Can't figure this out

[bikerphil]

There is a reed switch in the speedo that communicates with the turn signal cancelling unit and the special flasher relay. Working together, these components sense distance travelled and/or time to determine the proper time to cancel the signals. Plenty of reading if you type "reed switch" in the search box. I can't tell you "exactly" how it works though.

[crazy steve]

This is something I have never understood or investigated. How exactly does it know when to shut off?

The speedo has a reed switch inside it that 'counts' turns of the cable by switching on/off. The canceller unit keeps track of these and 'decides' when to shut off the signals. It's not a straight total count either; the unit does a speed/distance calculation also....

[81sx1100]

The speedo has a reed switch inside it that 'counts' turns of the cable by switching on/off. The canceller unit keeps track of these and 'decides' when to shut off the signals. It's not a straight total count either; the unit does a speed/distance calculation also....

ok where is this switch again? and is it replaceable?

[crazy steve]

ok where is this switch again? and is it replaceable?

Well, on my '78 it's mounted on the back of the speedo (a small black plastic rectangular thingy with two wires) and is supposedly replaceable. Your newer speedo doesn't show it as a separate part, so it must be internal. In any case, there's a green/white wire that goes from the switch to the canceller for this. The other side of the switch goes to ground. To check this, hook a meter between the G/W wire and ground and turn the speedo; if the meter swings between 0 and infinity as you turn, the switch is good.

But it doesn't matter if this switch is good or not for turn signal operation; all this does is send a signal so the canceller can decide when to turn the turn signals off. If it's failed, you simply have to cancel them manually. If you're running a non-stock flasher, you'll have to do this anyway.

After re-reading all these posts, I really think your problem is the flasher, or more correctly, the flasher wiring. One thing that was mentioned (then dismissed) is the wiring at the flasher. Try swapping the Y/G and Br/W wires at the flasher plug; when I swapped an automotive unit for mine (to tow a trailer), mine did just what yours are doing until I traded these...

[81sx1100]

Well, on my '78 it's mounted on the back of the speedo (a small black plastic rectangular thingy with two wires) and is supposedly replaceable. Your newer speedo doesn't show it as a separate part, so it must be internal. In any case, there's a green/white wire that goes from the switch to the canceller for this. The other side of the switch goes to ground. To check this, hook a meter between the G/W wire and ground and turn the speedo; if the meter swings between 0 and infinity as you turn, the switch is good.

But it doesn't matter if this switch is good or not for turn signal operation; all this does is send a signal so the canceller can decide when to turn the turn signals off. If it's failed, you simply have to cancel them manually. If you're running a non-stock flasher, you'll have to do this anyway.

After re-reading all these posts, I really think your problem is the flasher, or more correctly, the flasher wiring. One thing that was mentioned (then dismissed) is the wiring at the flasher. Try swapping the Y/G and Br/W wires at the flasher plug; when I swapped an automotive unit for mine (to tow a trailer), mine did just what yours are doing until I traded these...

Ok thanks i will try that this Saturday and that's the flasher on the side right? not the one for the 4 ways the round one under the seat?

[crazy steve]

My '78 doesn't have 4-ways, so I'll assume that the 'regular' flasher is in the same place on the right side. The flasher I used was a 3-prong 'electromechanical' unit that is designed to flash any number of lamps, up to 9 IIRC. These may even flash LEDs, but there wasn't any in those days...

[81sx1100]

Ok thanks i will try that this Saturday and that's the flasher on the side right? not the one for the 4 ways the round one under the seat?

Well checked the switch in the speedo and atc area it seems to be fine and still not blinking well it looks like wire by wire for me this winter but what can ya do lol thanks for all the help everyone i will post the resalts as the become avalable

[cywelchjr]

Well checked the switch in the speedo and atc area it seems to be fine and still not blinking well it looks like wire by wire for me this winter but what can ya do lol thanks for all the help everyone i will post the resalts as the become avalable

Did you try a two prong electronic flasher? Even with nos the flasher could be bad. It's one of the reasons I switched. AFAIK the auto cancel can only make it go right off or never go off, not make it not flash.

[81sx1100]

Did you try a two prong electronic flasher? Even with nos the flasher could be bad. It's one of the reasons I switched. AFAIK the auto cancel can only make it go right off or never go off, not make it not flash.

you mean the one on the side or the one under the seat? i replaced the one under the seat with an auto flasher and the one on the side with an OEM flasher relay so what one are you talking about?

[3Phase]

81sx, the 3-pole flasher on the side by the fuse block is the Signal flasher. The 2-pole flasher under the seat is the Hazard flasher.

You can check the Signal flasher by putting the Hazard flasher in its place. Make sure the two tabs plug into the Brown and the Brown/White wires in the 3-pole connector. The Brown wire is the supply wire from the Signal fuse; Brown/White goes to the turn signal switch on the left handlebar control; Yellow/Green goes to the auto-cancel black box.

The auto-cancel black box can make the Signals fail to light; had it happen twice now on two different bikes. Fortunately, it's easy to test the auto-canceler: unplug the auto-canceler and the signals will work but they won't auto-cancel. If that doesn't fix it, the problem is somewhere else!

[81sx1100]

81sx, the 3-pole flasher on the side by the fuse block is the Signal flasher. The 2-pole flasher under the seat is the Hazard flasher.

You can check the Signal flasher by putting the Hazard flasher in its place. Make sure the two tabs plug into the Brown and the Brown/White wires in the 3-pole connector. The Brown wire is the supply wire from the Signal fuse; Brown/White goes to the turn signal switch on the left handlebar control; Yellow/Green goes to the auto-cancel black box.

The auto-cancel black box can make the Signals fail to light; had it happen twice now on two different bikes. Fortunately, it's easy to test the auto-canceler: unplug the auto-canceler and the signals will work but they won't auto-cancel. If that doesn't fix it, the problem is somewhere else!

No i haven't tried that but i will use the 4 way flasher to test this but i did replace that relay flasher. actually i replaced both of them thanks

[Kit]

...still not blinking well it looks like wire by wire for me this winter but what can ya do lol thanks for all the help everyone i will post the resalts as the become avalable

Just wondering if you ever figured out the issue, as I am having the same problem. I haven't tried all of these suggestions yet, but will over the next couple of days. If you've figured it out, it might save me from a lot of trial and error.

[thecamelman79]

Go to the parts store and ask the guys there for a pint of Blinker fluid.

[Kit]

Yup, I've sent people out after that before. Good times. It's even better when the store plays along, says they're out, and recommends a different store.

[thecamelman79]

LMAO.

I sent an old girl friend for 'blinker fluid" when she called and told me they weren't working. Went to her house after work started poking around the car looking for fuzes, blubs, wiring, etc.
She come by right about the time I figured out what was wrong and was absoulty livid with me!

Aprently the first store played along (like you described) and sent her to another store. The second guy just laughed at her