Switch under left control

[Lonerider62]

I was working on my 80 SG today getting my wiring straight for the new headlight and turn siganls (after ditching the Vetter) and at first I had no signal 12V at all on the terminals that were supposed to be left and right siganl. I figured I'd see 12V pop up even though it woud not flash. Then, after piondering the situation, I remembered moving a switch on the bottom of the left control pod. When I moved it back to where it was, all of a sudden everything was just ducky. What is that switch for anyway?

[Cobia]

That switch is for your emergency flashers.
That circuit has it's own flasher and activates all four signal lights. Don't know why it caused all your signals to suddenly get power unless it was wired to do so by the PO.

[crazy steve]

Cobia is correct; that's your 4-way flashers. But when the flashers are turned on, the switch disconnects power to the turns, so everything is normal...

[Lonerider62]

Thanks, Never would have thought of that and my user's manual is an August 78 version and didn't see any mention of the 4-way mechanism.

[crazy steve]

Those showed up on the '80 models, so the early manuals aren't helpful on that...

[Barnfresh]

The 4-ways only flash when the key is turned all the way left - maybe the lock position? You can then take the key out and leave them flashing. They don't work when the bike is running.

[crazy steve]

Hmmmm... the 4-ways on the SG I sold worked all the time; key on/off, bike running or not...

[cywelchjr]

The 4-ways only flash when the key is turned all the way left - maybe the lock position? You can then take the key out and leave them flashing. They don't work when the bike is running.

Incorrect. I use my 4ways on escort runs with the PGR with the bike running, and the wiring for them is stock. They run at ANY time, and override the normal turn signal system just like on a car. You can indeed run the 4ways while riding down the road if needed, such as if for some reason you are only able to run at low speed such as when limping in to the nearest location for emergency repairs or support.

[Brent]

4 way flashers - 80SG

Hmmmm... the 4-ways on the SG I sold worked all the time; key on/off, bike running or not...

Seems like mine did too. Then they quit working. And when turned on no turn signal either. I just tried turning the key all the way counterclockwise. Tail light came on, but no 4-ways. Once, I looked in there at that switch. It seemed to be a little delicate, may be too fragile for a clumsy hand.. Turn signals work. Good enough to ride.

[cywelchjr]

Seems like mine did too. Then they quit working. And when turned on no turn signal either. I just tried turning the key all the way counterclockwise. Tail light came on, but no 4-ways. Once, I looked in there at that switch. It seemed to be a little delicate, may be too fragile for a clumsy hand.. Turn signals work. Good enough to ride.

That can be caused by either the solder joints on the switch coming loose, a common problem, or by the contacts in the switch getting burned up (not sure if that's common or not, but it happened to me and my switch had to be replaced). Both can be fixed, but in any case the position of the ignition switch has nothing to do with the function of that switch.

[GLoweVA]

Be careful. Like those above have said, those solder joints are a PITA! I know.
A few weeks ago, I took my turn signal switch apart to clean up the contacts and as I was trying to get all that stuff back in there, one of those wires for the hazards came right off the solder joint.
My little soldering iron couldn't get the thing hot enough to melt the solder, so I had to go out and get a gun.
But now, that was too much heat, as I was going, the plastic started to melt. almost a full day wasted F'ing with this thing.
And BTW while I was doing all this, my left mirror(glass) fell out of its housing.
Good thing it didn't break or that'd be 7yrs bad luck instead of just one day.

[cywelchjr]

That was your problem, you went from too little heat to too much. My soldering iron is right in the correct range and was able to do the job without damaging the switch but was able to give me a good solid solder joint that should last another 30 years, a which either one of my children or grandchildren should be riding the bike (then again I know a guy who is still riding regularly and is in his 80's, and is planning his 100 year birthday ride ). If I'm still riding it then, I'm sure I'll have a sidecar on it like Fredintoon does .

[DGXSER]

The only light that is affected by the key switch being turned all the way left, to the parking position SHOULD be the rear tail light, should burn in normal (non-brake) level. The 4-way flashers as has been stated did not arrive on the XS11 scene until 1980. Those work all the time, key on or off, bike running or not, by hitting that swith to on position. As Steve indicated, turning those on, disables the regular flasher signal.

I have had to resolder that wire on every left switch I have ever worked on. It is a PITA.

[Brent]

modifications by gremlins

The only light that is affected by the key switch being turned all the way left, to the parking position SHOULD be the rear tail light, should burn in normal (non-brake) level. The 4-way flashers as has been stated did not arrive on the XS11 scene until 1980. Those work all the time, key on or off, bike running or not, by hitting that swith to on position. As Steve indicated, turning those on, disables the regular flasher signal.

I have had to resolder that wire on every left switch I have ever worked on. It is a PITA.

Thanks to all for clarifications re switch on 80XS1100SG.
But 4-way flashers "work all the time" Ha Ha. True in the last century, not now. Seems some gremlins have converted my 4-way flasher switch to a "turn signal shut off switch, for use in case of turn signal stuck on."
Still better than a 79 or many modern bikes.

And that is how it will stay (mirrors still OK), ...until I think I can solder pretty good. But for now, I have already met my annual quota for PITA projects. Confirmed -just as I suspected a PITA... ease it back together Live with it. First thing to check when trouble shooting no turn signals...The turn signal disable switch, (only in my imagination, not on wiring diagram)

Barnfresh,
Keep us posted re projects, progress & updates. Good luck wrenching & happy motoring.

[Barnfresh]

Well, I stand corrected. I went and checked and the flashers do work in any key position if I push, wiggle and play with the switch. I think they are just a few switches away from crumbling to pieces. Now you guys have me scared to mess with them! I don't want anything to burn up, melt down, stop working, short out... and especially don't want my mirrors to fall off!