R33 GTR Indicator Flashers vs Hazard Flasher Circuit

[gabednconfused]

Hi SAU clan, I have been trying to sort this issue out to no avail. 
 

My R33 GTR- the hazard lights flash at normal speed, but as soon as I use the steering stalk to put left or right turn signal on, they flash fast. 
 

All conventional bulbs, and since the hazards flash normal I am tempted to say the bulbs are fine. None are blown.

Any idea how to tackle this?

[GTSBoy]

Yes, but are all the bulbs actually working? There is a function built into INDICATOR flasher units to make them flash fast when a globe is out. That is not necessarily replicated in the hazard flasher.

And of course, if the bulbs are all fine and working, then the flasher unit is most likely to blame.

[gabednconfused]

Hi yes all 6 bulbs are working… where is the flasher “unit”? In the indicator stalk?

[White GTS-T]

The Flasher unit, or flasher cam is a special relay which controls the timing of the indicator speed. Check your fuse box wiring to identify which relay is the flasher cam. Alternatively, you should be able to hear/feel which relay is the flasher cam/unit when you have the indicators on

[GTSBoy]

On 1/25/2022 at 4:18 PM, White GTS-T said:

cam

Just for clarity, it's can, not cam. As in, back in the dim dark old days, they were contained in a little steel can. Nowadays they're plastic.

[joshuaho96]

On 1/25/2022 at 12:12 AM, gabednconfused said:

Hi yes all 6 bulbs are working… where is the flasher “unit”? In the indicator stalk?

Flasher unit is in the dash, number 52 in this image next to the center console stack, it's next to the buzzer to remind you to remove your key and "circuit breaker" and is a black 3 pin relay. Not sure how you actually get to it though:

 

 

[GTSBoy]

You just drop the lower dash cover. 4 screws.

[gabednconfused]

On 1/25/2022 at 3:01 AM, GTSBoy said:

You just drop the lower dash cover. 4 screws.

I was under the impression it was to the right of the steering column, but ima check this weekend. I had ordered the r34 relay because the r33 one is discontinued. I assume it’ll work. If not I’ll just order a random eBay one. 
 

Thanks everyone, solid info.

[gabednconfused]

Ok SAU friends, some updates. 

Searched high and low for a new relay, and found an R34 one. As expected, they have an identical exterior appearance and plug. 

Swapped the relay, and same issue- all the lights work, just flash fast. Hazard light circuit flashes normal speed.

Pretty confused by this. Like I said, all the bulbs are conventional, non LED.

I am tempted to buy one of those adjustable knob relays and just artificially slow it down, if that makes sense, also will try replacing some of the lights such as the rears to see if a new bulb helps. Unsure what else to try…

Edited February 2, 2022 by gabednconfused

[GTSBoy]

Time to start some low level fault finding work then. Measure the resistance of the circuits coming off the flasher can, looking for differences between LHS and RHS. Perhaps measure the resistance of individual globes. Maybe one of them has a weird internal short or (more likely) high resistance. Open circuit on a globe is what triggers the fast flash response, so high resistance (but still making some light) might do the same.

Perhaps wire up a completely external circuit using the original flasher can and some globes to see if it behaves itself under controlled circumstances.

etc etc.