Turn Signal Problem

[dmoore]

Greetings All. For some reason my right front and rear turn signals are illuminating but not flashing. The left side is fine. All connections look good. I'm thinking if the flasher relay was bad none of them would flash. Any ideas? Thanks.

DM

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Clean the bulb sockets and bulb bases really well. Deoxit works great. Might consider putting your bike year and model in your signature. It helps, not so much with general stuff like this, but everyone will appreciate it when you ask a question and you'll never have to answer, "What Bike?"

So, What Bike?

We like pictures.

And, welcome to the Forum.

 

[dmoore]

Thanks, Rich. Sorry I didn't think to put the bike infor. It's a 1980 GS250T. My nephew gave it to me. He was going to take it to the scrap yard and I just couldn't see that happening. I'm in the middle of a rehab right now. Just finished frame painting and case and fork polishing. Lots to go yet but it's been fun.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

I guess it could be the flasher relay. Also, blinkers staying on could be an indication or charging issue. Weird that its' only one side though. You're doing great work. Keep it up.

 

[rphillips]

Make sure the correct bulbs on that side, too little current draw won't work the flasher, also check grounds on both front & rear. If they come on, grounds should be good, but grounds can cause strange things to happen. Good luck.

 

[Rijko]

since the left side is working fine, for a quick test you could
connect the rh side blinker wires to the left side one by one
and see if that causes the same issue.
That may narrow down the problem.

 

[Steve]

What bulbs are in the signals and what is the operating voltage?

Proper bulbs need to be used, as the flasher is thermal-based, meaning that it needs to see a certain load to operate.

Also, if you are trying the signals without the engine running, there simply might not be enough voltage to run them.

.

 

[Redman]

What Steve said.

What Steve said.

What Steve said.

 

[Redman]

And another way to say what Steve said:
Assuming a stock flasher: THe rate the flasher flashes is a function of how much current the bulbs are drawing, the more current - the faster it flashes. If not enough current it will not flash so stays on.

One side may have a bad connection in the wiring or corrosion in a socket or .... maybe lower wattage bulbs or maybe one bulb burnt out so less current.

Look and see if all bulbs on that one side are on.
Look and see if all are same type bulb.
If you want to experiment; swap bulbs from one side to the other.

And, other possibility:
If voltage is low (charging system problem) maybe the voltage is low causing lower current, and one side is slightly different to cause it not to flash at that low voltage.
RUn engine at mid rpm (say 4000, 4500) and check t/siugnal operation. Measure battery voltage, report here.