My 4-way won't flash

[CatatonicBug]

I know there have been countless threads on these flasher things, but none of the ones I read seem to match my situation, so I decided to start my own.

When I first got my bike, the emergency flashers worked. The turn signals work, and have always worked as well. A few months into owning and working on this thing, the 4-ways stopped working. Now, I get nothing from that circuit at all.

If the key is on, and the flasher switch is on, the turn signals don't work. I assume that is how it's supposed to be? However, the 4-ways don't work either - no light, no flashing. If I turn off the key, the 4-ways still don't work - no light, no flashing. I tested the flasher by connecting it to the turn signal circuit, and it works. I tested the wires where the 4-way flasher connects, and I have a solid 12v to BOTH wires all the time, whether the switch is turned on or not, and whether the key is on or not. That seems weird to me. I opened the handlebar switch housing, and it all looks nice in there. I cleaned it all up, and lubed the turn signal mechanism while I was in there too. None of that changed anything as far as the 4-ways go.

What am I missing?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bug,

The ER flasher circuit is energized whether the key is on or off, you can see that in the wiring diagram, and I have an 81, and was able to operate the 4way flasher with key on or off. You say you tested the 4 way flasher...I'm thinking you unplugged it and plugged it into the turn signal flasher location and the turn signals worked??

You then took the turn signal housing apart...BUT did you pull the parts out and inspect the ER/4 way flasher switch assembly beneath that?? Just like the horn/starter button, corrosion can occur preventing it from sending it's power to the lights!

The power comes from the flasher part of the circuit to the switch, and you say you have power on ALL wires at the switch, so I don't think you need to check the wires at the flasher plug, but wouldn't hurt to!

That's all I can think of. Are you still running OEM bulbs or LEDS? IF LEDs, if you replaced the turn signal flasher with an electronic one, you would need to do the same for the 4 way flasher!
T.C.

[DGXSER]

Hey Bug, Mine did not work fromt he time I got it and I finally got enough nerve to tear all the switch apart and get the hazard switch out form the depths of hatis in there.

I have the same model as TC, and my book is in the garage so I am going from memory here, I think it is the green wire with a black stripe perhaps that goes to the ER flasher switch, the connection at the switch had pulled loose, the solder was still on the wire. I snipped the old solder off and cleaned the switch connector, resoldered the connection and they work like new. Until I dug in there I would have sworn it all looked good. Perhaps you have a similar situation.

The really good part is that I also cleaned up my turn signal switch and sprayed it with WD40 and it no longer feels like I am pushing it over a mountain to signal a turn!

[CatatonicBug]

You ever have one of those times where you can't figure out the answer even after thinking about it for hours, only to figure it out right after asking someone else?

Well, I got home and thought for a minute, and decided to take the handlebar unit apart again. I figured it out, and it was exactly what you said TC. I took the switch itself apart, and this is what I found:



The spots that make contact to energize the 4-way were covered in green corrosion! So, I scrubbed it with a wire brush, and in the process, broke off 3 of the wires. I soldered them back on, re-assembled the switch, and now it works!

[redbone]

yes been there

hey cata......i had the same exact symptoms you described when i bought mine and these guys told me 'rip that switch apart'. well i 'thought' i ripped it apart far enough. still ng. then i ripped it apart further and found exactly what you found....and yes, broke the wires too. what a pain solderin them back on huh? i've come to discover with these old bikes, when lookin for electrical problems, look for crud and corrosion first before tryin for your electrical degree. good luck
redbone

[CatatonicBug]

hey cata......i had the same exact symptoms you described when i bought mine and these guys told me 'rip that switch apart'. well i 'thought' i ripped it apart far enough. still ng. then i ripped it apart further and found exactly what you found....and yes, broke the wires too. what a pain solderin them back on huh? i've come to discover with these old bikes, when lookin for electrical problems, look for crud and corrosion first before tryin for your electrical degree. good luck
redbone

I didn't have too much trouble with the soldering, once I got out the flux. A tiny dab of flux on the solder points, and it worked great. The hardest part was that the center contact was actually corroded so far that it had been eaten away a bit. I had to add a dab of solder to that contact pont so the switch would make contact.