brake lights as indicators. wiring help?

Hertz www.melburgluft.com

1,080 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 1 Aug 2006, 8:18 pm

#517878

was thinking of wiring my taillights (snowflakes) so that the brake or tail light flashes as the indicator. Just wondering if anyone has done it, or knows if it can be done without upsetting the whole show. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Josh.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 1 Aug 2006, 10:49 pm

#518002

Indicators started in the USA in the 40s
as You described....
The stop lamp flashes...
Brakes on... one stop lamp stays on
other one flashes...
How it was done, I'm not sure...
I think the 1957-58 Holden may have had these.
they added the amber bit in 1959
I think... long time ago...

I think the 57> Beetle in the USA had these blinkers too
they had the round front blinkers on the front guards..
but nothing at the back except the oval red tail lamps...

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

blutopless2 DAMSLO

2,457 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 2 Aug 2006, 8:51 am

#518080

you would need to rewire the indicator system. Have 2 relays to control the brake/indicator function (one for left one for right). When the indicator is off the NC contacts on the relay power the brake light, when the indicator is operated the relay switches the NO contacts on and grounds out the flasher unit through the brake lamp and you get a flashing brake lamp. had to do the same set up to make my semaphores flash.

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VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 2 Aug 2006, 9:51 am

#518095

Only legal in Aus on pre-61 cars (I think) as an original installation: ie: You can't legally do it to an Aussie car. But try sourcing a US-spec 1950s VW wiring diagram...

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68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 2 Aug 2006, 11:34 am

#518117

US cars may have had extra contacts on their blinker switches

Like type 3s that have the small red/clear light on front guards - parking lamps
they only worked with the ignition off and then the blinker arm turned them on

Some countries in Europe require cars parked to have a parking lamp/s on at night.

Many Mercedes and BMWs can switch the left or right parking lamps on individually
I saw a late model Mercedes a few days ago with the right side parking lamps on..

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

jnr356 Wolfsburg Wizard

603 posts · joined Jan 2004 · 2 Aug 2006, 7:33 pm

#518236

i'll try and get a 356 wiring diagram josh

shaihulud Custom Title Time!

1,448 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 2 Aug 2006, 8:12 pm

#518253

My understanding is that red lights may not flash. Only amber for indicators.

Strictly speaking, flashing red lights on bicycles is illegal, but because they are so visible and make for greater safety, the police either have a rule for bicycles only or they ignore them.

shaihulud Custom Title Time!

1,448 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 2 Aug 2006, 8:17 pm

#518257

Also 1960s Mercedes used to have a system that caused the brake lights to flash a few times and then go continuously on, every time that the brakes were applied.

Maybe that would be a cool option that is possibly not "agin the rules" and it would make for greater safety.

Sometimes I feel a need to flash my brake lights if I think that the car behind is approaching me too fast if I am unexpectedly slowing or stationary.

Hertz www.melburgluft.com

1,080 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 2 Aug 2006, 8:52 pm

#518266

Thanks everyone, will have to look into it some more. Will need a wiring diagram for sure. Mark that would be great if you could find one.

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HGFS Wolfsburg Wizard

531 posts · joined Feb 2005 · 3 Aug 2006, 12:44 am

#518378

68AutoBug wrote:
Many Mercedes and BMWs can switch the left or right parking lamps on individually
I saw a late model Mercedes a few days ago with the right side parking lamps on..

Lee

With those cars when you turn the car off, if you leave one of the indicators on then the parking lights (front and back) on that side will stay on. Got a feeling it happens with Porsches too so maybe its a German/Euro thing. Handy if you're parked on a dark road and you want people to see your car instead of hitting it.
I used to have a 73 BMW 520 and it did this, dunno how it was wired though.
Found a wiring diagram for a 55-57 bug which shows the indicator wiring going to the stop bulbs, can't see any relays in the way just terminal strips. Didn't trace it for too long but must be wired some way so that the flashing bit over-rides the stop signal, hope it shows up OK I had to reduce it a fair bit to post it.

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Hertz www.melburgluft.com

1,080 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 3 Aug 2006, 9:23 pm

#518654

Thanks heaps for that Greg. Appreciate the effort involved. I had a feeling that they just hooked up to the brake bulbs, but was not sure. Still not 100% but now there's only one way to know for sure. Will sus it out this weekend. Cheers guys.

[ Edited on 3-8-2006 by Hertz ]

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geodon Wolfsburg Wizard

478 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Aug 2006, 11:12 pm

#518696

I ran a '48 Morgan 4-seater in the 70's & it had been wired so the stop lights flashed as indicators. If u stood on the brakes with an idicator on, the stop light relating to the turning direction flashed. U need diodes in the circuit so the current doesn't bleed to the other stop light. I'm fairly sure the FE holdens did likewise. Search for the FE wiring diagram & u may find what u need. Early MGA"s with the single Morris Minor type taillight do the the same- but they have a flasher can the size & complexity of a voltage regulator- more of Joseph Lucas's great work (not!)

Hertz www.melburgluft.com

1,080 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 4 Aug 2006, 10:02 pm

#518920

Yeah I was thinking about using diodes actually, so that only one side would flash at a time. Cool.

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