left running light goes out when I turn off right turn signal

[flivver]

The bike has been working great for months, so I don't think it's a wiring problem...

Symptoms: When I turn on the left turn signal, then turn it off, both blinker lights (the running lights) remain solidly on, but dimmer -- as they should. However, if I turn on the right turn signal and then turn it off, it remains on (again, as it should) but the left one turns completely off. If I turn the left one on and off again, it comes back on.

It's almost 100% repeatable, but there've been a few times lately that I shut the right one off, and the left one stays on like it's supposed to.

I've tried replacing the bulb, to no avail.

What else might I check?

[Schattenreiter]

Originally Posted by flivver

The bike has been working great for months, so I don't think it's a wiring problem...

Symptoms: When I turn on the left turn signal, then turn it off, both blinker lights (the running lights) remain solidly on, but dimmer -- as they should. However, if I turn on the right turn signal and then turn it off, it remains on (again, as it should) but the left one turns completely off. If I turn the left one on and off again, it comes back on.

It's almost 100% repeatable, but there've been a few times lately that I shut the right one off, and the left one stays on like it's supposed to.

I've tried replacing the bulb, to no avail.

What else might I check?

If I understand the problem you are saying the left running light goes out when you use the right turn signal. Try replicating the problem and remove the bulb from the left socket. Check with a multimeter and see if you have fire at the socket on the connection that lights the running light part of the bulb. Hook one lead to the pin in the socket and the other to a ground anywhere. If you have fire like that move the ground lead of the multimeter to the ground on the socket itself. This will tell you if the problem is in the hot wire or the ground wire.

[flivver]

Originally Posted by Schattenreiter

If I understand the problem you are saying the left running light goes out when you use the right turn signal. Try replicating the problem and remove the bulb from the left socket. Check with a multimeter and see if you have fire at the socket on the connection that lights the running light part of the bulb. Hook one lead to the pin in the socket and the other to a ground anywhere. If you have fire like that move the ground lead of the multimeter to the ground on the socket itself. This will tell you if the problem is in the hot wire or the ground wire.

Will give that a whirl... Thanks. To your first sentence, you're close. When I turn on the right turn signal, the left running light stays on (like it should); when I turn off the right turn signal, though, the left running light goes out.

[85 Shadow VT500C]

I had the exact same issue with my bike and I bet it is a switch maintenance issue. I would cancel the right signal and the left running light would go out. If you wiggle it or move it to the left it will come back on. It didn’t happen in reverse though. Over the years a lot of gunk builds up inside the switch causing the moving parts to stick and contacts to get dirty.

I covered everything well an used a half a can of electrical cleaner with a bucket underneath to catch the excess. I then sprayed it with a liberal amount of silicone lube, put dielectric grease on the contact surfaces, and then even sprayed a little rust inhibitor in there. It is going to be a yearly routine or at least every 2 years for sure. They now work great. I followed the link below.

Switch cleaning 101

[Scrapdog2grand]

Originally Posted by 85 Shadow VT500C

I had the exact same issue with my bike and I bet it is a switch maintenance issue. I would cancel the right signal and the left running light would go out. If you wiggle it or move it to the left it will come back on. It didn’t happen in reverse though. Over the years a lot of gunk builds up inside the switch causing the moving parts to stick and contacts to get dirty.

I covered everything well an used a half a can of electrical cleaner with a bucket underneath to catch the excess. I then sprayed it with a liberal amount of silicone lube, put dielectric grease on the contact surfaces, and then even sprayed a little rust inhibitor in there. It is going to be a yearly routine or at least every 2 years for sure. They now work great. I followed the link below.

Switch cleaning 101

thats sounds like it there ^^^.
But dont use silicone on electrical connections, not good!!

[85 Shadow VT500C]

Originally Posted by Scrapdog2grand

thats sounds like it there ^^^.
But dont use silicone on electrical connections, not good!!

Thankyou!

I didn't know that. What’s the issue with silicone? What could I use as a lubricant instead or should I be using something else after cleaning?

Thanks,
Fred

[Scrapdog2grand]

Originally Posted by 85 Shadow VT500C

Thankyou!

I didn't know that. What’s the issue with silicone? What could I use as a lubricant instead or should I be using something else after cleaning?

Thanks,
Fred

Honda has a service news that I have come accross like a dozen times, stressing not to use silicone spray cans to lube switches as it causes premature failure of the switch.
I just tried to find it a could not. when i do I'll post it for you.

it does leave a residue as it drys up over time, so I'm thinking this may be why, they dont always give you all the details.
this is why we dont spray the window glass run channels with silicone spray anymore, the residue from the silicone would get kinda gummy and cause the window glass to bind even more so after a couple months, so now we use a synthetic based grease called
shin-etsu to recondition door seals and run channels. I use it on carb boots and air intake tubing now as well.

would I use silicone? I wouldnt use it directly as a lubricant thats all.
I usually use an electronic parts cleaner, or pb-blaster type lube, and then use some kind of synthetic based lithium or silicone dielectric grease.

[rkforrest]

Carbon Conductive Grease | MG Chemicals VS

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-dielectric-grease.htm

They are 2 different Animals

[flivver]

Thanks, guys -- that was it! Took it apart today, sprayed it with electronics cleaner, then lubed with bulb grease. Also took out the bulbs and put bulb grease on them, too. Back to working like it's supposed to. Thanks again!

[Scrapdog2grand]

Originally Posted by rkforrest

Carbon Conductive Grease | MG Chemicals VS

What Is Dielectric Grease?

They are 2 different Animals

Yes, I have seen that before as well, but have been reluctant to use it.
there are multiple circuits built in together, dont want any unwanted continuity between circuits, I myself am very sparing with the grease on contact surface.
the lithium di electric I use is the same stuff that the factory conectors are packed with. good enough for me.