Topic: Weird signal behaviour - right side on constant

[Tim.]

Weird thing - when I turn on the ignition, everything lights up correctly but the right side signals turn on and stay lit - no blinking.  This is a new behaviour and doesn't happen all the time.  Will often correct itself after riding and signalling.

The wiring on the bike is all good - no issues.  Is this indicative (I hope) of a dying flasher relay?  Any recommendations on a better replacement?  I'm not a stickler for keeping it stock, so if there's an automotive one that will be reliable, I'd be happy to put it on.

I also find that it takes a few seconds for the light to light up and start flashing - either side.  I'd like it to be more responsive, so when I flick the switch it lights up and starts flashing immediately.

Anyone with ideas - let me know 

[eldar]

gee the only thing I can think of is a flasher. Our old style are mechanical and so do wearout.

Hey you could have my issue. My left front turns on normal and will blink but only 1 filament works and I have tried different bulbs.

Swap the flasher and see. Best I can say on that.

[Lumbee]

...the flashers on these old bikes are 12v, so they need [at least] 12volts to mak'm flash.  What I've found is if the electrical system is weak it will cause the flashers to not work.  Check the voltage on u'r battery.  Are you over 12 volts?

[Boomologist]

Low wattage bulbs will cause this. I used very low wattage bulbs on my chop and had to install a resistance to ground in the circuit to get them to work at all.
Another is weak voltage in your system.

[Duck]

If it was working before and it isn't now...
clean the contacts on your flasher bulbs and sockets
if still not working, check grounds
if still not woring, replace lamps with correct part number, 1173 IIRC
-Duc

[csendker]

Stuck flashers for me have always been either dead bulb or dead flasher.  Dead bulb = not enough resistance to kick on the flashers, and mechanical ones start 'on', thus the stick.  Low wattage lamps would cause this too.  If it only does this on the right, I would start with the lamps and work back.  Check lamp wattage, dead or alive, no shorts, good grounds, connectors clean, etc.

FYI: Shop manual says turn signal light; front/rear: 32W/32W lamps.

[Tim.]

The issue isn't that it won't flash when I ask it to - it's that the light is in 'signal mode' upon turning the key to start and remains so.  The idiot light is also lit up, but again doesn't flash.

I'll get a new flasher unit - any recommendations on a good automotive replacement?  I'd rather stay away from another scrap yard gamble and just replace it with a new one.

[78CB750F1]

tintin - replace the old flasher unit with a grounded electronic flasher, available from any auto store.  The electronic flasher is non-load dependent and will therefore keep a constant signal rate no matter what bulbs or LEDs you are using.  As well, I believe that the electronic flasher starts in the "on" state.

[Tim.]

Sounds like what I want - so any 12v grounded electronic signal flasher will work.  I'll get one on the way home today.

[eldar]

I got an electronic and it has 3 tabs on it. I only hooked up the normal 2 and it works fine. flashes the same rate at any rpm.

[Lumbee]

...I just replaced mine with a $1.20 on from walley world...any 2 prong 12V should work...