SOLVED - Right Rear Turn Signal Flashing When Bike Is Off!

[redgoldwing]

Yep, that's right!

I came home from a ride on my Goldwing the other day and remotely opened the garage door. As it was opening I look in and see the right rear turn signal for my 98 Valkyrie Tourer flashing! I checked and the key wasn't even in the ignition. I tried cancelling the turn signals, starting and stopping the bike, but the signal keeps flashing. The only way I could get it to stop was to disconnect the positive battery cable.

Any ideas what is happening here? I should note that I do have the Radiantz LED Tail Light, the Electrical Connection Turn Signal Conversion Kit, the SIRIUSLED rear turn signal lights, and the LED Headlight and Passing Lights from Josh Chambers. These have all been installed and working satisfactorily for almost a year.

[Skinhead]

Does it flash with the key on?  Engine running vs not running? 

Sounds to me like a problem with the mods you have made, but hard to tell with out trouble shooting.

[h13man]

Definitely got a unswitched power source going to that side of that circuit. Out curiosity, do have a emergency flasher setup via maybe thru a Back Off brake module?

[redgoldwing]

It flashes whether the key is on or off or even removed from the bike and whether the bike is running or not running.

No, I don't have an emergency flasher setup or Back-Off module.

Thanks,
Bill

[Timbo1]

It flashes whether the key is on or off or even removed from the bike and whether the bike is running or not running.

No, I don't have an emergency flasher setup or Back-Off module.

Thanks,
Bill

As h13man suggested you have "Definitely got a unswitched power source going to that side of that circuit"

Meaning there is voltage being applied to the blinker circuit when there shouldn't be with the key off.  The blinkers don't work with key off because they are in the switched circuitry.  So you probably have some other "unswitched" voltage source feeding back into the blinker circuit that shouldn't be.

Try isolating any modifications you've added and look over wiring to make sure there's no shorted connectors, wires etc..

[Icelander]

One of these tools can be useful for seeing if a circuit has power.
https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Continuity-Current-Tester-Indicator/dp/B01BGZ9XRS

The point is sharp and will do a number on your fingers if you're not careful but allows you to get into the backside of most connectors to make a connection.

PLEASE: Do not pierce the insulation or any rubber seals on wiring. You open it up to oxidation and corrosion and only magnify your problems down the road.

Start at where you know you shouldn't have power (the relay) and work your way back.

Good luck! I hope you find the problem.

[Jims99]

It could be a pinched wire that finally wore through. Most of what you installed shouldn't have power with key off, so if they were the problem, it would only happen with key on. I would say it's a short between two wires or one to ground. Electrical can be a pain to find but usually a simple fix.

[redgoldwing]

Thanks for the tips. I do have a electrical tester like you mention so I'll start at the turn signal relay and work from there. I also don't think what I added should be the problem, they only tap into the existing turn signal and running light wires, which are off when the key is off, so no power should be flowing in that direction. I hope to start troubleshooting this week.

[redgoldwing]

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Turns out that a prior owner had installed a 4-way hazard flasher system. He wired it directly into the dogbone fusible link so that it always had power. Neither the previous owner nor I knew it was there. He used wiretaps to tie into the running lights but only the right one was making a solid connection, that's why I thought it was a turn-signal problem. Something happened to the flasher unit itself which caused it to blink fulltime. I unplugged the flasher and the problem stopped. Just to be sure I removed that wiring in its entirety.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and positive comments.

Bill

[Jess from VA]

Lord deliver us from prior owner wiring geniuses. 

I probably would have just pulled the bulbs.   

[RonW]

@redgoldwing, thanks for the follow up post. For many people it's too much bother, bother.

[Earl43P]

@redgoldwing, thanks for the follow up post. For many people it's too much bother, bother.

^^What he said!  I followed this thread, wondering what got pinched, sliced, diced or pureed.

I had a weird issue on my IS' amber turn signals several years ago. Turned out that the PO had installed a "trailer converter" which made them into running lights until the turn signal was selected on. Found ancient cruddy Scotchlocks under the right cover, leading to this mystery box under the seat which I happily discarded after resealing the pierced wires.

Appreciate the closure.