BigRonDawg

Hi Honda-Tech, it's been a while.

So my 5th Gen Prelude has been giving me turn signal/hazard issues. Pretty much only when it's cold, they click really inconsistently or stop working all together. They'll randomly work then stop working again.

After checking everything... bulbs were good, fuses, and wiring all checked out. The last thing was this dreaded flasher relay.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148257.../in/datetaken/

Honda wanted $180 with about a 2 month wait time. (hell no)
RockAuto wanted $80. (still not content with that)

So I researched the Service Manual and just rewired 2 cheap-o 3 prong flashers in its place:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148257.../in/datetaken/

I thought I'd share the wiring configuration to wire up the flashers to allow your signals to work for about $14... a pretty good savings. The pic is a 3 prong flasher from my old civic, but I paid $7 each on eBay for non-hyper flash ones so I could install LED signal lights. If you order from China and wait probably more like $4 each. And... the best part--it works flawlessly! Essentially, the big 6 prong flasher relay is just 2 relays wired to blink in sync. Each 3 prog will control a side. When you use our hazards, i recommend using the exact same flasher for each side, because they aren't synced anymore in this configuration and your hazards will blink like they had one too many . Using 2 exact flashers made mine blink almost in sync. I'm sure it's possible for them to get out of sync eventually, but for the savings, it's not that critical to me. Especially since I don't drive around with my hazards on the daily.

What you'll need:
2 three prong signal flashers
6 three to four inch pieces of wire
6 female crimp on spade connectors
5 male crimp on spade connectors
2 zip ties
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148257...posted-public/

Tools:
Wire strippers/cutters:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148257.../in/datetaken/
Patience (very tight quarters making it not easy to get the spades in the flasher plug spots)

Prep:
4 extensions (one male to one female)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148257.../in/datetaken/

1 pig tail (one male to two females)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148257.../in/datetaken/

Directions:
Now because the 3 prongs are not setup identical to the 6 prong (obviously), you will have to use the male part of the extensions/pigtails to plug into the fuse box spot where the flasher resides and then connect the females to each individual 3 prong flasher relay. Like such:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148257.../in/datetaken/

Here is where the extensions/pigtails need to go:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/148257...posted-public/

Once all wired up, give it a go. Don't forget to turn your ignition on or your turn signals won't work. Hazards work though so use that if you don't want to put the keys in. If everything is working well, zip tie the relays up and out of the way of your feet.

Good Luck!

302LVR

Nice write-up. I'll keep it in mind in case i ever come across this issue. More than anything because i find it ridiculous to pay $180 for a flasher which is similar to a $5 relay.