Bummer, mis diagnosis, 164 right turn signal fault- BEWARE

["Jason Hagen" <hagen_jason1@xxxxxxx>]

Well, I just blew $144 (parts and rush shipping) on my new turn signal 
assembly (in the center console), plus my labor time to pull off the air 
bag, etc.

Here;s the short story:  Right blinkers were dead (hazrds worked fine).  I 
had only been able to get the right blinkers to work by jiggling the turn 
stalk (pulling it into the high beem flash position while set to the side 
for the right blinker), so I figured replace the column switch which 
contains the turn signal switch, right?!  Well, after finally getting the 
proper part yesterday, I replaced it...  and the problem did not go away!

I pulled out the Cardisc schematic, re-worked it because the Alfa service 
manual schematics don't show the proper pin layout for the flasher unit 
(unit N13), then I used some solder for jumpers to the left blinker side of 
the flasher unit, and a volt meter to verify other continuity, and 
determined that the flasher is definitely the problem ($15).  So now I have 
an extra, fully functional console switch unit!  A spare I suppose (unless 
someone out there needs one)...

The big question is...  why could jiggling get the flasher unit to work for 
a few cycles?  A coincidence?  Does it somehow send more juice over to the 
unit by shorting it over to a higher current high beem voltage to force a 
sticking relay to run in the flasher unit?  Who knows!

Any ideas out there?  In any case, beware.  Always check the simple things 
first, even when you think you have isolated the problem with the "jiggle 
test".

I feel ashamed.... Well, I suppose you win some, and you lose some.  I can 
apply the blown $144 towards the ~$2000 I saved doing the clutch and related 
work earlier this month!  At least that's how I justified the lost $144 to 
my wife!

-Jason Hagen

'95 164Q
'73 Spider

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