Topic: CB400f - is the stock winker 2-prong or 3-prong

[lohebohi]

I just just 2 fancy new $30 winkers (thermal overload switch/flasher) from Honda designed to fit the cb400f.  They both have 2 male spade connectors.  Should there be 3 prongs?

[Deke Rivers]

The stock front winkers have three wires, as they also do double duty as running lights. You can install the two wire indicators, but you won't have front running lights. 

Don't forget to cap the hot wire for the running lights to avoid an electrical short.

[lohebohi]

Okay something got lost in translation.  I am talking about the thermal overload switch that mounts on the side of the bike and is covered by the side cover.  It is a rectangular box. 

There are two wires that were hooked up to a 2-prong cheapo Pep Boys unit.  There is a third wire that is not hooked up to anything.  The third wire is very similar to the two wires that are connected to the working thermal overload switch/flasher/winker.  The female spade part of the connector can be thought of as coming "off the wire sideways".  By this I mean that when the connector is plugged into a male spade connector, the male spade connector will be perpendicular to the wire coming soldered/crimped to the female connector.

I had always figured the dangling third wire was use when the proper winker/flasher/TOS is installed.

[kyre]

I'm pretty sure stock was 2 prong and that third wire (ground) was just floating there for future use? anyways thats what was on my 75 400/4 until I replaced it with an electronic 3 prong flasher unit which needs the third wire for ground. no delay in flashing anymore like the stock mechanical unit liked to do.

[R. Hykawy]

The flasher unit was 2 prong from stock, just leave the green wire disconnected.

[Zane]

Ditto RH.  Stock is a two prong unit.....

[bryanj]

Ah you US people, there you go assuming there is only one country in the world again!! (Just jjoshing---HONEST) In UK/Europe a three pin electronic flasher (blinker to you) can was used and it needed an earth (ground) to work hence the green wire. But as the colonies couldnt understand electronics Honda made provision for using a thermal stone age type flasher can Thing is there is no part number for it it just says "local procurement" in the parts book

[R. Hykawy]

 Bryan, my bad I did not even consider that it could have been European spec. I just went from what mine has.

[R. Hykawy]

darn , should have known better

[Kelvin8]

What color is that "third" wire? I have a green wire w/ female terminal that's just hanging there. It's a ground wire, or so I'm told.

[bryanj]

Kelvin, Black is live with ignition on; Grey goes to L/H switch via the headlamp ( or wiring box under tank on later models) Green is earth (ground)