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MG TD TF 1500 - LED turn signal lights

After doing some major rework with seatbelt attachments, the TD was on the road for the first time last night. What a great feeling.

I did notice something not previously mentioned in the discussion of the LiteZupp LEDs (and others, I'm sure). By matching my LiteZupp LEDs in the rear with incandescents in the front, I thought I would be able to avoid changing the flasher. This was correct in that that lights flash properly front and rear, albeit at a faster flash rate than before.

What I hadn't noticed until this evening (made obvious by driving in the dark) is that the dash turn signal indicator light flashes once and then not again for each activation of the directional switch. I'm going to make a guess here. It has always seemed to me that the dash indicator light brightens and dims, rather than truly "flashing." With the added resistance wire in the dash light circuit (original configuration), I think the flasher is pulsing too rapidly for the incandescent dash indicator light to glow. One solution would be to change to an electronic flasher (positive ground in my case). Another solution would be to replace the indicator light with, for example a green 12 volt LED (upon removal of the original incandescent bulb and the resistance wire).

So, when considering LED turn signal lighting, it is not just a question of whether the exterior lights flash, but also whether the dash indicator light flashes. In my TD, the indicator light appears to be the most sensitive in the switch to LEDs.

For the moment, I'm happy enough to be on the road that I will worry about this another day.

Larry
Larry Shoer

Larry,

You make a good point.

When in Reno, I encountered a vendor selling VERY bright LED conversions - On Geoff Baker's recent thread "High Power LEDs", I added a comment with a link to Steve Kolseth's web site and a picture of his VERY bright LEDs. The only drawback is the very high price of $172/pr.

I long ago abandoned the complex, Lucas flasher relay, preferring to bypass it completely with a Yank unit (forget the model, etc), but keeping the Lucas relay wired to the green indicator light on the (TF) dash.

However it too is subject to the problem you outline and flashes only once per cycle.

Do you think that changing to an LED will correct this problem? And if so, which bulb can I use?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

I use the BMC LED assy that fits in the square tailight on the '52 TD. I too use incandescent in the fronts. With my NAPA EL-13 flasher I have no problems with the flashrate of anypart of my system... except that with my early dash panel, I use a small pizeo electric beeper in lieu of a dash light.

warmly,
Dave
Dave Braun

This is an issue but I think you are all correct in assuming that using LEDs in the dash will solve the problem; mine flash fine and I converted to LED on the dash a long time ago. I would point out that if you're a positive ground system then you must make sure to use LEDs in the dash that are not polarity specific or you will need to rewire the housings as well.

Unfortunately, I cannot test this today to offer more information as my pneumatic turn signal switch needs to be rebuilt (again). But that's a different problem!
Geoff Baker

This thread was discussed between 30/06/2011 and 02/07/2011

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