still trying to fix intermittent flashers and turn signals

RickB · September 23, 2008, 06:00:47 PM

Alright I have removed the instrument panel/dash and opened the front junction box hatch and looked up from the floor with a light to find the Hazard flasher and the turn signal flasher and I can't find them. My question is how big are these flashers and what do they look like? Is there a standard mounting place because I can't find them. Lots and lots of relays but nothing that remotely resembles an auto flasher unit. Also while we're on the subject are our dash instrument lights something we can find at a local auto place or are they MCI parts store only?

FYI I have a 1981 MCI 9 (my manual is for a 1989) hope that they didn't make alot of major changes between those years.

By the way just to make you all smile my left turn signal just started flashing away in the middle of the night last night. I got up to relieve myself at 3 am and noticed a light flashing through the blinds. The signals had just started working with no one even close to the bus. Good reason to remember to always shut off my master switch. It was pretty funny, me out in the driveway in my undies at 3am. Not a sight for the squeamish!!

For those of you who feel I just violated the too much information line. Take a couple deep breath's and just keep repeating "There's no place like home... There's no place like home... you'll feel better in the morning...

Thanks in advance for your time and help,
Rick

Melbo · September 23, 2008, 06:45:33 PM

Not that it will really help but just my experience and I have an eight.

I have an after market 24 volt flasher that is inside the panel below the drivers window but not inside the inner cover.

I'm not sure where the flasher unit is supposed to be in the original set up

Melbo

Busted Knuckle · September 23, 2008, 08:14:47 PM

Rick I have seen them in different areas, and even heard of them in other areas I haven't seen them in. And while they are supposed to be a HEAVY DUTY 24V unit I have seen folks put 12V car flashers in place (of course this is why they are usually not working too!
FWIW!
Oh yeah by the way no MCI is not the only place to get light bulbs, but you won't find them at the local discount auto parts place either!

I suggest you give JD at C & J Bus Repair in Bloomington, MN (800)228-7349 a call and order one of his "light kits' for your specific model bus! They run about $100.00 bucks for the kit. It is a very nice plastic box with little compartments to keep the bulb separated, and it has like 4 or 5 of each and every bulb your specific coach uses, and it has them listed on the lid by # and where it is used! Very well worth the $. Also JD will have the correct flasher for it too!

BK

RJ · September 23, 2008, 10:20:59 PM

Rick -

IIRC, on the MC-9s that were in the fleet at the time, the turn signal/hazard flasher was mounted on the front corner vertical post almost directly to the left opposite where your pinkie toe would be when you first put your foot on the clutch pedal but before you depressed it. Nestled into the front curvature of the coach, just below the underside of the dash. A round sliver canister thing, similar to an auto's but HD and 24v. Held in place with a circular spring clip, and, because of it's location, you'd have to use a stubby phillips screwdriver to get the clip off the post.

(Obviously, if your coach has an automatic there's no clutch pedal, but it gives you a clue where to look.)

Also a good suggestion from BK about that light kit from JD. . .

FWIW & HTH. . .

Busted Knuckle · September 23, 2008, 10:35:18 PM

RJ so that is where a properly maintained one is supposed to be located huh? LOL! Of all of them I have worked on there may have been 2 that still had and used the clip! LOL!
Some just had a flasher dangling, some had them cramed into a wiring hornets nest, some had them shoved as far as the could reach up into the dash, some had been carfully relocated out to the side panel, and some had been half a**ed moved out to the side panel and were just laying around waiting to short something out! FWIW

BK

It'd been so long since I found 1 in the proper location I'd forgotten where it was! LOL!

buswarrior · September 25, 2008, 03:21:42 PM

You really want the flasher inside and under the dash somewhere...otherwise you'll be driving down the road with the turn signals flashing mile after mile, as you won't be able to hear it clicking with the road noise....

All the 24 volt flashers I've seen are the same diameter as our old automobile round ones, only double the length, and the MCI has three spade connections, not two.

There are also more modern solid state ones that are square boxes with some heat dissipating ribs on the sides.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

RickB · September 25, 2008, 06:05:16 PM

Thanks guys, I have flashers and turn signals again!!! Found that pesky flasher unit it was hidden away to the left of the hi-lo beam footswitch. The signals just happened to start working for a couple minutes so I found it and cleaned the connectors and Voila! they work again. It certainly appears to be a heavy duty unit.
I am grateful for your help... Rick

Busted Knuckle · September 26, 2008, 07:52:00 AM

Quote from: RickB on September 25, 2008, 06:05:16 PM
Thanks guys, I have flashers and turn signals again!!! Found that pesky flasher unit it was hidden away to the left of the hi-lo beam footswitch. The signals just happened to start working for a couple minutes so I found it and cleaned the connectors and Voila! they work again. It certainly appears to be a heavy duty unit.
I am grateful for your help... Rick

Cool now call JD and order that light kit! LOL!

BK

BW you are absolutely correct on WANTING the flasher inside where it can be heard. Although I see many times when a driver doesn't hear it as they go down the road for miles and miles blinking! So just because it's inside doesn't mean you'll hear it! (of course it is possible they have been relocated on the buses I see too!)
Now something that has been done to the last bus we acquired (which yes I sadly admit it is an MCI) is that someone has wired the low air buzzer into it. So that when the turn signals or flashers are on it burzes at you. Very hard to miss! Dad an I are considering it on all our buses!

But the key point I keep pointing out to dad is that Lancer (our insurance carrier) has sent out a notice before, requiring that ALL turn signal self cancelling devices be in working order on all buses insured by them! (so my theory is if it is in compliance than there is no need to monkey with it! LOL!)

BK