I noticed while driving a Taurus the other night that when I turned on the left turn signal, a light came on to illuminate the left side. I could see where I was turning into to and it was pretty cool. It does it for the right side as well, btw.

I want to make my car do that but am a little confused on how I would go about it. Looking at the wiring diagram didn't help much. When the turn signal is switched on, how does it produce a blinking pattern? I need to be able to get a constant flow of current to at least get a relay to stay on. I don't know how I can get that. I don't want to have to run wires all the way from the dash, either. And while we're at it, what makes the clicking sound anyway?

Andrew

 

The part that makes the turn signals flash is called "turn flasher" and it makes the clicking noise. It's under the dash, next to the fuse box. A round cylindrical part with two prongs.

This diagram shows it at the top of the page, right under the fuse: http://www.austinthirdgen.org/mkport...ithout_T61.jpg

Hope this helps.
Lou

 

That does help. Thanks. Does the current that comes out of the "Turn Flasher" pulsate? Is that what causes the lights to go on and off? I don't want to have to climb under the dash to find out if I dont have to.

 

Simplistically speaking, there is a constant 12v feed to the flasher. There's a mechanical mechanism inside the little can that clicks on and off (audible) and provides the on-off flash to the lights.

 

Alright. Sounds good. I'm gonna screw around with this and see if I can get it to work. I'll post what happens.

 

Ah, yes... The old-school turning lamps...

You'll need a set of lamps to illuminate and then design yourself a "missing-pulse" detection circuit to light the appropriate lamp and turn it off when the turn signal stops. Our cars do not have the appropriate signals from the turn signal switch assembly to simply do the task. All +12 feeds from the turn signal switch will flash.

This is a different circuit I designed many years ago, but it should get you started. This one actually makes your turn signal lamps into DRL lamps when not flashing...

 

Thanks for the circuit. That might come in handy. What I was actually thinking of doing, was to splice in a wire before the the turn flasher box (because its a constant current there) and then run that to a relay which would turn on the lights. I don't see any problems with that method do you?