Anyone seen this before?
Right turn signal works perfectly.  Left turn signal does not.  If I just activate the turn signal at a dead stop, the back one goes on, no blinking.  The front one does not light up.  The light on the dashboard is solid, no blinking.
If I'm moving, the light on the dash starts blinking.  I'm not sure about the turn signals as I haven't been able to notice (no night riding recently).  I checked the rear connections and they were fine.  I'm going to be taking the dash apart tomorrow to replace the back plastic and was going to check the front connections tomorrow.  The bulb in the front did not look burned out.  Thanks!

-J

I don't think it has anything to do with the dash.

I had the exact same problem except it was the left rear that wouldn't work and the left front would come on but not blink.

The bulb in the left rear was burned out.  I didn't replace the bulb but rather I replaced the rear blinkers all together because they were fugly.  But once I hooked the new rear blinkers up, they both blinked, front and back, perfectly.

I don't know electricity from shine-ola but I think that if the one of the bulbs on one side is burned out, it may effect that ability to the blinker on the corresponding side to blink, and it will come on but not blink.

Most everyone should try to make me out to be a total moron now, but I think what I've written is correct.  At least in my situation it worked. 

low blinker fluid

Sounds like a quick bulb check is in order...  Beyond that...  Maybe a wire got chewed somewhere.

Yeah, bulb check.  That's what I was trying to say.   

No, I think I'd listen to Stephen and check the blinker fluid first

Short answer: +1 to Jake D and his ribs.

Long answer:
Either the bulb (lamp) is burned out (open) or the socket is messed up with corrosion, etc.

"Why doesn't the turn signal relay (TSR) flash with just one bulb?"
Glad you asked! The TSR is current (amperage) sensitive. Two lamps in parallel, like the GS wiring, draw twice the current of one lamp. With one open or otherwise disconnected, the relay doesn't have enough current flowing through it to make it open. This kind of TSR is often referred to as "load dependent" by online sellers of LED products.

The default for the TSR is for the lamps to be ON when you pick a direction to light up. The blink cycle occurs because the TSR opens up the circuit momentarily.

I have a "simplified" drawing of the TSR circuit on my webpage as well as a simplified turn signal diagram.
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As to blinker fluid...silly people. Blinker fluid hasn't been used in years. They took it off the market after punk kids started  stealing turn signal lamps, breaking them open, and began drinking it for fun and a buzz.

The most "entertaining" affect was it caused the user to open and close their eyes in an uncontrollable rhythm. This usually lasted 4 to 6 hours. Though not placed on the Federal Schedule of controlled substances, most manufacturers pulled the product from the market largely due to parental pressure.

The greatest pressure came from members of Congress who were victims of a prank that involved a large fund raising party where the punch was spiked with blinker fluid.

You won't find that article online either!

Thanks for the info!  Change that tonight.  And great explanation, Starwalt.  I was curious to know why.  So, another question.  Why does it blink when the bike is moving? 

Quote from: starwalt on February 22, 2006, 04:42:37 PM..................................
"Why doesn't the turn signal relay (TSR) flash with just one bulb?"
Glad you asked! The TSR is current (amperage) sensitive. Two lamps in parallel, like the GS wiring, draw twice the current of one lamp. With one open or otherwise disconnected, the relay doesn't have enough current flowing through it to make it open. This kind of TSR is often referred to as "load dependent" by online sellers of LED products.

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Hey Walt, I hate to make things more complicated but..............
Apparently the OEM TSR works like you have just described, but..........

I have a Wagner 552 TSR which does operate correctly with just one bulb.  I pulled the front rt. bulb and all the other bulbs behave properly. 

Maybe we have different kinds of TSRs here.

Have you dissected a Wagner to see how it works?

Quote from: jbeaber on February 22, 2006, 05:09:23 PM... Why does it blink when the bike is moving?

My guess is that the filament of the bad bulb is broken, but not shattered or vaporized. Riding vibration makes it connect for a moment OR it could be the poor wiring/socket/connection that gives the same symptom. Check the bullet connectors for the afflicted bulb also.

Quote from:  John Bates...I have a Wagner 552 TSR...

Good point John! I forgot about the Wagner 552. I assumed jbeaber had the OEM TSR. It still sounds like a bulb or connection.

No I haven't dissected one of those. I may just pick one up and sacrifice it for science!

It obviously is not as load dependent as the OEM unit.
Isn't it round and needs a cable tie for mounting? I've seen great deals for them on ebay.

I need to revisit making the PSPICE simulation of the TSR/signal circuit.

Thanks again guys.  Yes, everything on my bike is OEM....  1989 and going strong...  Only replaced a few pieces personally.

Quote from: starwalt on February 22, 2006, 06:18:12 PM
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Quote from:  John Bates...I have a Wagner 552 TSR...

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Isn't it round and needs a cable tie for mounting? ....................
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Yes, if installed in the OEM mount a cable tie is needed.  A PO modified mine with a round rubber holder which doesn't need a cable tie. 

Quote from: manofthefield on February 22, 2006, 04:23:37 PM
No, I think I'd listen to Stephen and check the blinker fluid first

Do you use the dipstick behind the wheel?

I've been waiting for some time to say that...

Well, problem resolved.  It wasn't the lightbulb.  The connection to the front turn signal had nudged itself loose.  I just nudged it back and all was well.  Also topped off the turn signal fluid.  With Livermore labs nearby it's easy to get some nice glowing liquid to pour on in...    Thanks!!

Quote from: jbeaber on February 24, 2006, 10:06:35 AM
Well, problem resolved.  It wasn't the lightbulb.  The connection to the front turn signal had nudged itself loose.  I just nudged it back and all was well.  Also topped off the turn signal fluid.  With Livermore labs nearby it's easy to get some nice glowing liquid to pour on in...    Thanks!!

That happened to me recently. My front left signal got disconnected in one spot, but it didn't cause the same symptoms. What happened was my rear tail light started flashing rapidly while the front one didn't come on at all.