Author Topic: Blinkers don't blink (Read 10501 times)

imdon63 · « **on:** August 23, 2006, 06:12:40 AM »

I am having a blinker issue on my 74 CB550. I purchased it from the original owner a few months ago, and he informed me that he had just taken off a windjammer and some saddle bags that had the blinkers built into them. He did this not long after he purchased the bike new. When he took all this crap off to sell it to me he reinstalled the original blinkers, but he could not get them to flash. When I turn on the signal everything lights up and the blinker alarm goes off, but no blinking. I orderd a new flasher from Honda but that did not fix the problem. I have checked the bulbs, they look good. Quick

about the bulbs. Duel element bulbs in the front, single in the back? I checked my shop manual and it shows 3 wires going to the front blinkers, and 2 going to the back. Right now I have 2 wires going to both the front and the back blinkers. HELP!!!

Don in TN.

Klark Kent · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2006, 06:36:51 AM »

the third wire (or second on the rears) is the ground, and these blinkers are internally grounded. i had to ground my blinker stems to the frame because i was missing the metl inserts inside the rubber gromets that you mount the rears to. i have no fronts. I just wrapped wire around the thread and then joined the other end to the little loop behind the mounting bracket- but if you are getting it to light up then grounding isn't your problem. . the flashing is caused by (for lack of a better word) flasher module that hooks in behind the left side cover. if you aint blinking then yours is toast, replace it and you should blink.
good luck
-KK

Klark Kent · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2006, 06:40:53 AM »

i just reread your post and realized you said 2 wires FROM EACH! the rears should only have one wire- the lead, and be internally grounded. the fronts should have two wires coming out of them one for each filament as they are also internally grounded. two wires from each makes me think you have two sets of front signals

-KK

winston · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2006, 07:02:46 AM »

My 77 750K came with a Windjammer which I removed and installed blinkers and a headlight sourced off eBay from a CB650...so I've been through this process.

One thing you can do is double check the wiring from the Vetter harness remains, as there might have been slight ground mods made to accomodate the original installation of the Windjammer on your bike that might now be messing you up.

See craigvetter.com for Windjammer wiring schematics and info to reverse-engineer your issue (maybe).

My blinkers came with two wires each, which as I recall were both Pos, one for each of the two functions (turn filament and running light filament)

On my bike, the light signal pod on the handlebars grounds to the handlebars themselves...which I found out when installing new bars and wrapping electrical tape around the bars to give the pod a snug fit. D'oh.

However, it seems to me that some CB's...the ones in which the turn signal stems attach to the sides of the headlite bucket...the nut inside the headlight bucket comes with a lead attached via a washer...I'm assuming that on some models, those leads are the Grounds for each turn signal/running light assembly.

At any rate, it sounds like you have a Ground problem...in my case, I took the bike to the shop I use after jury-rigging a bunch of ugly solutions that just drained my battery after every 2 hours of riding. It took the mechanic under 2 hours to completely tidy up my electrical system, including removing a bunch of unecessary wires and connectors related to the original Windjammer installation.

My guess is your problem is related to tidying up the mess of wires used for the Windjammer.

Hope this helps.

Klark Kent · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2006, 07:15:00 AM »

i don't know about 750s but my 550 came with running lights in the front only, the rears were just for blinking- so only one lead...

but once again if your lights are lighting then you have a complete circuit and grounding isnt your problem- i would clean the connections under the left side cover (good idea anyway) paying special attention to where the flasher relay resides.
-KK

750k5 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2006, 10:07:15 AM »

Make sure the battery is up to snuff, if low they won't flash. Also you must have running lights up front, thus the three wires. 1 is ground, 1 is running, and the last is turn. Make sure you have the correct bulbs also

Dave K · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2006, 10:13:05 AM »

Check the number on the bulbs. If they are the wrong number, they won't have the amperage draw to load the flasher unit to make it work. Been there done that.

Newbie 550k · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2006, 11:03:19 AM »

I'm having the same issue with my 76 cb550k.

I have the same exact issue with my blinkers and blinker horn, but in addition my headlight won't turn on. Any ideas?

This helps give me some ideas though, thanks.

Dave K · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2006, 11:25:02 AM »

You may have to start back tracking on the headlight issue. You are sure you have no power to the headlight? If not, how about at the highbeam/ lowbeam switch? Is the ignition switch ok? I don't have a schematic on the '74 and newer bikes, but I think they may have had an interlock that turned off the headlight when you hit the starter button. Find a schematic and check it out. But start with the easiest first. Headlight good? Did you use an ohm meter to test it across the leads or another power source?

puppytrax · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2006, 02:39:46 PM »

Just to add to the confusion (again)...My 1973 CB500 has single-lead signals front & back...and single filament bulbs F&B also...Stanley 1073...

The fronts mount as the headlight bucket pivots; the rears have the rubber grommet with the steel insert..

Newbie 550k · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2006, 02:56:01 PM »

DaveK - When I put the new handle bars on I broke what was left of the starter button... can I just tape up the wire ends that connected to the button? or do they have to complete a circuit?

imdon63 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2006, 03:21:43 PM »

Quote from: Newbie 550k on August 23, 2006, 11:03:19 AM

I'm having the same issue with my 76 cb550k.

I have the same exact issue with my blinkers and blinker horn, but in addition my headlight won't turn on. Any ideas?

This helps give me some ideas though, thanks.

