How did I manage to kill my turn signals [280SEL]

[Tomguy]

I dunno about the other switch type, but if you have the pull type hazard switch, the relay seems to be part of that switch itself. It's the part that clicks when you have the flashers on, anyway. I also remember my signals didnt work one time but a small twist on the hazard knob made them work fine again (loose wire I guess).

Helpful thing I'll share: I've found that, if I dont know where something is or what it looks like, I go on to buy the part and a lot of times, it'll have a picture online (Like on FastLane). It can help to show what it should or might look like - it isn't always 100% accurate since parts can change but it usually helps a ton!



^ That is what FastLane shows the relay to look like. The one on my car is metal I believe with a small hint of rust

[Oldgoat]

The flasher is easy enough to remove from under the dash. It differs from the standard american flasher of this vintage in two ways. The electrical connection prongs are cylindrical rather than flat and the timing circuit is solid state rather than a bi-metal strip.

Despite using a transistorized circuit to provide the time interval between the on/off periods it still uses mechanical contacts to actually make/break the circuit.

The flasher has a plastic end cap to carefully prize off. Then the circuit board slides out. Once the circuit board is visible you will notice a coil of shiney copper wire situated above a black rectangular plastic box.

I use two types of contact cleaner. One is a cleaner only that removes oil and carbon deposits. Puretronics. Liberally spray this contact cleaner along the seams of the rectangular box. Flood it.

The second cleaner contains a light electrically conductive oil to protect the contacts and bearings. MG Chemicals "Control Cleaner". Apply a light spray along the seams of the rectangular box.

Yes, the turn signal flasher is the same as used by the emergency flashers. Both systems are now flashing normally again.

The flasher is not hermetically sealed and there is significant dust under the dash. Contact cleaning often results in more or less permanent repair with radios/electronics in home/shop. How long this repair will last in the car remains to be seen. This 4.5 has seen its share of dirt/dusty roads.

[OldMB76]

I have this vague recollection that when one encounters problems with turn signals, that sometimes the issue is oxidation of the terminals on the hazard switch. The cure is to push the hazard switch in and out about 100 times.