Topic: Turn signal fix

[zxshep]

I put the finishing touches on the rear end of the 400F tonight and got some of the smaller things mounted.  After I got the turn signals mounted I hooked up the battery and tested the switches and lights.  Everything lit and "switched" except for the right rear turn signal.  I checked the connections for it, which were all good.  I removed the amber cover and checked the bulb, which was also good, and found that if I pushed the bulb in it would be begin to flash.  I removed the turn signal from the bike and disassembled it.  I found the black center wire has become disconnected from whatever/wherever it was soldered to.

Anyone encountered this and can tell me where I need to solder it back to?  Wire and end are intact.  The glob of solder is even still there.  Just need to know where its home is so I can get it back together and move on to the next phase.  These are the stock, and as far as I can tell, original rear turn signals.

Thanks for your help and time.

[kerryb]

I haven't worked on a 400, but all the honda signals I've worked on had one or two wires soldered to the contacts in the socket which are a small brass button. This contact plate is held against the bulb by a spring behind it.  The ground wire would be soldered to the tab that holds the socket into the reflector base.  (Two hots for front signals, only one for rear)
You might have to remove the socket from the reflector to gain access to the back of the contact plate where the wire is soldered on.  Try to resist pulling the wires out of the mounting stem, there is a rubber plug in there that is difficult to get the wires to go  back through for reassembly.

[newday777]

You just need a replacement pigtail from an auto parts store. They come with the brass contact already crimped/soldered on.

[zxshep]

Fixed it!  I took the bulb out of the left turn signal and studied it and compared to the right.  The center conductor "button" on the right signal had disappeared and just a little nub was left that had pulled through the plastic insulator ring.  I took apart the signal and pondered how to remake the nub.  I found a screw that had the right diameter head, so I drilled out the center which also released the shank.

The hole was just big enough to get the nub on the wire end through.  I verified everything was in place in the rubber body and then filled in the hole around the nub with solder.  After some fine-tuning it was all set.  I reassembled the light, mounted it, and it tested successfully.

On to the next thing!

[BenelliSEI]

Nothing better than a clever fix!