Flasher Unit for 1986 280i-Seeking a louder unit!

[MCWEDGE]

Does anyone know of a louder flasher unit than the Lucas 35080A that came stock in my 1986 280i (US). MCWEDGE is a bit loud, and sometimes the turn signals get left on by mistake because the light on the dash is barely visible and I can't hear the flasher unit.

I've found the following cross reference numbers (among many others, but these seem the most valid), but before I order I'd like to know if they'll be any louder:

Bosch 0 335 200 038
Hella 4DB 003 750-73

Thanks,

Jim McPhee
Placitas, New Mexico, USA

[Penelope Stopit]

How about wiring up a beeper?

https://www.amazon.com/turn-signal-beeper/s?k=turn...

[MCWEDGE]

Thanks for the suggestion. A great idea. Do you, or anyone else know, how best to wire in a beeper like that? At 70 years old, I lack the flexibility to do too much under under the dash. I was hoping for a one-for-one flasher unit swap.

[phillpot]

I think these are good. Adjustable so no annoying loud buzz as soon as you indicate but will start buzzing if indicators on for longer than set time.

Adjustable buzzer

[MCWEDGE]

Those are a great idea. I didn't even know that adjustable beepers were even an option!

[adam quantrill]

If you add a relay and a couple of diodes too you could make it buzz if you leave the lights on with the ignition off, as an extra feature.

[phillpot]

adam quantrill said:

If you add a relay and a couple of diodes too you could make it buzz if you leave the lights on with the ignition off, as an extra feature.

Wiring diagram please

[Penelope Stopit]

MCWEDGE said:

Thanks for the suggestion. A great idea. Do you, or anyone else know, how best to wire in a beeper like that? At 70 years old, I lack the flexibility to do too much under under the dash. I was hoping for a one-for-one flasher unit swap.

Glad to possibly be of some help

Connect black of beeper to terminal 31 of flasher unit and red of beeper to terminal 49a

[MCWEDGE]

Penelope,

Well, that "sounds" easy enough to have the flasher "sound off". I will definitely give it a try and post back here with the results.

[Penelope Stopit]

MCWEDGE said:

Penelope,

Well, that "sounds" easy enough to have the flasher "sound off". I will definitely give it a try and post back here with the results.

My apologies, have spotted a possible problem with the above method

Will post something better shortly

PM sent

[Penelope Stopit]

This first method should work but it does depend upon the characteristics of the now fitted flasher unit (some differ from others), no harm can be done even if the beeper or indicators fail to operate correctly

Connect black beeper cable to flasher unit terminal 49a

Connect red beeper cable to flasher unit terminal 49

---

Method 2 if the above method falls over in any way

Replace original 3 terminal flasher unit with the following 4 pin type flasher unit

The extra terminal is C which will flash a warning light or beep/beep/beep...... a beeper

Connect black beeper cable to flasher unit terminal 31

Connect red beeper cable to flasher unit terminal C

https://www.vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk/c-219-rela...

[KelvinatorNZ]

I believe you can also replace the indicator telltale light with an LED to make it brighter. Been meaning to do it to mine but cant be bothered removing the dash trim.

[adam quantrill]

Or eBay item 254476700262 you wouldn't miss that!

[MCWEDGE]

I'm not finding "254476700262" on eBay. What is it?

Replacing the dashboard indicator lights is certainly an option that I am considering. Especially because the VDO odometers, both trip and cumulative, are acting up. At ambient temps below about 60 f, they work fine. Above that they both fail to turn/record. They just plain stop! Speedometer always works fine.

Since I'm going to have to pull the instrument panel out to remove the speedo head to get it repaired, I'm going to see about replacing those indicator lights with LEDs.