Bad solid state turn signal relay

[Cav Trooper]

Anybody have failure problems with the solid state turn signal relays? I had one die after 1 day and the other one has lasted about 600 miles and used very little since I forget about it most of the time and may leave it on for a couple of miles. I've checked all the wiring and bulbs, nothing bad, all new wiring harnesses and connections etc. The light on the column switch comes on but the relay doesn't fire. I've check and I am getting voltage to the plug at the relay also. Checked ground too. I hate to spend another $50 for one to last a few months. I have thought about adapting a electromechanical heavy duty for about 1/2 the price.

[Carter]

I have had problems with the system and replaced two solid state boxes before I put star washers under the box's bolted connections in order to insure a good ground. I read that you had checked the system grounds as did I but until the grounding star washers were used boxes would die shortly after placed in service. If you need some I have a couple of hundred packs of 100 ea and will send a pack to you for $0.00 with a stamped/ addressed envelope. Might be worth a try, PM me.

[Cav Trooper]

Thanks, I've got some. The kicker is spending another $50 for a new unit. I may tear this one apart and put an old style heavy duty one in it. I'd just keep the shell since it has the amp connector to fit the switch wiring. If that doesn't work, I'll spend the money for a new one.

[Cav Trooper]

Electro mechanical flasher works. I wen to NAPA and got a 24v electro mechcanical 2 prong flasher and gutter the old flasher box, mounted and wired the new one into the connector in the box. Plugged it in and it works great, it has a fairly loud click from the relay tripping and hopefully I will be able to hear it while drive to remind me to turn it off. $13+change with the Veterans 10% off, lot less $$ than another $50 for a new military that don't seem to hold up.

[MSeriesRebuild]

The military solid-state flashers are notorious for failing, poor quality units. There are a couple available from NAPA that are also solid-state units which do work perfecty, wire up identical, and hold up well. They are quite expensive at around $85, but with only 2 mil spec ones at $50+ each that may last a day or a week; it's well worth the change to get one that holds up for the long haul.

In relation to the solid-state unit and grounding; many don't realize that the unit doesn't ground through the box itself, but instead has a ground lead that is the short wire with the 1/4" eyelet that comes from the cannon plug connector. I've never experienced a flasher with a shortened life because of ground. The simple fact is if you don't have a good ground as with any electrical component; it simply doesn't work. As a result, there is no doubt that many units have been trashed as bad, when an insufficient ground may have been the only problem. Star washers are very important.

[Cav Trooper]

I took the unit off and ran jumpers to it directly from the batteries and hooked up good ground etc. The unit was dead. I ordered an electromechanical flasher relay from NAPA and installed it. It works great and I can hear the contacts in the relay clicking closed even with the engine/drive line noise. Helps remember to cancel them after a turn. It's hidden up on the firewall and isn't seen and I don't care as long as it works.