got a flasher relay question...

[Adam2980]

Ok, so let me make sure Im getting this. I can buy a flasher from an auto store and I have to take the wire fire the center slot and switch it with one of the wires on the side and then the flasher would work? I can do that. But let me tell you excatly what is going on just to make sure Im looking at the right part to replace. My right side turn signal will work perfectly and it will cancel too, but the left side will not work at all and when I turn it on i hear a clicking sound that goes away when I turn the LH signal off. Im guessing its the flasher relay, but I just want to make sure.

Thaks,
Adam

[motoman]

My right side turn signal will work perfectly and it will cancel too, but the left side will not work at all and when I turn it on i hear a clicking sound that goes away when I turn the LH signal off. Im guessing its the flasher relay, but I just want to make sure.

Thaks,
Adam

Had identical situation few years back, and it was the self-canceler. Had an extra that was good and all worked as it should. Might also go through ALL electrical connections and grounds cleaning and sealing. Be surprised at the results......JAT.

[natemoen]

TC, are you sure you NEEDED to switch the wires? A 2 print flasher fits 2 different ways in the 3 prong plug. Did you try it the other way?

Adam, I would start with cleaning electrical connections and checking voltage. No sense throwing money at a problem before making sure the problem is what you think it is.

[fredintoon]

Ok, so let me make sure Im getting this. I can buy a flasher from an auto store and I have to take the wire fire the center slot and switch it with one of the wires on the side and then the flasher would work? I can do that. But let me tell you excatly what is going on just to make sure Im looking at the right part to replace. My right side turn signal will work perfectly and it will cancel too, but the left side will not work at all and when I turn it on i hear a clicking sound that goes away when I turn the LH signal off. Im guessing its the flasher relay, but I just want to make sure.
Thaks,
Adam

Hi Adam,
there is nothing wrong with your flasher! It don't know which side it's working because the switching makes that decision. If it flashes one side and not the other the problem is elsewhere.
BTW, a 2-pin flasher plugs into the 3-pin connector either of 2 ways. One way works and the other way doesn't.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey again Adam,

Well, you've learned a little bit about ON LINE diagnostics, the more info you can provide about the problem the better we can direct to what would probably fix it. You first just stated you wanted to replace the OEM flasher, you assumed that it was broken.

NOW you tell us that it works on 1 side, but not the other. Fred informed you that the flasher IS functioning because it does flash on one side. What you may not have noticed is whether the side that does not flash...do both front and rear bulbs light up, or just 1 bulb? If just one bulb, check the one that doesn't light up, is the bulb bad? IF it's not bad, then check that socket for good GROUNDING to frame. A bad ground will prevent the bulb from lighting, and this will prevent the proper amount of current from flowing THRU the flasher to heat up and activate the FLASHING mechanism, and so it doesn't flash.

I saw your other post about your gas gauge, haven't actually read it yet, but if this bike has been sitting for while, then you should take the gas tank and seat OFF, and pull apart EVERY harness connector, inspect for corrosion, clean with Deoxit or similar contact cleaner, reassemble, use dielectric grease to help seal and protect them once they are clean. THIS will help to eliminate many/most of the electrical gremlins that you are experiencing.

And NATE, it was many years ago, but I'm positive it was an XJ, and that I tried the flasher both ways in the plug, because I had already had success with my XS11, but it woudn't work UNTIL I swapped the middle wire with one of the side ones. Again this was on an XJ, not an XS and I had been told by another Xsive that the wire swap was needed for the XJ. I haven't recently reviewed the XJ's wiring diagram to see if they are in the same location as the XS's?? I know someone posted about using the Emergency flasher from the XJ's, but not sure if it's plugs are the same location/orientation as an automotive one...load vs. power side??

T.C.

[GLoweVA]

A non-OEM flasher (or the hazard flasher) should make them flash regardless of the amount of load. (ie. some bulbs not working)
One thing I have noticed with an OEM flasher, is, if you don't have enough juice (ie voltage) then they may not flash at all.
Once, when my battery was low, my lefts would flash, but my rights would just stay lit. Once the bike was running (ie alternator putting out) then the rights would also work.

I ended up having a crappy connection in my fairing for the right signal and once I fixed that, they both blink when the bike is not running.

So, +1 on checking all the connections. My bulbs were good, cause it worked in either side. I found mine by using a meter set to read voltage and measuring what I was getting at the bulb socket and saw 9-10V vice 12 at the battery. So I knew I had a bad connection somewhere and started tracing it back up to the fairing and bike harness.

[Tom A]

XS1100E 2 prong to 3 prong oem relay problem

I have the aftermarket flasher that works and does not self cancel. I purchased and oem new 3 prong flasher. The right blinkers flash slowly but, wont cancel and the left side blinkers stay on. When I put the old 2 prong back they flash.
Any ideas on how to troubleshoot?
Thx Tom

[fredintoon]

I have the aftermarket flasher that works and does not self cancel. I purchased and oem new 3 prong flasher. The right blinkers flash slowly but, wont cancel and the left side blinkers stay on. When I put the old 2 prong back they flash.
Any ideas on how to troubleshoot?
Thx Tom

Hi Tom,
most aftermarket 2-prong flashers will work OK even with low voltage and a light load, the electronic ones even flash at the same speed regardless of load. The stock flasher needs a solid 12V and a full 54W load or it will go slow or not flash at all.
Pull apart, clean, dielectric grease and reassemble the signal wiring's every junction.
Test for voltage by boosting the bike from your car battery.
Check if the signal bulbs are 27W, not 22W car bulbs.
Swap in another canceller, yours might have died.

[GLoweVA]

Also check your indicator bulbs in the dash. If a PO put LEDs in there, that will mess up the total load.

[MaximPhil]

Also check your indicator bulbs in the dash. If a PO put LEDs in there, that will mess up the total load.

Thanks George,
that is useful information. I am considering the LED dash bulbs.....but maybe not
Phil