Turn signal problem

[Shotgun]

It's the middle of April and there is still a foot of snow on the ground.  For the past few years, every spring when I go out and start my Valk after 6 months of hibernation, I find my turn signal switch doesn't work very well, especially when it is cold. I can move it one way or the other and the right will come on but not flash and the left will just go out.  Last year when it warmed up, they finally worked fine but it hasn't been warm enough this year to try that.  Does it just need to be cleaned or rebuilt?  Any ideas?

[Valker]

Cleaned carefully and lubed. Easy to do and will prevent the button from breaking off. If it breaks, there is no replacement other than replace the whole thing for about $70.

[John Schmidt]

The switch lever that turns the signals on is removable. If it does break, pick up a used unit off Ebay, open up the switch box and carefully removed the switch lever. Takes a small phillips screwdriver and steady hands(and patience), but a lot cheaper than buying an entire new setup. Clean the innards of the existing unit real good while you're in there, I use white lithium as a lube....very lightly.

[Glaserbeam]

You can open the switch housing without removing it from the handlebars, and spread it open enough to spray chain lube, etc., on all the surfaces where the switch slides.

[Chrisj CMA]

You can open the switch housing without removing it from the handlebars, and spread it open enough to spray chain lube, etc., on all the surfaces where the switch slides.

that wont fix the problem.  You must take the switch apart and clean out the old grease.

[RonW]

All it takes to deep clean the switch is removing 4 screws. Two screws to separate the clamshell housing, then 2 other screws circled below. 20-minutes max. for the entire project. I wouldn't do anything with the pivot screw for the thumb lever because it's almost impossible to screw it back again with the right amount of tension.





After the metal plates above are out of the way, pluck the plastic holder (B) from it's notch in the lower clamshell. Then you'll be able to clean off the movable & stationary contacts (A). The holder is just friction fitted in its notch. No screws.




Just spraying contact cleaner without taking apart the movable & stationary contacts works for a while. But the crevice between the movable & stationary contacts is very thin and the stationary contact plate has a ledge (red circle) which makes it hard to direct the contact cleaner to where it should get to. That's even with the thin straw attached to the spray can's nozzle. You end up just moving residue into the crevice where the residue collects on the upper contacts which is the turn signal contacts.

[Shotgun]

Thanks for the help.  It hit 46 degrees here today.  Won't be long now.

[Ramie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob4JWFQ6aTc

[Bob D]

I had the same problem with my signals for almost a year. I took the housing apart so many times I stopped counting. I tried all suggestions on our website with no luck. I finally just replaced the switch. Although it was a bit pricey, it was worth it to rid myself of the aggravation I went through for a year. Take it ALL THE WAY APART and clean it really good. If it still doesn’t work right, replace it. It’s a safety issue especially at night. Money well spent in my opinion.

[danvanross]

Had this problem for over 6 months, couldn't figure anything out. Was especially unpleasant during my trip in Greece with all the serpantines they have there. So I found this guy in Athens who did a pretty good job, the signals problem had gone. Still keep contact with this man, really liked Greek people and the country, thinking of investing in real estate in Athens this fall, the prices are more then affordable, and the climate is a dream! I haven't visited Crete though, probably will like it even more!