merchauser

my flasher/relay died yesterday and autozone (and advance) had 2 choices both from Sylvania/Novita: a "standard" square unit, and round yellow one that is "5x" louder. bought the loud one, since I never was able to hear the relay buried behind a wooded board, carpet insulation, carpet, and floor mat.


only surprise was that the relay had 2 prongs v. 3 on the original? (the std replacement also had 3 prongs.) relay works properly, but I don't understand WHY? I was certain that it would not, having 2 prongs, but it works. only problem is that under the wood and the carpet, it still cannot be heard.

novita makes another flasher LF12-K, which is the same relay with an extension wire to mount the relay in a remote location. surely it can be heard with this set up. still would like to know why my turn signals and flashers work properly with only 2 prongs?

76FJ55

At first glance it looks like the original was a digitally controlled flasher unit designed to maintain a consistent flash rate regardless of the current draw on the load side, and I speculate the yellow is an old school bimetallic unit which will have a flash rate that is load sensitive.

How about your emergency flashers? Are they still operating correctly?

dr bob

More importantly, do the console turn-signal indicators work? IIRC, the third pin supports that function, where the inside indicator "alternates" with the outside bulbs.

merchauser

simon, emergency flashers work properly as well. ????? notiva says the new relay is electromechanical. this is from their website:

"Electromechanical flashers utilize electromagnetism, with an electronic circuit, to outperform thermal flashers by up to 10 times! All Novita Electromechanical flashers operate in forward and reverse polarity making these flashers extremely versatile. Made in the U.S.A. on fully automated equipment. Functionally tested twice before leaving our facility."

does this explain anything? should I go back to OEM?

merchauser

not sure what you mean by console turn-signal indicators? my green dash light works properly.

dr bob

If you have full functionality (except the noise...), go with it! The electronic units support LED bulbs if you eventually go that route. Downside is that the electronic ones don't slow down when a bulb fails as the OEM ones do. Remember to regularly verify bulb functions and you'll be fine.

GaryWEley

Where is the turn signal flasher relay located on my 2004 911 Carerra Cabriolet

Alan

Gary - This is the 928 forum - so generally we wouldn't know... (unless you get lucky with someone who has both) - Try the question again on the Rennlist 911 (996) forum << Click

Alan

Alan

Actually its rather like the other way around - fully electronic flasher relays were not at all common at the time of the 928 - the stock partially electronic relay activated unit actually has some good advantages with stock incandescent bulbs - however it does not work well with LED bulbs - because the load is too small. Modern electronic flashers that are fully solid state (no actual relay) do not need a ground pin - though it does marginally affect their performance. They steal the power to run their timer from the turn signals when they are off (while active). This means there is a very slight delay upon initiating the turn signal before they illuminate as they charge themselves ready for action (almost imperceptible). Otherwise there is no functional difference - except load independence - where you lose the faster flashing when a bulb is out warning feature. Some fully electronic flashers also do use a ground pin and it allows for less delay in operation (but an extra pin to pay for..)

Alan