directional wiring question

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Aug 13, 2011 | 08:34 PM

r_reed

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2003

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From: scotia. NY 12302

directional wiring question

after a short search, ok, i'm lazy, thought i would ask here. my current set up has separate directional lights. i'm going to use my parking lamps for directionals (two filaments) on the front and new parking, brake, directional (2 filament). so far so good. i have a generic aftermarket signal switch. my current system has a two wire flasher L,X. my diagram for the new switch has diagrams for two wire l,X flasher and a diagram for a 3 wire L,X,P flasher. what is the difference in function between the two and three wire flasher? i can replace my 2 with a 3 if it makes a diff. thanks, as always. dick r.

Aug 13, 2011 | 09:38 PM

Old F1

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2008

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From: Windermere Valley,B.C. Ca

Umm, is the turn signal switch a new one and did it come with instructions, the reason for the question and the reason your truck originally had two sets of rear lights is that the newer turn signal switch has the canceling provision for the brake light for the side that is turning and your old original switch did not so in the old days they would put on separate turn and brake lights.

The P on the flasher stands for pilot and is not used on newer systems.

(I think)

Aug 13, 2011 | 09:57 PM

r_reed

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2003

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From: scotia. NY 12302

my truck (49) had an aftermarket directional set on it with separate lights, front and back. we rewired with ez wire and kept the separate directionals wired separate from the brake, parking lights. now we are going to use the front parking for directionals (converted to 2 filament ) and some aftermarket rear lights conventional 2 filament parking, brake and directional. i have wiring diagram which show both a 2 and 3 wire flasher hook up. just wondering the diff, no help number listed on instructions but can do some research and call someone on monday. the diagram provided shows black wire and blue wire connected separately to L and P terminal in the 3 wire, and same two wires both connected to the L term in the two wire flasher. wondering the diff. thanks for your input. dick r.

Aug 13, 2011 | 10:32 PM

52 Merc

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From: Burbank, WA

I don't know what the deal is with 2 or 3 wire flashers, but for using one rear lamp with combination brake and turn on the same filament, you need a different, 7 wire turn signal switch instead of your current 4 wire set up. It integrates the brake lights into the system so the flasher can override the lights when the brake pedal is depressed. The Signal Stat 900 is one of the more popular ones, shown here.

Aug 14, 2011 | 06:48 AM

r_reed

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,224

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From: scotia. NY 12302

i do have a 7 wire replacement switch and i understand about the brake light thing. the question i have is the black and blue wire of my switch that goes to the L and P terminal on the flasher. it also shows a diagram for a two terminal flasher with both black and blue going to the L terminal. i have seem something about the P terminal (pilot?) being for the lights on the switch that tell you your blinker is on. i'll keep working at it. thanks to all for the help. dick r.

Aug 14, 2011 | 09:53 AM

blsd49

More Turbo

Joined: Jun 2005

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From: Sandpoint, in north Idaho

Kinda' on the same subject: I have an after market setup like you show Wayne, when I start the truck the red light in the middle comes on and stays on. When I turn it to left or right the corresponding green light comes on. Is that light supposed to blink or just stay on till you turn it off?
Thanks, Brian

Aug 14, 2011 | 10:38 AM

52 Merc

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From: Burbank, WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_reed

I was just playing with mine yesterday. I was tracing the wires on it and saw that the flasher has 3 wires. One is incoming hot, the other goes to the indicator lamp inside the switch housing, and the third to the actual switching mechanism, routing power to the left and right signals. You might have to open up the box, as I did, to see which wire goes where. Hope this helps.