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Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
#521307 06/12/2013 8:06 AM
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ssjones Offline OP
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OK, some of you might remember I did a lot of work to Bills '08 over the winter. This included routing the handlebar wiring thru the bars and adding new turn signals. Bill already had a turn-signal cancelling box on the bike, installed by someone else.

I put on all four new turn signals and they functioned perfectly, as did all the other electrical items on the bike. We really didn't like the Rivco mounts Bill chose because they had to be flipped around and mounted from the front due to clearance issues with his crash bar. Because of this, I wired each front turn signal using quick disconnects (male/female plugs) inside the headlight bucket.
Bill ordered new British Customs signal mounts. But, they didn't work with the new signals which had the wires running thru the post. It took a little head scratching to figure a way to mount these signals, but I figured out and excecuted what I thought was a pretty neat install.
Bill lives 2 hours away, so I had taped up the turn signal plug-ins until the new signals arrived and he rode home.
A few weeks later, he returned to put on the new signals, which I thought would take maybe 30 minutes.
When I plugged in the new signals, activating the left side switch made three work at the same time and nothing from the front left. Activating the left signals won't activate the rear and I only get a feeble glow from the front left. We unplug the signal cancelling box and it pretty much does the same thing.
Last night, I wired back in via jumpers the factory signals with the same result, with our without the signal cancelling box in the system.
I checked the signal switch (which gets gutted to allow the cancelling box to work) and the wires to it are fine.
Something is causing a short but for the life of me, I can't figure out where or why.
All I did was unplug two working signals from the headlight bucket, than plug them back in. No other changes were made to the wiring.
Any suggestions? Pix of the new signal mount below, which looks cool, but doesn't work....


Last edited by ssjones; 06/12/2013 8:07 AM.

Al
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
ssjones #521308 06/12/2013 11:32 AM
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I had a similar issue and it was a blown fuse brake light. I was/am running 3-in-1 (Stop/run/turn) rears and have the installed the solid state gizmo to support the the LED signal.
Anytime Id activate the turn signal they'd go nuts, multiple blinking light front back and sideways.

Probably not your issue, but I'm bored and like to type =)


"stupid's in the water these days, they're gonna drink it anyways, until they don't know right from wrong..."
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
rgoldberg #521309 06/12/2013 12:28 PM
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ssjones Offline OP
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Thanks for the reply. All of the fuses are OK and the brake light is the one component that works properly (and headlight)


Al
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
ssjones #521310 06/12/2013 3:55 PM
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Any LEDs in the mix? Since the indicator light works off both sides you could be seeing leakage there, and a polarized LED could give you some headaches.


A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
oldroadie #521311 06/12/2013 4:38 PM
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ssjones Offline OP
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No LED's. The puzzling aspect of this is that mounted under the triple tree via the RRico mounts, all the turn signals worked perfectly.
I changed the mount and somehow now they don't work at all.


Al
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
ssjones #521312 06/13/2013 10:33 AM
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hate to say it but re-check all you connections and crimps..had a similar problem and after I re-crimped and re-connected everything...it worked...it was a real pain in the a$$

Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
SDKimo #521313 06/13/2013 10:55 AM
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ssjones Offline OP
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Good point, I've plugged/unplugged that right signal so many times, I better try replainc those connectors. that failing its time to break out the multi meter. A shame too, I was pretty proud of the new mounting solution. I'll post a pix this evening.

Quote:

hate to say it but re-check all you connections and crimps..had a similar problem and after I re-crimped and re-connected everything...it worked...it was a real pain in the a$$




Al
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
ssjones #521314 06/13/2013 11:04 AM
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No LEDs? My money is on a pinched wire in the front left circuit.


A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
ssjones #521315 06/13/2013 4:39 PM
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Quote:

that failing its time to break out the multi meter.




i would have done this first. then again, i have a pretty sweet multimeter and i jump at any excuse to get my money's worth out of it.

Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
steve0suprem0 #521316 06/13/2013 5:32 PM
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ssjones Offline OP
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My problem is that Bill took the bike to the Frederick dealer at one point, who made some changes to the wiring and didn't use the factory color scheme. This could be interesting.


Al
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
ssjones #521317 06/13/2013 5:43 PM
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make sure no one took the bulbs out when it was away and then when replaced one bend the connection tab inside (they are easy to bend because its a tight fit) and grounding it out, it will do that sort of thing as well if thats the case.


2007 Speedmaster and miss it! 2013 T-Bird Storm and Luvin it! Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
edmspeedmaster #521318 06/13/2013 5:59 PM
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ssjones Offline OP
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Quote:

make sure no one took the bulbs out when it was away and then when replaced one bend the connection tab inside (they are easy to bend because its a tight fit) and grounding it out, it will do that sort of thing as well if thats the case.



The signals remained here on my workbench, he took the bike home sans signals. I changed the mounts only, didn't mess with the bulbs or wires.


Al
Re: Turn Signal Problem - Very Strange
ssjones #521319 06/13/2013 6:27 PM
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Quote:

My problem is that Bill took the bike to the Frederick dealer at one point, who made some changes to the wiring and didn't use the factory color scheme. This could be interesting.




There's your answer. Happy hunting and keep that cell phone handy so can take pictures to help you sort it out.


A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

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