TheSamba.com :: View topic - what are the P L X terminals on a 4 prong flasher

Tue Dec 07, 2010 3:49 pm

ive look at diagrams and found nothing!

Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:40 pm

4 terminals? You only listed three.

P = Pilot (dash light, same as kBl)
L = Load (turn switch, same as 49a)
X = + (power in, same as 49)

By the way, the last time I saw an aftermarket 4-terminal relay the Pilot terminal was not configured for the "ass-backward" function of the "kBl" VW turn signal arrow light. It was sending 12V pulses - but for the dash light to come on, you have to have "ground pulses" so to speak, or "ground/open/ground/open" - if you get "12V/open/12V/open" the dash light will not come on.

-Andy

Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:44 pm

thank you!!
but the 4th one has no letter just a rivit

Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:46 pm

Me, I'd just get a VW/Euro-spec flasher instead, 49, 49a and 31 and connect your dash light up to 49a. That's what VW went to in 1971-72 and stayed with from then til the late 1990s.

-Andy

Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:49 pm

i have a 71 standard, and this was in it when i bought it 2 years ago but out of no where my turn signals stopped working!!
so i bought a new flasher without looking at the old one and it only had three prongs so i dont know what to do

Tue Dec 07, 2010 4:54 pm

Well, the flasher you find in auto parts stores that's the VW style I mentioned goes under the part number of "35" often - EP-35, EF-35, FL-35. It might not have the 49,49a and 31 listed on it, it might have X, L and "-" instead, but those are equivalent. Just buy a 1-into-2 "piggyback" wire terminal adapter and put it on 49a and put your blue/red dash arrow light wire there. The white wire is +49, the brown wire is 31 and the black/green/white is 49a.

Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:00 pm

ohh ok thank i will look for one tomorrow :)

Tue Dec 07, 2010 5:19 pm

does my emergency flasher switch have to be working?
the switch itself is broken??

Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:47 pm

Yes, the E-flasher switch is what sends power to the turn signal system. If it's broken (they fall apart) then it will put your turn signals out of commission too. Usually you can put the switches back together, wrap a plastic zip tie around it and get it working again. Not the ideal fix but it works.

-Andy

Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:51 am

quick question for yall. my 72 super had a 3 prong flasher, and it went out, so i had a 2 prong lying around and stuck it in there, and everything seems to work like it should. Are there any problems with this? could i be shorting something out, or am i ok? thanks

Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:38 am

The el cheapo 2 terminal ones work. But some of them take forever to warm up and start flashing - and during that time, the only light that lights up is one on the dash. Stock flasher relays make it so it lights up OUTside the car first.

-Andy