[VT-VX] Blinkers won't flash - how to fix flasher relay

[Alspos]

VT-VY - Blinkers won't flash at all, blinkers slowly flash and over time stop completely? Don't replace the flasher relay when you can replace one part and give it new life.


What you need :

Soldering iron, solder sucker (but you can just flick the solder off if you don't have it) flat screwdrivers, 10uF capacitor (Jaycar, RE6075, 63V 10uF. $0.30) but check the value on your device, it may differ from model to model

Method :

Pull the flasher relay from under the dash.
Pry open the flasher can with screwdrivers, the plastic top presses on, but it can be a bit awkward to get off.
Unsolder the capacitor, make note where the arrow points on the capacitor, they are polarity sensitive. Get as much solder off as possible so you can get the new capacitor into the holes in the PCB.
Put new capacitor in the holes, bend the legs out slightly to hold it in place. Solder it in, trim the legs off.
Put the lid back on.

Before

The capacitor to be replaced

Finished

 

[Alspos]

Well....the problem reappeared, but not as bad as before. So I decided to pull the cover and watch what was happening. The contacts were sticking, and when looking closer at them I noticed a fair chunk of metal on the brass contact. I think this was hooking itself on to the other side of the contact.

So.....back into the relay I go.

Carefully pull up the braid that runs around the hinge/contact. Move it up so you can get the contact free.

Unhook the spring using long nose pliers. Don't lose it or the insulator sleeve.

Move the contact out and carefully file off the crap that has accumulated on the brass contact.

Once it's smooth, put it back into place, pull the braid back over the top of the hinge and reattach the spring and insulator. Test the flasher before you put the cover back on, you may have to bend the brass contact in slightly to make contact with the other side again.