Turn signal problem

Hey guys,

Having an issue with the turn signals. They work great at idle, but when I'm riding I can't get them to come on reliably. Like maybe 1/25 tries. I've pulled the switch apart twice and it all looks good, cleaned up contacts and lubricated, could be a bad solder joint I suppose that is just intermittent...

But I get them to work 100% of the time while I'm sitting still. And less than 10% of the time when I'm riding. I sorta suspect an issue with the auto cancelling unit. My understanding from reading here is that I can just unplug it completely and it should work with manual cancellation. Is that accurate? This would be the easiest way to test.

Let me know if I'm missing something simple here...

Thanks!
Aaron

 

yes just unplug the canceler to test.

the signal control has a small pcboard that may need resoldering with a pencal point iron. 3 wires connect to it.
could be a bad bulb even when they work they can be bad. the tip will dent in and not make a good contact
stock 27 watt bulbs?
vibration from riding can cause bad contact. clean sockets .

it does sound like the canceler unit as it shuts off bulbs with distance and/or time could be a bad distance sensor shown as reed switch.
that is the esayiest thing to check first by unpluging the canceler

 

That is correct, you can simply unplug the auto cancel and operate the signals manually. Normally, if the auto cancel is a problem the flasher lights will not illuminate at all when the turn signal is moved to either the left or right position. It the signals are illuminating, but not flashing when riding then there may be an issue with the flasher unit or associated wiring.

 

Alright, I was able to ride home on my lunch so I could lift the tank and unplug the auto-cancellation unit... voila! Works perfectly, only without the auto-canceling. While it's a neat feature, I was desiring to swap to LED bulbs anyway, so it's likely I will just swap out the flasher and bulbs and call it a day. I always manually cancel the turn signals anyway out of habit.

And, by removing the auto-cancelling unit, I'm saving weight!

 

leds are a problem too but there are threads on how to convert properly. key issue is finding a flasher the pined properly to the input and out put of the connector so you do not have to make an adapter

 

I unplugged the self cancelling unit, installed a 2 prong electronic flasher, and a load equalizer with all led signals. Works great.

 

Did a 40 mile ride on a country highway today and had no issues with the turn signals, aside from canceling them myself each time. Used them at least 30-40 times I'm sure between intersections and changing lanes. So most definitely the auto-cancelling unit.