My '92 FXR turn signals started not working when I was running freeway speeds unless I held in the button. I assumed a wire was loose and the vibration at speed was effecting it as they would resume normal operation at lower speeds and idle. I wasn't able to find a loose connection, but now I think it's heat related. Today they were working when I started it up and was riding around, but after about 5 minutes they stopped working entirely. After the bike was off and cooled down they worked again. Not just off, but cool too. This happened repeatedly through the day as I ran errands and made stops. Seemed too precisely consistent to be just random vibrations.

My brake pedal is also behaving the same way. It's not activating the brake light when the turn signals aren't working, but my handlebar brake lever is activating the light just fine. Again it works when the motor is cold.

Both the turn signals and tail light are illuminating just fine as running lights otherwise. Is my switch (brake and turn signal) reacting to engine temps??? Is it just vibes with a bad connection? My bike hasn't felt especially hot.

If it's a bad connection, any suggestion for the likeliest location to produce this result? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

I am having similar issues. No idea what the solution is.

 

Interesting. Well misery loves company. Things supposedly happen in threes so who's next?

 

At a random guess I'd say one of your thermal breakers is weak.

 

Some things to look for:

1. Burned-out bulb, or starting to fail. Loose bulb or lamp socket.
2. Check grounding
3. Bad contacts
4. Turn signal module going bad.

 

Thanks guys. Someplace to start is always good.

 

Another thing to check is the molex gang connector that is located behind the left sidecover below the seat.

 

Will check tonight after work. Things I can reach easily are my favorite.

 

Molex was tight. Didn't test pins for current though. Need to get some gear for that. Had a fun time with the rubber grommets. Cover popped off fine. Left side would not re-install. Even when I got it in place it wouldn't stay put. A light breeze would have taken it off. Found a nut that fit the bolt and managed to secure it in place. Realized grommets were not supposed to come out with the cover...doh. Amazed they've stayed in place for the last few thousand miles...just the kind of fun you get messing with an older bike and upsetting all the natural bonding that has occurred here and there.

Signals are done flashing no matter what now so I'm back to thinking its more likely vibration related than heat, but I'll check the thermal breakers too. Maybe I'll find Hoffa while I'm in there.

 

I had intermittent signals and thought it was a wiring job I had done. Re-did the wiring and still did it. Replaced the turn signal module and all cured.

Griz