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One turn signal blinks too fast!

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Old Jun 28, 2014 | 02:15 PM
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One turn signal blinks too fast!

Okay, I need help. My front and rear turn signals have always blinked twice as fast as they should, but this was (I thought) because of the flush mounts that came on my bike when I bought it. They do not have running light functionality, so I bought some used OEM front turn signals and installed them.

Now the left side blinks at the normal rate , but the right side still blinks twice as fast. I checked the bulbs, the running lights on the front turn signals are both working, but still the right side blinks too fast.

Also, the right rear turn signal acts as a running light as well. I think this is what is causing the right side to blink too fast, but I'm not sure why the relay is making the right rear turn signal act as a running light.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance!!

Last edited by jaconrad15; Jun 28, 2014 at 02:31 PM.
Old Jun 28, 2014 | 04:05 PM
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Okay, I think I figured out the problem. When I flip on the right blinker, one filament in the right front turn signal isn't lighting up, which is causing the fast blink on both the front and the rear.

Now I just have to find the bad wire. Anybody been through this before have any tips?


Thanks!
Old Jun 28, 2014 | 06:04 PM
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Clean the bulb contacts / new bulb.
Old Jun 28, 2014 | 07:58 PM
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I checked the contacts, they are clean. And both filaments are lit up when the running light is active. But when I flip the turn signal, one of the filaments goes out and only 1 blinks.

So confused.
Old Jun 28, 2014 | 09:19 PM
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Check the order of the wires at the turn signals connectors, someone put in the wrong order, that's all there is to it, also it should be color coded, unless these are aftermarket blinkers.
The fast blinking is due to not enough resistance on the relay, once you put the right order, it should go back to normal!
Old Jun 28, 2014 | 10:35 PM
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Green=Ground, then I tried switching the two other wires, same result... I'm afraid I'm gonna have to take it to a... DEALER to fix the problem.
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 04:11 AM
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Originally Posted by jaconrad15
...both filaments are lit up when the running light is active...
This is a really good clue.

Both filaments should not be lit when the turn signal is not active. Compare this turn signal fixture to the other front signal fixture with the lenses off, see which filament is off in the other side. Then trace the wire to your "extra" lit filament on the problem side. I think there you will find the trouble. Don't pay a dealer for this, you can do it.
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 06:08 AM
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Yeah Jac you have awesome support here, hang in there
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 08:08 AM
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Thanks guys, I'm gonna compare the two signals and try to find the problem wire.

I'll keep you updated!
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 08:55 AM
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Okay, so you were correct, the side that is blinking normally only has one filament lit up for the running light, while the problem side has both lit up.

Now, I followed the wiring on the problem side back behind the gauges and everything seemed fine. Not sure what I'm looking for/where else to look. All the wires are covered up.

You're continued help/support is much appreciated!
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 09:59 AM
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You mentionned buying your blinkers used. I would dismount the defective one completely, and look inside the housing of the blinker for any skinned/pulled wires.

If you have a tester, you may also want to check at the connections where the lights connect to see voltage. What your eyes can't see, the tester will.
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 10:05 AM
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Could be running\turn touching either in the signal housing or where they're tied in. Switch the fast blink housing to the other side and vice versu. That'll tell you something
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 11:47 AM
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Figured out the problem! Bad turn signal. I hooked up the turn signal to the other side (that was working normally) and it started flashing again. Guess the turn signal was bad from the get go.
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 12:24 PM
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Good job! You can have mine if I can find them again!
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by jerryh
Good job! You can have mine if I can find them again!
Thank you!!!
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 01:43 PM
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Well, problem solved! Everything blinks at the normal rate... Turns out all I needed to do was switch 2 wires. The ground wire (for some reason) was black with a stripe in it. Long story short, it works now. Thanks again for everyone's help!
Old Jun 29, 2014 | 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by jaconrad15
Well, problem solved! Everything blinks at the normal rate... Turns out all I needed to do was switch 2 wires. The ground wire (for some reason) was black with a stripe in it. Long story short, it works now. Thanks again for everyone's help!
That's what I was saying... sorry I was not specific about which wire, usually it's just trial & error type of thing.
Seen that many times before on other friends bikes when they tried to Micky mouse the wires, glad you find which was flipped!
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 10:10 AM
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I guess I'm one of the few who prefers the stock turn signals, they are brighter than the incandescent flush mounts that came on the bike, and my top priority is being seen!
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jaconrad15
I guess I'm one of the few who prefers the stock turn signals, they are brighter than the incandescent flush mounts that came on the bike, and my top priority is being seen!
I am with you. I think the stockers are preferable. (But I might be tempted to mirror mounted signals some day.)
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 03:20 PM
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Did you guys see my thread re LEDs installed under windscreen? Cheap and easy and helps visibility.
Old Jun 30, 2014 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by jerryh
Did you guys see my thread re LEDs installed under windscreen? Cheap and easy and helps visibility.
No, do you have a link? I tried searching but couldn't find it.
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