Author Topic: Turn Signal Flash Speed is Different... Right vs. Left  (Read 2151 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
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
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!