Just took the direction signal flasher out to change it...

[Stallion]

My direction signal wasn't working, so I took the flasher out from under the dash. But, not only was there a flasher, but also on the male-end of the flasher terminals there was a capacitor (.47 MFD 100 W.V.D.C.).

In the Assembly Manual and the Service Manual, it says nothing and shows nothing about this capacitor. I went to Pep Boys and got the replacement flasher (552 12V DOT), but I don't know what to do about this capacitor. Pep Boys not only didn't have the capacitor, but he had no idea why it would be there.

Why is it here when no official documents say anything about it? What should I do? The last thing I want to do is burn out something electrical or get a short or something. Please help!

If I'm not really explaining how this looks, and you can't picture what I'm talking about, please tell me and I'll take a digital picture of the capacitor and flasher

Thanks!

Stallion

BTW, my flasher in there already (the burned out one) is a 552 12V DOT, and I got a cheap replacement 552 12V DOT, but there is a flasher at Ecklers. What do you suggest? I don't want to go cheap on the flasher (no use in saving a couple of bucks and then frying your electrical system), but would that be too precautionary? Am I fine with this $2 no-name flasher from Pep Boys?

Thanks again!

 

[Yoda]

TR,

Check out this Website Diagram

The capacitor is for noise reduction, esp. for the AM portion of your radio. The capacitor is standard and still available through your local Chevy Dealership parts department.

You can leave it off and chances are your AM radio will pick up static esp. when your signal lights are on. The capacitor acts as a filter

Bud

 

[Stallion]

So, if I understand you correctly, then I don't need this capacitor here? It only gets ride of the noise on the radio? So, for now I can take it off and my circuit will be okay...?

And, should I replace it? I assume that it is my flasher that went bad, and I'm guessing that the capacitor is still good. If I put the capacitor back in the circuit, how will I know if it is still "good"?

Thanks!

 

[KOPBET]

I assume that it is my flasher that went bad, and I'm guessing that the capacitor is still good. If I put the capacitor back in the circuit, how will I know if it is still "good"?

Thanks!

The flasher and the capacitor would likely fail open circuit. The capacitor can be checked with an ohm meter for a short or open. Try to use an analog meter if possible so you can see the needle deflect (albeit minor). If shorts were present, the turn signal would remain on with no flash and you would easily notice it.

If you put the cap back in remember to observe its polarity.

 

[Yoda]

Correct .. you don't need the capacitor, or I should rephrase that to say.. your Silver Anny doesn't need it for normal operations ...

If the flasher fixes your signal problem, and you hear static in the AM esp. at the lower and higher ends of the AM Band, put the capacitor in and see what happens

You can use an ohm meter to check the capacitor, it will first appear as an open circuit but will start to charge with dc applied to it My guess is the capacitor is fine, I think it is paper wound capacitor and not an oil filled one, most paper caps when they go bad will have burn marks on the ends or the capacitor will actually blow up, much like a firecracker.. paper everywhere.

Bud

 

[Stallion]

Okay, I put the flasher in without the capacitor and we are back in business. It works. Thanks, everybody!

Stallion

 

[JonM]

Okay, I put the flasher in without the capacitor and we are back in business. It works. Thanks, everybody!

Stallion

Jesse James has a box of MAC tools for you and a Monster Garage CD