Turn indicators blink intermitently

All of a sudden the turn indicators don't always work. When theyre in "not working mode" the rear indicators aren't on (I dont know if theyre supposed to be or not) and when i thumb the switch the front blinker on the side i'm indicating just turns off.

It feels like a bad ground to me, but I have no idea where to look for it. I don't have a wiring diagram. The fuses are all good (at least the ones on the triple tree.) I did notice the fuses have to be put in 'just right' or they don't work, does anyone know the exact spec on the fuses, all it said in there was "All 15A" or something like that, so its a 15amp fuse in what size? Can I use automotive ones? I have a feeling the fuses may be to blame even though they arent blown.

The blinkers sometimes start working again, and sometimes stop. The highbeam switch works fine.

The horn has been out for a while, i found the lead to the horn itself had slipped off, so I put that back on and it was working for while but is out again now, even though the lead is still there.

I suspect its either problems with the fuses or a bad ground.



-I hate electrical stuff.

 

They all use standard automotive fuses. What year/model bike do you have?

 

Might as well change the fuse, though it's no going to do anything. It could be a bad ground, but it may also be a relay that's gone bad.

Now I'm not sure about the signals on a bike - but the signals on a car use a relay..

 

bet it goes off & on all the time....isn't that normal?:biggrin:

 

At least it works half the time!

 

Just make the turns that your indicators are showing.

 

Do it the manual way. Use your hands.:biggrin:

 

I use manual hand signals a lot anyways, fearful my blinkers just aren't visible enough.

 

Hyperlites Flashing LED Motorcycle brake lights, Running Lights and Turn Signal

 

sounds just like mine. found out it was a bad relay , got one from fleabay now it works great.

 

I had a similar issue with my bike and it was the turn signal relay.

...and the rears don't light up until they are signalling

 

Thanks, can you or the other guy who replaced the relay tell me where the relay is? If i know where it is I can find it in a parts diagram and get a new one.

 

the ones for the vf500 are on the left above the brake fluid res. on the vf750 mabye same area or just under the seat above the rear fender.

 

Could be a cracked solder joint in turn signal flasher. This happened on my '82 Sabre. The turn signals only worked when they were in the right mood. I was cheap and tore the flasher apart and resoldered it. Has worked great for 5 years. Old bike electronics are prone to this problem because of cheap single sided circuit boards.

I'd suggest just buying a new one if it tests out bad and you "hate electrical stuff".

 

Problem is 100% definitely your blinker relay.

Try my thread here.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/body-modifications/25140-87-700f2-led-blinker-install.html

There are relays readily available.

 

Ok. I'm having the same problem with my turn signals on my 85 VF500F. Rear turn signals don't work at all and the fronts turn on in the opposite direction of the switch. After reading this thread, I'm pretty sure that it is the relay that's bad. Here's the problem, maybe I'm just totally blind. I cannot for the life of my find the relay. There was a mention of it being to the left of the brake reservoir. Ok, which one? Front or back? Sorry if I sound like a total idiot, but I got this bike a few weeks ago and am trying to learn where everything is at as I troubleshoot it. My manual doesn't even mention the relay. I'm used to a 73 Honda CB350. Pictures would be of great help to me. Thanks in advance.

 

Locating 'em is more than half the battle...Honda likes to hide them all over the place. So I don't know the exact location...but...the wires going to it will be white/green, grey, and (maybe) solid green...the green (ground) may not be used if it's a two wire relay. Anyway troubleshooting is easy. Unplug the relay and short the grey, and white/green wires with a paper clip. If the relay is faulty, your turn signals will now work...except they won't blink.

The front turn signals on Honda's are also running lights. That's why the opposite front stays on when your turnsignals don't work. Notice the front bulbs have two elements and the rear bulbs only one. The running light part of the ciruit is pretty much unrelated to the turn signal circuit and works on the tailight power supply. So don't worry about that part of it.

 

Yes! Thanks Dizzy. It is the relay. I found it to the left of the rear brake reservoir. Shorted the suggested wires together and it worked as how you described.