Funky Blinker

[johnberryus]

OK, Ive been having an intermittent problem all winter and can't figure out what might be causing it.

When I start the bike up in the morning the turn signal on the right front is dimmed when activated (the light is full strength as a running light but when you hit the turn signal it looks as if its not getting enough power, visible in the dark but not bright enough to see in the day) and it fast flashes as if the bulb is dead. I commute 9.1 miles to work everyday and usually by the time I get to work the blinker is acting normally again.

I thought this might be a condensation build up type of thing but the light socket and housing are dry. It also has been getting worse.

Could I have a bad Relay or Sending unit? Anybody else ever have a similar problem?

[VulcanE]

I had one that done the same thing, tinkered with it and tinkered with it, finally changed the bulb and that fixed the problem.

[OldSchool]

You may have a bad filament in the light bulb. I would check that first, as VulcanE pointed out.

[Bud2rat]

I'm thinking the bulb as well.

[johnberryus]

I've changed the bulb several times, thought maybe I had a faulty package.
That did seem to cure it for a day or two.
When I first bought the bike in 2012 the bulb mount was loose on the signal in question went through a couple of bulbs then too, until I figured out how to tighten it.

[macmac]

I think it's a bad ground. Might be a bad connection on the ground side.

[cnc]

Bad ground is probable but as the bulb is grounded through the brass casing and the running light is functioning ok, it could be a poor contact on the positive side. I used to have that sort of thing happen often on trailers. The little soldered bumps on the bulbs just not touching the contact in the base of the socket. Have you tried removing the lense and wiggling the bulb? If it suddenly starts working that could be the issue.

[johnberryus]

Bad connection either way seem probable, I will pull the cover off at lunch time and see if I can make it go away.

[macmac]

Originally Posted by cnc

Bad ground is probable but as the bulb is grounded through the brass casing and the running light is functioning ok, it could be a poor contact on the positive side. I used to have that sort of thing happen often on trailers. The little soldered bumps on the bulbs just not touching the contact in the base of the socket. Have you tried removing the lense and wiggling the bulb? If it suddenly starts working that could be the issue.

Good Call and i agree. In am still getting used to being 65 million years old, but the no heavy lifting part is only working so-so. Evidently the the no thinking parts is working out much better

[ringadingh]

I agree its most likely the bulb or a bad ground, make sure the socket assy isn't worn worn and the bulb is loose inside it.

[johnberryus]

So,

I wiggled the bulb to no avail, and then pulled it out and the connections were a little dirty so I cleaned them and nothing, so I wiggled the wire and BINGO the ground wire is shorting out right at the connection to the bulb bracket.

I may be able to cut and solder it back in place, or would buying a new bulb mount be better?

[ringadingh]

You may be able to cut the wire, and slide on a couple pieces of heat shrink tube, then solder the wire back together. Or else just replace the socket with a new one. I'd probably try fixing it first myself.

[johnberryus]

I'm definitely going to try to fix it myself. the short is so close to the connection it actually goes right int it. So i think I'll have to cut the wire and solder it in place.