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Blinker Fluid?

Started by phideux, Wed 23, Nov 2016, 03:28:06

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phideux

Is my blinker fluid low???? Just kidding, My blinkers just started acting up the other day, I would turn it on and there would be a delay before it would start flashing. The last few rides it started getting longer, this morning coming home they worked at first with a delay but the last time I put them on it wouldn't come on at all. When you hit the turn signal switch the front lights go out too.
Does this seem like a bulb slowly going bad??? Or some other issue???

Hooter

#1
Left side, right side, both?. Need to know that first.  Spray the switch with some WD40 while moving it back and forth. See if that takes care of it. If not then start checking other things like bulbs, relay, ground?
You are never lost if you don't care where you are!

sandy

The original lube in the switch hardens up. Take the housing apart and clean out the old gunk. Relube with a dielectric grease and it'll work for years.

da prez

   Also , unplug all connections , clean and use silicon dia- electric when you put them back together.
While you are at it , do the battery connections and grounds. Pull the bulbs out and check for corrosion .

                                     da prez



WintrSol

98 Honda Valkyrie GL1500CT Tourer
Photo of my FIL Jack, in honor of his WWII service

phideux

It does the same left or right. I'll pull the switch apart and clean her up.

phideux

#6
Quote from: sandy on Wed 23, Nov 2016, 06:03:06
The original lube in the switch hardens up. Take the housing apart and clean out the old gunk. Relube with a dielectric grease and it'll work for years.

Took it apart, some contact cleaner, greased it up, good as new.
Now I'll just top off the Blinker Fluid and be good to go.

gordonv

Make sure that the blinker fluid is synthetic. None of that oil based stuff for our bikes now!

As for the WD40, good for cleaning, but it dries out. As suggested, us a proper electrical cleaner and grease after you are done (which you did).

1999 Black with custom paint IS


DarkSideR

My bike does the same but only in cold weather. On my recent 2,500 mile ride, starting in the cold mornings I kept an eye on the thermometer and tested the turn signals as the temps rose. My blinkers do not work below 54 degrees. They work but are delayed (meaning it takes a couple of seconds after I flip the switch) from 56-58 degrees, and work normally above 60 degrees.

You didn't mention in your post if it was cold out, I'm guessing it was. Regardless others are correct it's the grease in the switch hardening up.

You can clean out the old grease, or leave it and simply use hand signals when it's cold.

Hope this helps,

DarkSider
2001 Valkyrie Super Tourer
VRCC#34410
VRCCDS#0263

cookiedough

mine does same thing below say 45 degrees out or so when colder, especially the right turn signal.  Delay of about 5-12 seconds on that right flip of signal vs. 3-7 seconds on the left side.  I just have become used to it and turn it on that much earlier before turning is all.  Works fine over 50 degrees which is 90% of my driving. 

phideux

It didn't seem to be temperature related at first, but it didn't start happening until the weather started getting colder. Since it started I rode from low 30s-70s, but the morning they didn't work at all was the morning I left my Fiancees house at O-Dark/30 and the temp was about 30F. So maybe???

The emperor has no clothes

Quote from: DarkSider on Mon 28, Nov 2016, 08:06:18
My bike does the same but only in cold weather. On my recent 2,500 mile ride, starting in the cold mornings I kept an eye on the thermometer and tested the turn signals as the temps rose. My blinkers do not work below 54 degrees. They work but are delayed (meaning it takes a couple of seconds after I flip the switch) from 56-58 degrees, and work normally above 60 degrees.

You didn't mention in your post if it was cold out, I'm guessing it was. Regardless others are correct it's the grease in the switch hardening up.

You can clean out the old grease, or leave it and simply use hand signals when it's cold.

Hope this helps,

DarkSider
I would highly recommend taking your switch apart and cleaning it. The old grease on mine got to the point it weakened the little dog leg metal button and broke. You can't buy just the push button. You've got to get the entire housing.