My blinkers won't blink...

[David_510]

So i've got all my wires hooked up.. the fronts come on as running lights and everything... but when i turn the blinkers on all they do is stay yellow...

Any ideas?

[Big Rich]

Bad switch contacts? I don't know the wiring at all for the running lights, but maybe the relay is bad.

[David_510]

I suppose i should mention the model of bike..

It's an 83 gs550esd.

I don't get it though like left blinkers (rear and front) light up but don't blink, they just stay solid yellow. As the the right front and rear... And the front bulbs are fine (the running lights work and all)

[Big Rich]

Try another relay, or check the wiring to the relay.

[terrylee]

Check grounds , if not grounded properly will not flash only come on. terrylee

[WrenchWannaB]

Blinkers stay solid

Select left turn signals on control, if they stay solid and do not blink LIGHTLY give each a slap with your hand, and repeat with the right side signals as well. If they start to blink, as mine have in the past, after the slap then change the bulbs and check the ground wire to each post (most turn signals I have seen are independently grounded to the stalk). If the slap technique doesn't produce desired results, you must still replace all bulbs and the relay. All in all a pretty inexpensive problem, but remember if you replace ANY bulb you need to replace ALL the bulbs, ie. all turns signals should be replaced.

[cowboyup3371]

Why would you need to replace all bulbs if only one has gone bad? I can see that for tires but not bulbs.

[WrenchWannaB]

Because ...

Why would you need to replace all bulbs if only one has gone bad? I can see that for tires but not bulbs.

Same reason you replace both your headlights on your car if one is bad ... they work in pairs. Or you could be like my wife and continously replace one different bulb every other month because you try to find a logical explanation as to why both need replaced, or in this case all four. She was so amazed that after I replaced both for her she had working headlights for a long, long time. Keep the old working ones for emergency burnouts on long trips or whatever.

[cowboyup3371]

Okay. I've never had that issue by only replacing the one that has gone bad. Maybe I've been lucky with all of my vehicles over the years.

[chef1366]

If you have a manual check the wiring first. If this checks out try another flasher relay. If you don't have the right bulbs they won't flash either.

[Flaming Chainsaws]

Are all four turn signals hooked up?

[David_510]

Yes, all four turn signals are hooked up. And yes they are properly grounded (If they weren't the running lights would not come on.)

Where is this relay you speak of... i can't locate it in my manual.

[chuckycheese]

Ditto

Okay. I've never had that issue by only replacing the one that has gone bad. Maybe I've been lucky with all of my vehicles over the years.

Me, too!

[BassCliff]

Hi,

My flasher (turn signal relay) is under the right side cover. Have a look on my website at my turn signal relay replacement guide and look on the Electrical Odds and Ends page for flasher information.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[tom203]

Same reason you replace both your headlights on your car if one is bad ... they work in pairs. Or you could be like my wife and continously replace one different bulb every other month because you try to find a logical explanation as to why both need replaced, or in this case all four. She was so amazed that after I replaced both for her she had working headlights for a long, long time. Keep the old working ones for emergency burnouts on long trips or whatever.

They work in pairs, but neither knows if the other is working. If they share the same fuse and one light goes out, the other gets slightly more voltage but it's unlikely to shorten its life. I just replace the burnt out one, and carry on oblivious.