85' diesel, why are my turn signals so slow to flash?
 

When I actuate to turn signal lever it lights, but doesn't begin to flash for 3 seconds, then flash slow. I opened the flasher relay, cleaned the contacter...looks fine. Cleaned the hazard switch too, it was really dirty... same slow turn signals. To make a faster signal I have to toggle the turn signals manually. Is this a worn-out flasher relay or just a bad ground?

Are the lights bright on the outside of the car? Do they flash slow when you turn on the hazards?

My first guess is a bad electrolytic capacitor in the flasher relay. I forget if the flasher relay lives in the center console or behind the instrument cluster in the W123.

-J

I believe it under the center console, up ahead of the shifter, little black plastic box.

Thanks! Yes, I've pulled the relay out from the console and actually opened it up and checked solders/cleaned the contactor.

The signal lights are nice and bright and the turn signals flash at the same speed as the hazard signals. Always flashes the same slow speed, about one flash for close to every 2 seconds

Maybe someone has a Parts Car and can loan you a Flasher for troubleshooting purposes.
If it is still flashing slow you might want to check the end of the Bulbs and their contacts for corrosion and the Electrical Connectors for the same.
I had intermittent working Turn Signals on My Volvo and cleaning the Light Bulb Tips and the Socket Contacts and socket grounds fixed the problem.
The above stuff makes a difference on American Cars as does Water getting inside of the Lights.

If you Hose down your Car do not direct the Hose at the Lights as the rubber Seals are Old.

As was said....there are capacitors in the relay.... Caps usually have a max life of 15 years, they are probably leaking and cause the issue....seems like they are 27$ part number 0008211063....just buy a new one...

As has been said, it could be a failing relay or switch.

There is also the option to just turn slowly ... :P

The bulb contacts looked great last time I checked. The thing is that the flasher speed is the same for both sides ,,
The capacitors in the relay looked fine when I had it open (no swelling), the whole relay circuit board looked nice and clean, but I dont' know how old the relay really is.
If l have to get another relay ., I don't really want to place an order online for only 1 relay- I'm sure there's something else I'll need.... probably unrelated.
I don't know anyone with a relay they'll let me use.
Can this type of relay be tested out of the car?

I actually do make my turns slower right now. Seriously, waiting a couple extra seconds for my flasher to start.

If you are good with a soldering iron, you can attempt to replace the capacitors.....unfortunately you must have some electrical knowledge to do so. The capacitors can be found at radio shack. I would imagine they would be something like 47uf16v.....I just paid 3$ for 5 to fix my cruise control amp.....there is really no way to test the really outside of the car.....

That's an interesting idea. I'd like to do that but, sounds like a long shot and I'd be missing a relay if it didn't work. I know it had one large capacitor next to the contactor coil, but the rest of the circuitry was not so easy to identify.

I was able to replace the caps in my hazard flasher. 22uf was too fast, 220uf too slow, 100uf just right. this approach is much cheaper than replacing the whole unit.

Mine is the $27 Kaehler. The OEM relay is $$$

I'm gonna get another Kaehler, then try the solder fix on the old one for fun. Thanks!