turn signal and 4 way problems

[dschmitta]

Hey everyone. Own 1980 xs1100g. Lately having problem with turn signals and 4 ways. When I turn on signals, either L or R, they stay solid. If I cancel by pushing in and try again, they seem to work, until I slow or stop. As to 4 ways, when I put them on, the right side will flash and after awhile, they both start working. BUT, when they both start working, the R side rear turn signal will go totally dark, no blink, no light? Any ideas? Thanks for any help By the way, forgot to mention, bike still has self cancelling unit

[natemoen]

I would say you should start with the cheap checks and start cleaning electrical connections and checking the battery and charging system.

[natemoen]

That's right, you just for your charging system working again. I still say you need to starring pulling apart and cleaning every connecrion. Start in the headlight butler and work your way to the tail light. And clean every ground and the switches on the bars.

[CatatonicBug]

Check battery voltage first. If that checks out, take the handlebar switch apart and clean all the contacts and check for lose solder connections. Lube it with dielectric grease when you're done cleaning. As Nate mentioned, check the grounds, and especially the connections for the lamps themselves, and where the handlebar switch connects to the wiring harness (under the tank, left side).

[dschmitta]

Check battery voltage first. If that checks out, take the handlebar switch apart and clean all the contacts and check for lose solder connections. Lube it with dielectric grease when you're done cleaning. As Nate mentioned, check the grounds, and especially the connections for the lamps themselves, and where the handlebar switch connects to the wiring harness (under the tank, left side).

When I take connections apart, what should I use to clean prongs and such? Is there a spray cleaner or something like that to use? Thanks guys!

P.S. I took the cover off of the headlamp, but was having real hard time geetting to the connection because of the rubber cover. I tried hard to back that off, to no avail. How does THAT thing come off?

[justme1100]

Spray cleaner

Yes there is a special elec. connection cleaner. Just go to your local auto parts store, hardware store or even Wally World (aka Walmart)

[CatatonicBug]

When I take connections apart, what should I use to clean prongs and such? Is there a spray cleaner or something like that to use? Thanks guys!

P.S. I took the cover off of the headlamp, but was having real hard time geetting to the connection because of the rubber cover. I tried hard to back that off, to no avail. How does THAT thing come off?

Rubber cover? The connector itself IS rubber. It may be a struggle to get it to let go, but it should wiggle off. Maybe a soak in PB Blaster will help it?

As for the contact cleaner, there are lots of cheap options at auto parts stores, but my favorite is Deoxit. It's rather expensive, and I have not been able to get it at a store, but it actually dissolves the corrosion (looks like Hydrogen Peroxide on a cut) on the contacts instead of just cleaning the dirt off.

[dschmitta]

Rubber cover? The connector itself IS rubber. It may be a struggle to get it to let go, but it should wiggle off. Maybe a soak in PB Blaster will help it?

As for the contact cleaner, there are lots of cheap options at auto parts stores, but my favorite is Deoxit. It's rather expensive, and I have not been able to get it at a store, but it actually dissolves the corrosion (looks like Hydrogen Peroxide on a cut) on the contacts instead of just cleaning the dirt off.

Thanks for info. Went to local store and got self dissolving electrical cleaner. Will use with caution so dries correctly. I wanted to check stator repair from the other day, so checked battery charge, down again. Took bike to garage,side covers off and found loose butt connection! I rode today for a few hours, and since I didn't get the crimping tight, must have worked loose. Since seat is off already, I'll just pull tank and clean all connections anyway. If known, are there lots of grounds to check? I have wiring schems, but to me it's like reading a foreign language. Thanks everyone for your help.

[b.walker5]

Be careful with your spray electrical cleaner. Not all are plastic safe and could damage your connectors. Read the label before spraying.

[natemoen]

The main grounds that I know of are the battery to the frame, another on the rear of the.engine to the frame and the the handelbar switches to the bars, turn signals ground through their mount. Could be more but those are.the main ones.