Converting from thermal to electronic flashers
Posted on Jan 27, 2009 by Zane Merva in How To
“Electronic Flasher? What’s that?”, most people ask me. Basically, that noise you hear, that click click, whenever you use your turn signals is coming from a “flasher”. Older vehicles (and a few newer ones) use thermal flashers. They use heat to switch on and off. Newer vehicles use electronic flashers. They use microchips to control the on/off function.
Why would you want to switch? Well, first off, electronic flashers are compatible with older systems, but thermal flashers are not compatible with new systems. Eventually your thermal flasher will burn out(it may be 100,000 miles or more), and will be replaced. Electronic Flashers do not burn out, and provide a crisper and faster “flash” of your turn signals”. Another reason might be if you’re upgrading to LED tail lamps, or lights. These newer LED bulbs only work with electronic flashers.
How do you know what type of flasher you have? The easiest way is to look at the type of bulb you use in your tail lamps and turn signals. If it is a “wedge” style (plastic base, flat and rectangular), you have an electronic flasher. If you have a “twist and turn” bayonet style bulb, then you can use both.
It’s very easy to upgrade your flasher. After going to the local auto parts store and buying the proper part (usually $13 or so), turn the accessory key on, and turn on a turn signal.
Try to listen to where the clicking sound is coming from under your dash (sometimes feeling for the click is better than hearing it). Remove the kick panel from the general area that the clicking sound is coming from (usually a few screws).
Look around until you find the flasher (should be small and either rectangular or circular). It may be simply plugged into a wire harness.
Simply swap out the new flasher for the old one.
Quickly verify that all turn signals still work, and replace all removed panels.
That’s it, your done! Easy, huh?
No related posts.
