Turn Signal issues

[kacealraid]

Yesterday afternoon, I did a little bit of work on my bike. Lubed up the chain, checked the front sprocket for wear (about to change the chain), and I finally got tired of my turn signal switch sticking...

I took apart my control on the handle bar, and took soap and water to the switch to clean out some of the crevices. It "appeared" to be working better. Rode it around and it seemed fine.

This morning, it's a little below 50 and I take her to work. The turn signal is VERY sticky in the cold, and it was just as sticky this time as it was the last, much to my dismay. But, I also have a new problem, when I use the turn signal, it doesn't seem to be working. I press left or right, and the light turns off and does not blink. I did this with the engine off, and I can hear the clicking of the turn signal relay...but the clicking is way off. Normally you hear a very rhythm-like clicking as it works. This time, it was very spaced out, as if it only wanted to click every other-other time...

Any ideas? Did my relay decide to go out very conveniently alongside my cleaning of the contacts in my switch? Or did I goof-up without realizing?

[luisr320]

Find out where the switch wires go inside your headlight (possibly), pull the connecting box apart and shunt the each of the wires from the relay side to the common wire. Better check the electric schematics to find out the right wire colors. This way you'll know if the problem is on the switch. If the relay is ok, the blinkers will work fine and all you have to do is open the switch again and find out what is wrong (humidity?).
I can check the wiring for you but now I'm in a rush and don't have time.

[jpr1968]

Soap and water on electrical connections is a no-no. You probably have corrosion on the contacts of the switch. Get some ELECTRICAL contact cleaner and try again. Put some lithium grease on the non-electrical components of the switch making sure to not get it on the contacts.

[kacealraid]

Originally Posted by jpr1968

Soap and water on electrical connections is a no-no. You probably have corrosion on the contacts of the switch. Get some ELECTRICAL contact cleaner and try again. Put some lithium grease on the non-electrical components of the switch making sure to not get it on the contacts.

Yeah, that's probably exactly what happened. I'll get into it sometime soon and clean it out right. Any suggestions on where to pick up contact cleaner? Hardware store, etc?

[seanie]

Contact cleaner is pretty much just rubbing alcohol in spray form. I just cleaned and lubed my contacts because I had the same sticky signal issue. I just used some lint free q-tips and rubbing alcohol to clean the contacts, then lubed with dielectric grease. All is well now.

Also, when it's decently cold outside, my turn signals will lag a bit at first. Mechanical turn signal relays and cold weather don't get along all that well.

[MOFO YO]

Originally Posted by seanie

Contact cleaner is pretty much just rubbing alcohol in spray form. I just cleaned and lubed my contacts because I had the same sticky signal issue. I just used some lint free q-tips and rubbing alcohol to clean the contacts, then lubed with dielectric grease. All is well now.

Also, when it's decently cold outside, my turn signals will lag a bit at first. Mechanical turn signal relays and cold weather don't get along all that well.

Great advice right there...Mine also stick/lag a little in the cold

[kacealraid]

Originally Posted by seanie

Contact cleaner is pretty much just rubbing alcohol in spray form. I just cleaned and lubed my contacts because I had the same sticky signal issue. I just used some lint free q-tips and rubbing alcohol to clean the contacts, then lubed with dielectric grease. All is well now.

Also, when it's decently cold outside, my turn signals will lag a bit at first. Mechanical turn signal relays and cold weather don't get along all that well.

Thanks for the advice, I have plenty of rubbing alcohol. I'll try that when I get home tonight to see how well it does.

[jpr1968]

Contact cleaner is not alcohol. Alcohol will not take corrosion off electrical contacts. USe a good contact cleaner. You can get it at hardware stores, auto parts stores, Radio SHack, ect.

[kacealraid]

It doesn't look too expensive to get the authentic stuff, might just do that at lunch and spray some in there, see if I get a good benefit out of it.

[kacealraid]

Bought a can of Electrical Connection cleaner, sprayed the crap out of it. Let dry. Works like a charm now! Thanks for the advice guys.