Failing blinkers
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Failing blinkers
Hi y'all
This winter, and it's not much of a winter considering I'm in CA, my blinkers have been barely working. Sometimes they'll take close to 10 seconds to start flashing, if they flash at all. I've also had some charging issues and I thought that maybe the two were related, but the blinkers have a unacceptable delay almost all the time. Does this mean the bike needs a new turn signal relay?
Thanks for the help!
This winter, and it's not much of a winter considering I'm in CA, my blinkers have been barely working. Sometimes they'll take close to 10 seconds to start flashing, if they flash at all. I've also had some charging issues and I thought that maybe the two were related, but the blinkers have a unacceptable delay almost all the time. Does this mean the bike needs a new turn signal relay?
Thanks for the help!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Ha! Ha!
Yep, I've been tapping into this forum for some time, but mostly on occasions like this one where I've a problem that may be particular to the SH.
I took the switch apart a few weeks ago and it looked practically brand new - very clean and dry. I'm wondering if connectors, including the battery's ground is corroding because the battery has some charging issues, too. I think I'll clean up all of the connections and see what I get.
I took the switch apart a few weeks ago and it looked practically brand new - very clean and dry. I'm wondering if connectors, including the battery's ground is corroding because the battery has some charging issues, too. I think I'll clean up all of the connections and see what I get.
Last edited by chickenstrip; Mar 6, 2008 at 10:56 PM.
Junior Member
Squid
Squid
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4
I had the same issue, I cleaned the switch, replaced the flasher and still had delayed flash, fast flashing intermittently, ect. It was a corroded connection in the back where the signal wire connects to the main harness. It had just enough resistance to make the flasher think that a bulb was out at times.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Good tip!
I had the same issue, I cleaned the switch, replaced the flasher and still had delayed flash, fast flashing intermittently, ect. It was a corroded connection in the back where the signal wire connects to the main harness. It had just enough resistance to make the flasher think that a bulb was out at times.
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SuperBike
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From: Skokie
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Update: I'm still having the problem with the blinker delay. Not much of a surprise since I've done only a little to solve it. I have checked all the connections now, and it appears that everything is good. I'm tempted to dismantle the switch, but I may replace the blinker relay. It looked okay, but everything has been looking okay - I'm not sure how to check it with a multi meter - suggestion?
Thanks
Thanks
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 99
Im having the same problem. I installed a blinker regulator that replaces the flasher, its a little better but still slow to turn on the blinkers. I cleaned my connections in the rear and replaced all the wiring... Guess Ill have to check the fronts. Ill try the grease tomorrow and post.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
The problem lives on
Hey y'all,
I'm still having trouble with blinker delay. When it's warm, even mild, I get instant response. But now I'm getting at least a 10 second delay. It's cold out, in the 30s, and I can't help but think there's a correlation. I've checked the charging system and it appears to be normal; the battery is good; I replaced the RR. Is it time to replace the signal relay?
I'm still having trouble with blinker delay. When it's warm, even mild, I get instant response. But now I'm getting at least a 10 second delay. It's cold out, in the 30s, and I can't help but think there's a correlation. I've checked the charging system and it appears to be normal; the battery is good; I replaced the RR. Is it time to replace the signal relay?
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
Well... the only thing that really is temperature related is the grease in the switch... Take it apart and clean it... Then re-grease with vaseline... isn't affected by temps as much...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Thanks for the tip, Tweety. I do notice that the switch is 'sluggish' (stiff, hard to move). Suggestions on switch cleaner? WD-40? Special electrical cleaner??
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
Not WD-40... That's counter productive... Alcohol or electric cleaner is the best...
I used a fine brush and alcohol... Just make sure to get all clean and all alcohol out before applying vaseline in generous amounts...
BTW what's with Americans and WD-40?! You guy's use it for all purposes in all places... Used correctly it's good... but there are places where it doesn't belong... electronics being one...
I used a fine brush and alcohol... Just make sure to get all clean and all alcohol out before applying vaseline in generous amounts...
BTW what's with Americans and WD-40?! You guy's use it for all purposes in all places... Used correctly it's good... but there are places where it doesn't belong... electronics being one...
Last edited by Tweety; Nov 23, 2008 at 07:55 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
We had a warm spell today so I dismantled the switch, cleaned it with contact cleaner, and greased it with dielectric grease. I'll see how it deals with the cold in the next few days.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 287
From: Brooklyn, CT
Just a thought about why it may be slower when cold:
Blinker relays work like a fuse that does not blow out. When turned on, a filament heats up and (I think) breaks the connection until it cools down. As a result, the current to the bulb is stopped and the bulb turns off. Once the filament cools the connection is regained and the cycle starts over again. If not enough current is getting to the filament, it will take longer to heat up. If it is cold out, it may take even longer.
Blinker relays work like a fuse that does not blow out. When turned on, a filament heats up and (I think) breaks the connection until it cools down. As a result, the current to the bulb is stopped and the bulb turns off. Once the filament cools the connection is regained and the cycle starts over again. If not enough current is getting to the filament, it will take longer to heat up. If it is cold out, it may take even longer.
Member
Squid
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
From: Roswell, GA
my hawk did the same thing. when the temperature drops, there is significant delay in the blinkers beginning to flash. if it gets cold enough, they sometimes won't start at all. i have LED turn signals front and rear from the previous owner. i assume they are not load matched with resistors or anything because i typically have a fast flash rate. i agree with above comment that the only thing within the system that should be temperature dependent is the grease in the switch. good luck finding the definite solution!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Well, that's what I was thinking, too. I bought a new relay but haven't put it in. I'll check out what happens with the new grease first, and then move to the relay replacement if the problem is still there.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Just a thought about why it may be slower when cold:
Blinker relays work like a fuse that does not blow out. When turned on, a filament heats up and (I think) breaks the connection until it cools down. As a result, the current to the bulb is stopped and the bulb turns off. Once the filament cools the connection is regained and the cycle starts over again. If not enough current is getting to the filament, it will take longer to heat up. If it is cold out, it may take even longer.
Blinker relays work like a fuse that does not blow out. When turned on, a filament heats up and (I think) breaks the connection until it cools down. As a result, the current to the bulb is stopped and the bulb turns off. Once the filament cools the connection is regained and the cycle starts over again. If not enough current is getting to the filament, it will take longer to heat up. If it is cold out, it may take even longer.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 562
From: NYC
Update: I took the bike out yesterday in mid 30s degree weather and though there was less of a delay than the 10 second one I experienced prior to switch overhaul, there was still a 4 or 5 second delay. I'll put in the new relay next.