The first thing I found wrong was that the 5amp fuse behind the left side cover was blown.

mcpuffett · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2006, 04:14:56 PM »

if your blinkers wont blink try using a piece of wire bared at each end hold one end on your blinker body and touch the other end to earth ,as in your frame etc , and if the lights flash they need earthing , hope this helps

, mick.

Dave K · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2006, 04:22:26 PM »

Newbe550K, I am not sure about the starter button, without a schematic. Also, the 1973 Honda line started using the front turn signals as running lights(well ,I know the 750 and 500's did) when the headlight was on.

Newbie 550k · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2006, 05:24:54 PM »

thx guys,
1. Checked the fuse, thats good.

2. I'll try the wire ground idea, thx.

paulages · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2006, 07:35:03 PM »

an electronic blinker relay ($12 at an auto supply store) will still function when there is too low of a charge or an alternate wiring/housing issue. i have aftermarket turn signals on my bike, and the load-sensitive mechanical blinkers won't work at all.

BobbyR · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2006, 07:35:39 PM »

Quote from: imdon63 on August 23, 2006, 06:12:40 AM

I am having a blinker issue on my 74 CB550. I purchased it from the original owner a few months ago, and he informed me that he had just taken off a windjammer and some saddle bags that had the blinkers built into them. He did this not long after he purchased the bike new. When he took all this crap off to sell it to me he reinstalled the original blinkers, but he could not get them to flash. When I turn on the signal everything lights up and the blinker alarm goes off, but no blinking. I orderd a new flasher from Honda but that did not fix the problem. I have checked the bulbs, they look good. Quick about the bulbs. Duel element bulbs in the front, single in the back? I checked my shop manual and it shows 3 wires going to the front blinkers, and 2 going to the back. Right now I have 2 wires going to both the front and the back blinkers. HELP!!!

Don in TN.

There is a popular mod to make the two rear lights act as running lights. It is a great idea, but totally illegal in the US. I think you have a ground problem since all lights are working just not flashing. Any part of the frame or engine is a ground.

imdon63 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 27, 2006, 01:57:58 PM »

Ok, check this out. I posted a topic a week or so ago about having a blinker problem on my 74 CB550. Well yall gave me some great ideas, and I think I am realllllllllllllll close to a fix. I checked bulbs, grounds, connections and purchased a new flasher. Now, when I push the blinker switch a little ways left or right everything works great, I got blinkers, but if I push the blinker switch left or right all the way to lock the blinkers light up, but no flashing. I am stumped. Help.

clarkjh · « **Reply #18 on:** August 27, 2006, 02:40:20 PM »

Sound like dirt or some other crud in the switch. Take it apart and clean the contacts in the switch. If it was the wirering then switch position wouldn't matter.

James

Jonesy · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2006, 03:20:19 PM »

Is your turn signal beeper hooked up? On some Honda models (not sure if yours applies) the blinkers only would come on when the switch was held slightly to the left or right (for passing). When the switch was moved far enough to lock it in place, the blinkers and the beeper would activate. I'm wondering if your beeper might be shorted or something. A long shot, but something to look at....

imdon63 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2006, 07:43:30 PM »

Quote from: Jonesy on August 27, 2006, 03:20:19 PM

Is your turn signal beeper hooked up? On some Honda models (not sure if yours applies) the blinkers only would come on when the switch was held slightly to the left or right (for passing). When the switch was moved far enough to lock it in place, the blinkers and the beeper would activate. I'm wondering if your beeper might be shorted or something. A long shot, but something to look at....

I did unplug the beeper because I felt like a large truck backing up everytime it came on. I will hook it back up and see what happens........Thanks.

Jonesy · « **Reply #21 on:** August 28, 2006, 05:37:54 AM »

It should work fine with the beeper unplugged. I just thought if it was still hooked up it might be causing the problem somehow, but apparently not. Hmmm...

imdon63 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 28, 2006, 06:01:30 AM »

Quote from: imdon63 on August 28, 2006, 06:00:45 AM

Quote from: Jonesy on August 28, 2006, 05:37:54 AM
It should work fine with the beeper unplugged. I just thought if it was still hooked up it might be causing the problem somehow, but apparently not. Hmmm...
[/quot

Well heck, now what? I will pull the switch apart today and clean it up. If anyone else has a guess, let me know.

Thanks

Well heck, now what? I will pull the switch apart today and clean it up. If anyone else has a guess, let me know.

Klark Kent · « **Reply #23 on:** August 28, 2006, 06:14:45 AM »

that's definately a loose or dirty connection. if it is effecting both signals in the same way, it makes sense that it is on the switch end of things rather than the wires to/from the blinkers. but clean and connect everything again. My beeper only beeps when i turn left. this is the one i most often forget to return, but i didnt think it was designed that way. perhaps i have some connection cleaning to do as well. once youve cleaned and reconnected everything and that doesnt work come back and there will be more ideas. i am almost sure of it.
-KK

imdon63 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 28, 2006, 07:46:22 AM »

Quote from: Klark Kent on August 28, 2006, 06:14:45 AM

that's definately a loose or dirty connection. if it is effecting both signals in the same way, it makes sense that it is on the switch end of things rather than the wires to/from the blinkers. but clean and connect everything again. My beeper only beeps when i turn left. this is the one i most often forget to return, but i didnt think it was designed that way. perhaps i have some connection cleaning to do as well. once youve cleaned and reconnected everything and that doesnt work come back and there will be more ideas. i am almost sure of it.
-KK

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Author Topic: Blinkers don't blink (Read 10501 times)

imdon63

winston

750k5

Newbie 550k

Newbie 550k

imdon63

Newbie 550k

imdon63

imdon63

imdon63

imdon63