Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Indicator problems after storm - Slow/No Flash

I recently had the opportunity to drive through about an hour of a Texas thunderstorm. Just before I got home I noticed that my indicators (turn signals) had stopped working. I've since had a chance to try to troubleshoot the problem. What I have found is that they will eventually light, but they won't flash. Some times they will flash but it is 1-2 minutes between on and off.

Any suggestions on items to check?

Thanks,
Steven

Check the flasher unit. sounds like it got wet and is crapping out on you. But then, check all the components. The switch at the lever, the headlight bucket, everything in the system for water. It sounds like a pita that an hour of rain would do that to you. I've gone for hours in the rain a it was like the energizer bunny. I'd advise one thing at a time, and as soon as it comes back to life, let us know what it was. Good luck.

If you have replaced the stock flasher with the signal-minder, that might be the problem. Mine went out after only 5 months. Just call the factory, and they will set you up.

I haven't replaced the stock flasher, but it appears that I need to at least check it to see if it is dead. Is there any good way to test a flasher or is it better just to go ahead and replace it.

Steven

I am not sure if you can check anything more than a current with a meter. Call your dealer and see if it is covered under warranty, or you might try looking at the auto parts store and see if there is anything that might work. Other than that, just have to pay the "Dealer" price and get a new one.

Don't know where in Big D you are, but call Keith at RPM Cycle for advice. They're great guys and do nothing but Triumph (classic and new), well, they do other old classics too, but they're a Triumph dealer.
From an Old Grove Rat.

Not much of a way to check a flasher but if you're going to buy one, you might want to look at the signal minder, I love mine.

Are the lights as bright as they should be? If not, make sure all the connectors and the switch are clean. If the lights are bright, check the ground connector, pin 6, at the flasher unit under the tank on the right. The flasher is the rear module. The front one is the starter/headlight relay.

Thanks all for the responses and the ideas. It ended up that I didn't need to test the flasher. I pulled the flasher yesterday and found that it was indeed bad. It was fairly easy to tell because the cover was seperated from the electronics and as I tipped it over a stream of water came out (2 weeks after the storm).

I went down to the local Autozone and found a flasher for $12 that was similar size and had the same connections. Hooked it up and I am back in business.

Again, thanks for the ideas.

Steven

Glad it worked out well (read cheaply) for you and thanks for keeping everyone in the loop.