Turn signal help please...

[grabberblue]

My left turn signal does not work, when i played with it yesturday while the bike was sitting on center stand I got them working.
When I went for a test ride they did not. The emergency flashers all work, so connections are good. The right side turn signals are working most of the time, sometimes they do not flash though, any ideas, or has anyone else experienced these symptoms?TIA
John

[Ken Talbot]

Electrical gremlins

[crunchbird]

The first thing to do is to clean the parts inside the switch. When you open it up, make a note how the little pieces stack up. (!) My memory is that I steel-wooled both the curved flat piece that the button moves, and the bent-up contacts on both sides. The bent-up contacts may need tweaking to make good contact. Very satisfying little job.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Grabber,

The Emergency Flasher circuit is a separate flasher unit from the turn signals flasher!! Could be as simple as a bad flasher!? If the ER flasher works all the bulbs, then they are probably well grounded. Good luck!
T.C.

[grabberblue]

Thanks all,

Hey Topcat, does the right and left share the same flasher? My right is working, well most of the time...

[Luxury]

One flasher runs both sides. The stock flasher needs a lot of amps to work. If one or both of your left light sockets are corroded it may not be drawing enough amps. You might want to take your signal sockets apart and clean them up. I did this recently and now the signals are very bright and flash even at idle. Also, if you are using aftermarket signals with smaller bulbs, you may not be pulling enough amps. In that case you may have to switch to an electronic automotive flasher (and lose the auto-cancel feature).

[grabberblue]

Thanks Frank,
Yes I do have the small aftermarket signals, the connectors are new on the signal ends, the harness ones are original. I will try a good cleaning to see if that helps. Also the connector above the rear fender did seem dirty I will clean then as well.
Thanks again,
John