1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

[Paul L.]

My turn signals blink very quickly. Is this a result of having four lenses in the rear rather than two as in 1963-66? Does GM offer a flasher unit that will slow them down?

[William C.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

A couple of things are tied together here, the first question is to you have the correct plasher in the car now? The second is do you have the correct bulbs in the turn signal/brake light sockets. I believe the originals are 1157, 2057 is not the same although they are commonly interchanged.

[Paul L.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

The bulbs are 1157 but I will have to check the flasher number.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

Paul - Bill got you on track with the Parking & Directional Signal/Tail and Stop & Directional Signal bulbs and the 1157s are what the Owner's Manual calls for. The turn signal flasher should be a 3-lamp fixed load flasher and original equipment was either a Tung-Sol 323 or a Signal Stat 145. Both of these are 3-lamp flashers. BTW, a 2-lamp flasher will cause the flasher rate to be too fast as will a defective 3-lamp flasher. Pete

[Paul L.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

Peter,
I will check the flasher tomorrow. And try a new one if need be. BTW, here is my 1967 that was delivered from PA a week ago. It is a very pretty car! Those body lines are timeless....

[Warren S.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

Pete - With all the correct/working bulbs and the original Signal Stat 145 flasher, what will cause the flashers to be too slow. My lights will almost stop flashing when the brakes are applied at a stop light. This is a 67 powerglide car. Take it out of gear and let off the brakes while setting there and the flashers will pick up speed. Thanks Warren

[John H.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

Warren -

Sounds like a turn signal switch problem - a correctly-functioning switch will open the circuit from the brake light switch to the brake lights on the side where the turn signals are activated and only apply power to the brake light filaments on the other side.

[Paul L.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

Pete,
The unit in the car was a Wagner 552. I dropped by an AC Delco dealer to see what was in their books. The part is ACD #SF552, GM #0049391 which is a Wagner 552!! I bought one and tried it. No change. (They did not have the Tung-Sol or Signal Stat versions.) As turn signals and brake lights work just fine - albeit the signals a little fast - I am just going to live with the situation. Thanks for your help. Much appreciated!

[Terry M.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast *TL*

Warren,

After checking for proper operation of the tail lamps, as John suggests, you might consider checking the electrical system voltage with the car in gear and your foot on the brake. It is possible that the system voltage is dropping low enough to cause slow operation fo the turn signals. At low engine speeds the alternator may not be quite up to spec, or even the voltage at the turn signal flasher might be low.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

Warren - Both John and Terry have provided some good ideas as to the cause of the problem. It is also possible that the flasher is just plain old and the internal bimetallic piece of the mechanism is corroded which can affect the flashing rate. A relatively easy and not to expensive check on the flasher is to replace it with an appropriate 3-lamp new one and if that solves the problem "Eureka." If not, then on to Terry's and/or John's suggestions. Pete

[Peter L.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

Paul - The #552 is a variable load flasher for from 3 to up to 6 or 8 lamps and is a general over the counter replacement because it will work in various applications. Typically, it is used for hazard flashers. BTW, it's unlikely that you'll find a Tung Sol or Signal Stat brand flasher now a days at the parts counter. I believe Wagner acquired Tung Sol and I don't know what became of the Signal Stat brand. Pete

[Paul L.]

Re: 1967 Turn Signal Flasher Too Fast

Thanks Pete. I am just going to live with the "fast blink." It works and is not a safety issue. BTW, just as an experiment I tried a universal Tridon #552 and it works the same way. Perhaps what I am experiencing is normal. I am new to the car and that may be the basic problem!