turn signal issues : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

luvstoride · 09-30-2009, 06:07 PM

This just happened, and I'm at a loss where to start. When I hit the button for my left turn signal......nothing. Right one works fine. When I got home, turn on the ignition, and left turn signal comes on! Press the left turn signal switch to turn it off....nothing. Hit the right, and the 4 ways come on. Front and rear left bulbs good. Hitting the left and right for a few seconds cancels the left signal. I am stumped. Where do I start?

rtb · 09-30-2009, 07:38 PM

During a recent trip, we rode in a LOT of rain. I had similar symptoms that I think? were caused by water on top of the socket for the left front turn signal. At least the problem didn't occur after drying out the turn signal bulb/sockets. Good luck.

luvstoride · 09-30-2009, 08:38 PM

After doing some research and checking for moisture in the turn signals, I'm beginning to think turn signal module or switch. Does anyone have a softail electrical manual that shows the steps to troubleshoot these two items? My service manual only shows how to replace the module. Any insight would be helpful.

chester1957 · 10-01-2009, 08:32 AM

A friend had a similar problem, replaced left turn switch to fix problem.

ACfixer · 10-01-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chester1957

A friend had a similar problem, replaced left turn switch to fix problem.

Ditto, my buddy had the opposite side giving him fits and it was the switch itself.

DR_DEUCE · 10-01-2009, 11:49 AM

For the 4 ways to start, both switches must be pressed. So, obviously there is a short in the left switch circuit, most likely the switch. But it could be in the wiring itself. Use the schematic to test the circuit and determine where the fault lies.

luvstoride · 10-01-2009, 08:43 PM

did some more testing tonight. When I heated the left switch with a heat gun, it worked fine, so I thought it must be something in the switch. Went and got another switch and installed it. It worked fine for about 10 tries, then same thing. I am not thinking a short now, because it seems to work when it wants to. I would think a short would be more constant. I did however look at the wiring and can't seem to find a place where it would be shorting. during the initial attempts after installing the new switch, I was careful not to move anything other than the switch button. Seems to me a short wouldn't come and go like that? My last hope before having the stealer try to fix it is the TSM. My local stealer has one in stock for $115.00. Any thoughts on if this is my next best move? I know where it's located, but was wondering if rear wheel removal is necessary to change it out? Again, thanks for your help.

ACfixer · 10-02-2009, 01:19 PM

Whatever you do, let's hope it doesn't go the way of my $100 thread.

I had the stealer change my TSSM...

Advantage: If it isn't it they have to take it back, also the warranty is 90 days.

Disadvantage: Diagnostic fee and an hour labor on top of the $115.

Kenney · 10-02-2009, 03:06 PM

You have already replaced the switch so before you spend any more money :
Replace all of the left side bulbs (You could just take the right side bulbs and put them in the left side as these are known good working bulbs or just swap all left for right to verify them)
1.Remove the Left front turn signal bulb and test the system.
2.Replace the Front left bulb and remove the left rear bulb and test.
The reason to check the bulbs is a shorted bulb (not an open or burned out bulb) could be causing the problem.
It took me 2 hrs to find this problem on my bike.

luvstoride · 10-02-2009, 07:20 PM

Kenny, tried that, but great advice.

ACfixer, looks like that's the route I will take next.

DR_DEUCE, great advice. Spent the night doing just that.

Chester1957, did that.

rtb, thanks for the advice, checked and all seems dry.

Well, here's where I am at. Replaced the left switch last night, no help. Spent the night checking the wiring. I pulled the wiring out of the handlebars hoping I would find the short there, nothing. All the wire looks brand new, and tests good. Visually inspected the rear wiring and tested it, and no problems found. That leaves me to think 1 of 2 things. It's either somewhere I can't get at, or it's the TSM. I will pop for the TSM, then I will know I did everything I could before bringing it to the dealer. Oh yeah, my local dealer does not have one in stock........7 to 10 days. I'll search the 'net and see if I can get one sooner.

