indicators (turn signal) flash unit

[Greenbraes]

Hi
Just a quick one someone might be able to help with, my left indicators flash OK but the right just stay lit up, the wires look OK any ideas?

cheers for any help before I start to dig deeper

RB

[rustybronco]

Are both bulbs lighting up on the right side? if they both are lit up properly and not one dim like it has a bad connection, then I think you have a weak flasher unit.

[Steve]

I don't know about a "weak flasher unit", as the same flasher circuit powers the lights on both sides of the bikes.
The flasher part of the circuit does not know (and does not care) which side is getting the power, as that is decided by the control switch, which is downstream of the flasher.

What you do need to look for is to make sure the lights on the right side are the proper bulb AND that they are well-grounded.
If both of them turn ON, it is apparent that the grounding is probably OK, so make sure the bulbs are the proper ones.

.

[rustybronco]

Longer wires on one one side than the other = more resistance. combine that a weak flasher (marginal flasher) and there you go.

can't see it, can only speculate...

[Steve]

I'll still stick with the "wrong bulb" theory.

.

[rustybronco]

Then I'll take dodgy connections for $200 Alex.

[Greenbraes]

cheers for all the info, both the bulbs are lighting up and look to be the same all round, I will remake the connections and see what happens. The bike has been standing for 17 years so I suppose I'm lucky the left side still flashed...lol

RB

[rustybronco]

RB, as Steve suggested, double check that someone hasn't installed the incorrect bulb some time in the past causing your signal issue. that's cheap insurance towards the loss of hair syndrome.

[7981GS]

I'll still stick with the "wrong bulb" theory.

.

1156 instead of 1157. Happens all the time.
Some people just don't look!

Daniel

[Steve]

Depending on which end, the 1156 might be the correct bulb.

If you need a single-filament bulb, the 1156 is correct.

If you need a dual-filament bulb because the front signals have running lights, then you install 1157s.
If your front lights do not have running lights, they will use 1156s, too.

.

[Normk]

A better dual filament bulb for many applications is the newer 2357 which has the same wattage of small (tail light, marker light) filament but a higher wattage large filament (brake, turn). Can't recall the newer single filament bulb which corresponds to the 2357 but someone can look it up in bulb charts if desired.

I run some single filament Osram 50 watt quartz bulbs in the rear turns of my ST1100. They make for a very nice improvement without annoying following vehicles. I don't know if old Suzie wold accept high output bulbs as she has the little alternator and runs close to the limit now when bar heaters are on. Given the duty cycle, the turn signals shouldn't be a power consumption issue so will have to think of another justification for being too lazy....

[Greenbraes]

at last 'sorted'...it would appear to have been the bulbs, swapped one side with the other and then nothing flashed...aaaa swapped back and still nothing flashed...so managed to dig out 4 bulbs from a box in the garage and changed them all and 'bingo' all is well now, a clean slow flash and you can even hear a click from the flasher unit...so thank guys

RB

[Steve]

at last 'sorted'...it would appear to have been the bulbs, ...

Could have been the bulbs, but given the problems of not working after the swap, it was just as likely that there were bad connections in there, too.

.