Turn signal issue
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Turn signal issue
Hi folks. Long time lurker, first time poster. I’ve searched the threads, but have been unable to find where anyone else has had this problem.
Sitting on the jiffy stand with the ignition on and kill switch off, the turn signals and flashers on my ‘98 Ultra work fine. Start the engine (still on the stand), and the left signal will not work. Occasionally I will get a fraction of a blink. Stand the bike up vertical, the left signal works. Going down the road, it rarely works. This started several weeks ago.
Last evening I replaced the cam position sensor thinking the integral bank angle sensor was bad (it had brown goo syndrome anyway). It didn’t help.
Before I start shotgunning parts at it, I thought I’d ask if anyone else had seen this problem.
Thanks!
Greg
Sitting on the jiffy stand with the ignition on and kill switch off, the turn signals and flashers on my ‘98 Ultra work fine. Start the engine (still on the stand), and the left signal will not work. Occasionally I will get a fraction of a blink. Stand the bike up vertical, the left signal works. Going down the road, it rarely works. This started several weeks ago.
Last evening I replaced the cam position sensor thinking the integral bank angle sensor was bad (it had brown goo syndrome anyway). It didn’t help.
Before I start shotgunning parts at it, I thought I’d ask if anyone else had seen this problem.
Thanks!
Greg
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,195
Likes: 3,085
From: NW AR
Cam position sensor is not going to make any difference with the turn signals. If it was oozing, it needed to go anyway.
Check the voltage at the battery when idleing. Stand the bike up vertical so the signal works, turn the wheel left/right. Still works throughout? I wonder if a wire is broken. Also, you have a turn signal control module that is known to fail.
Check the voltage at the battery when idleing. Stand the bike up vertical so the signal works, turn the wheel left/right. Still works throughout? I wonder if a wire is broken. Also, you have a turn signal control module that is known to fail.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,062
Likes: 4,547
From: Haslet Texas
Do you have any kind of aftermarket turn signal module plugged into your wiring harness?
I had sorta the same problem once and it was caused by a Kuryakyn turn/brake signal module.
It was supposed to turn the rear turn signals into extra brake lights.
I had sorta the same problem once and it was caused by a Kuryakyn turn/brake signal module.
It was supposed to turn the rear turn signals into extra brake lights.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Thanks guys. The bike is bone stock, all the way down to its Dunlops. 20 years old and 100,000 miles.
I think Dr.Hess got it. For some reason I had it in my head that the turn signals were cancelled by the bank angle sensor inside the cam position sensor when you righted the bike after a turn. Turns out it is done by time and speed.
As I said before, when I stand the bike up, the turn signals work fine. But moving the bars left and right as Dr.Hess suggested revealed it wasn’t standing it up, but moving the bars from left (when on the jiffy stand) to center (when upright) that made the difference. If I fiddle with the harness on the bars going down the road I can get it to work. Looks like there is an intermittent open or short between the switch and the module. Time to get out the wiring diagram and meter.
Thanks again!
I think Dr.Hess got it. For some reason I had it in my head that the turn signals were cancelled by the bank angle sensor inside the cam position sensor when you righted the bike after a turn. Turns out it is done by time and speed.
As I said before, when I stand the bike up, the turn signals work fine. But moving the bars left and right as Dr.Hess suggested revealed it wasn’t standing it up, but moving the bars from left (when on the jiffy stand) to center (when upright) that made the difference. If I fiddle with the harness on the bars going down the road I can get it to work. Looks like there is an intermittent open or short between the switch and the module. Time to get out the wiring diagram and meter.
Thanks again!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Greg, welcome to HDF. Intermittent faults are often down to a poor ground connector, corroded or loose wiring connector, damaged wire, etc. So start with a thorough inspection of the wiring associated with that light. Disturb each coonection, clean and ensure it is tight.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Follow up: I pulled the faring off and with a little bit of looking and troubleshooting, Found the problem. At the beginning of the season, I replaced my speedometer cable. When I put everything back together, I zip-tied the cable and sheath to a bunch of wiring (Including the left handlebar harness) for security. Turning the handlebars right put a strain on the interconnect harness at the turn signal module. Snipped the tywrap and secured the connector. Works fine again.
Thanks again for the input, folks!
greg
Thanks again for the input, folks!
greg
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
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