Again, thanks to everyone who replied.

rtb · 10-02-2009, 10:08 PM

Well if you gotta wait for a part anyway, and are out of ideas consider trying this; unplug the TSSM (or TSM) module and inspect and clean if necessary the connector and put it back together with dielectric grease. Long shot maybe but it won't cost anything but an hour to try. Good luck.

Mtnhker · 10-11-2009, 06:22 PM

I am having the same issues with my 2005 Ultra. Sitting still everything works the way it is supposed to. It is only after I get above 55 mph and the bike has been ridden a while (+30 minutes) that the problem occurs. I have replaced the bulbs, the TCM and have removed and cleaned the speed sensor. I guess my next step is to replace the switch(es). The bike does not have an alarm system, I am having no problems with the speedometer and all other switches are working fine.

Locodave · 10-12-2009, 01:22 AM

Hi, Most the time. When the electrical goes wacky. Check the grounds. Wiring diagram would show how many things are on that one circut.

A bulb has 2 filiments. Turn-brake use the same filiment. Running light filiment. Both use the same ground. If a stronger amp draw when you use something on the same circut using the same ground. The stronger amp feed to ground will steal the ground from the lesser amp draw. Have a book on wiring diagrams?

Test with an ohm meter to a known ground. Batt neg post to what the probs ground with isues. Should read 0.0 ohms if a good contac.

Take apart any connectors. Look for melted-discolored wire insulation, before the connector. Look for melted plastic on the pins or the female side caused by an overheated wire from a bad connection. Dave

wrongsideup · 10-13-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvstoride

This just happened, and I'm at a loss where to start. When I hit the button for my left turn signal......nothing. Right one works fine. When I got home, turn on the ignition, and left turn signal comes on! Press the left turn signal switch to turn it off....nothing. Hit the right, and the 4 ways come on. Front and rear left bulbs good. Hitting the left and right for a few seconds cancels the left signal. I am stumped. Where do I start?

I had the same problem with my deuce years ago. Not to say this is your problem but, I washed my bike. To help I sprayed some chemical cleaner on the switches. Was careful (I thought) not to get any in the switches. Worked fine for several weeks and then that chemical worked its way into the switch and looked like it melted the plastic around the contacts and caused me all kinds of intermitant problems. Sometimes the blinkers would work and sometimes they wouldn't. Would go on and wouldn't go off, etc, etc. If you used any type of cleaner around or on those switches, that may be your problem.

luvstoride · 10-23-2009, 05:32 PM

Finally, after close to 3 weeks, I got my new TSM. Replaced the old one, and all seemed fine. Took it for a ride making all left hand turns, and a couple of weird things happened. 1st, there were occasions where I has to hit the left turn signal switch twice for it to come on. It almost always (99 % of the time) self cancelled. Then there were a couple instances where I would hit the button, the signal would flash once, then go out. It seems near working, but still have these two issues. I am going to study the wiring diagram to find the common ground points and check/clean them. At this point I am almost sure there is no short. My main concern now is if it is a faulty ground, why only affect the left signal?

Also, can someone tell me how the switch housings themselves make ground? Is it just through contact with the handlebars? I have replaced the switch, and the TSM, and now I need to find the gremlin that is haunting my electrical system. I will gladly accept any other suggestions. I'm beginning to get frustrated.

Update update...........this is getting fun now..........

Went back out and did some troubleshooting. I took the left turn signals apart and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Also took apart the wiring junction at the taillight and cleaned it out. Put it all back together and then the left front quit flashing all together. Sweet! So at least I think I'm heading in the right direction. cut the tie-wraps the hold the turn signal wiring and jostled them around. Took the left front apart again, nothing obvious wrong, put it back together, and it works! Even sweeter! Try the right, no flashing! Fvck! So, at this point I need to remove the fuel tank and check the wiring under it. I'm hoping to find an issue under there. I can't slide the tank back far enough to get at the turn signal connections (2006 Softail Standard). Screw it for tonight, time to drink some beer..........