with a paperclip.

[beko1987]

Was it the correct paperclip though? What's the part number?

[dollywobbler]

Was it the correct paperclip though? What's the part number?

 

No, it's correct. I ordered it from Euro Car Paperclips online.

[twosmoke300]

Ha !

[Guest Hooli]

No, it's correct. I ordered it from Euro Car Paperclips online.

 

There you go then, at this age an Invacar needs an imperial paperclip & they always supply the nearest metric equivalent.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

Is it an OEM paperclip or a pattern one?

[beko1987]

Is it an OEM paperclip or a pattern one?

Sometimes the NOS ones aren't much good if they've been improperly stored I've found

[twosmoke300]

True story this - I was once doing a homer on an older car with blink code diagnostics and needed a paper clip to short the connector . I sent the wife in ( who knew what I was doing ) to get one and she came back with a plastic one !

[dollywobbler]

Anyway, paperclip has been out again today. Success!

 

Quite a lengthy sort-out for this one. The nearside lamp assembly was very badly corroded, due to a broken lens, so I robbed one from the parts car. Even though that one has no lenses at all, I guess the holder could at least dry out, so it was better.

 

Had to clean up the bulb holders both sides, and may need to do more, as the offside one isn't very bright, and the sidelight bulb slightly illuminates. It does all seem to just be down to the holders themselves though.

 

So, indicators now work, brake lights work, but rear sidelights have packed up. Sigh.

[Zelandeth]

You're probably going to be playing dodgy contact bingo with things like the lights for a long while!

 

Sidelight glowing with the indicator will almost certainly be down to a duff earth.

[dollywobbler]

It's not the earth that's the problem, it's the bulb holder. If one bulb isn't getting a good contact, neither bulb will illuminate. It's like a set of bleedin' fairy lights!

[Zelandeth]

Oh that sounds like it has the potential for all sorts of fun on a car that's been out of use for this long then!

[dollywobbler]

Yup! It's mostly yet more tedious cleaning, lots of electrical contact cleaner, wire wool and patience. Off to try and get the tail-lights working now.

[Jimbo]

Early Minis and chevettes have a basic 2 pin flasher relays as do may motorcycles with 12v electrics.

[SiC]

I've found a Dremel (or cheap equivalent) and a wire wheel attachment makes short work of cleaning up contacts. Also probably worth getting an assortment of replacement spade and bullet connectors with a set of ratchet crimpers. If any look suspect or dirty, just chop them off and replace them.

[Noel Tidybeard]

No, it's correct. I ordered it from Euro Car Paperclips online.

 

ha, now that's a contradiction if i ever saw one!

[Zelandeth]

Top tip:

 

If you need to clean the female side of a plug or bullet connector, a useful tool for this is a reasonably stiff bit of electrical flex with the strands folded back over it, stuck in a drill.  Stick the wire into the socket then give it a good spin with the drill.  It should polish up the inside surface of the connector nicely.

 

That one was figured out sorting out refrigeration kit on the farm which all seemed to suffer from issues with the control boxes filling up with water.

[dollywobbler]

May give that a go another day. Started running out of volts and core body temperature, so that'll do for now. Still got erratic behaviour in the offside unit. Tried cleaning up the bulb holders but seemingly without success. All three operations now occur independently, but try combining (ie braking and indicating) and disco fever takes place.