I'm having an intermittent problem with the right turn signal on my '89 Ultra. About 75% of the time, when I hit the right blinker switch, I get a short (and no blinker) which is obvious as the radio cuts out for a second, and the voltmeter briefly drops to 0. The other 25% of the time, it works normally. The left turn signal is fine.

Last week it rained for two days straight, so the bike didn't move at all. I went into the garage several times and tried the turn signal, and a few times it worked, but mostly it failed. But this made me question the idea of a bad wire or connection, since the bike was not running and there was no vibration moving things around.

I'm thinking the most likely culprit is the switch, which is exposed on the handlebars and could get water etc. in there that might cause failure. I know there is also a turn signal shutoff module somewhere, but in my service manual it doesn't tell me where it is, just how to troubleshoot it.

Anybody else crossed this bridge before?

 

My 1990 FLHS has the automatic turn signals with a large black module strapped to the right-hand fork leg, between the trees. It seems unlikely to me that is the cause of your problems. More likely a wiring problem or the switch, as you suggest, in other words a mechanical connection!

 

Well I'm going to say at least its only on the right signal which kind of isolates the problem to only right rear signal element/socket , right front signal element/socket or right signal switch or the wiring from the back to front. Last year the slide switch that was used for my passing lights did short out and cause me similar problems. I think will have to pull right handle bar switch control off and give it a good shot of brake cleaner on the contacts and if that doesn't work pull the signal switch right out and manually test it.
This will be interesting.

 

I have had battery voltage issues show up in the turn signals first. I would check battery voltage and the connector between the stator and voltage regulator.

 

Looks like a short to ground. I had it on my EG. At the front turn signal there is small cut-out that wires go through. Wires were shorted to ground because of pinched isolation on those wires.