Flaky Turn Signals

[RobbieAG]

My turn signals have behaving weirdly. Sometimes I turn them on and they work. Sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they work after a delay. Sometimes they work if I press and hold them in. I’ve tried spraying contact cleaner on them numerous times, and sometimes it helps for a little while. I also tried the “Turn Signal Circuit Inspection” procedure on page 22-32 (in my copy) in the service manual and the signals behave the same way. It seems the only option now is replacing the switch (which thankfully is still available). Has anybody else had this issue, and if so, how did you resolve it?

 

[Sadlsor]

I'm my case, I haven't resolved it.
Been riding my other bike, mostly, but I know I need to get them fixed.
They worked for months after adding the trailer isolation harness, then one day quit working altogether.
No signal at all, and obviously no emergency flashers. All other switchgear works 100%.
I've checked bulbs, all the fuses, and the relays, switching with known-good relay/fuse.
Maybe yours is as simple as a new switch?
I'm following this.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

Have you tried disassembling the switch assembly, cleaning it all out, de-oxidizing the contacts, lubing the moving parts, and putting it back together? Spraying contact cleaner in to it is a temporary fix at best, and that is if it helps at all. This maintenance item does wonders for both switch pods. If you haven't done it you should before investing in a new switch.

 

[dduelin]

Andrew's response is what I did to restore turn signal use back to like new at 150,000 miles. Going slow and paying attention to how the switch works and goes together makes this is a very easy job. No tiny springs or parts fly away when disassembling slowly. I used light dielectric grease and the switches worked just as new.

 

[SMSW]

If, as you said, contact cleaner works for a bit, it is time, as @Andrew Shadow said, to overhaul the switch. Go easy on dielectric grease. The stuff is an insulator and is used to seal out dirt and moisture. If you slather it on the contacts, they have to mechanically scrape themselves clean each time you work the switch. If there is no sliding motion to the contacts, the grease insulates them and the problem will be worse.

 

[RobbieAG]

Have you tried disassembling the switch assembly, cleaning it all out, de-oxidizing the contacts, lubing the moving parts, and putting it back together?

I did separate the halves of the switch assembly and took off the bracket that holds the switch to the handlebar to provide good access. The contact cleaner I used supposedly has lube in it. That being said, I think it's worth another try. Do you have to remove the switch from the bike to do the procedure you describe?

 

[Andrew Shadow]

I did separate the halves of the switch assembly and took off the bracket that holds the switch to the handlebar to provide good access. The contact cleaner I used supposedly has lube in it. That being said, I think it's worth another try. Do you have to remove the switch from the bike to do the procedure you describe?

You have to remove it from the handle bar. If you unplug the wiring so that you can remove it completely is up to you however, even though you don't have to, you would probably find it easier to work on it on the flat surface of a table.

 

[dduelin]

I did separate the halves of the switch assembly and took off the bracket that holds the switch to the handlebar to provide good access. The contact cleaner I used supposedly has lube in it. That being said, I think it's worth another try. Do you have to remove the switch from the bike to do the procedure you describe?

I do not recalling unplugging the switch and taking it elsewhere. I recall removing one or two small screws allows removing the slider part of the switch from the pod half. Clear access to the contact surfaces of the slider in order to clean them of dirt and corrosion completed the switch service. I did not use very much dielectric grease and that light amount applied with a Q-tip.

 

[RobbieAG]

I gave the disassembly, clean and lube procedure a try, but it's still not behaving properly. I went ahead and ordered a new switch. It's not that expensive and I figured I better order one while they're still available.

 

[ST1100Y]

... de-oxidizing the contacts...

2019, weird symptom on my GF's freshly obtained NT700VA (identical Honda turn signal system...):
right side would start instantly...
left side with a 4~5 second delay... always, reproducible...

So me braking out the tools, taking the switch apart, lubing plastic on plastic with silicone grease, other parts with marine grease, wiped the contact surfaces with some ACF-50 on a Q-tip...
Put all back together, testing... smooth switch action, but same symptom... left side the 4~5 second delay...

Cracked the seat off, located the t/signal relay (same 3-pin type), pulled it, put back in (hoping this scrapes off any oxidation)... same symptom...

Pulled the relay again, gave those pins a thoroughly wipe with that ACF-50 soaked Q-tip, plugged it back... TA DAAHHH!

sometimes those gremlins give you a good chase...

 

[Andrew Shadow]

I do not recalling unplugging the switch and taking it elsewhere.

I never bothered either. It was so simple to do it in-situ that I personally don't think that it is worth the effort to completely remove it from the motorcycle. I was just offering it as an option for those who have never opened up one of these switches and who might prefer to do so on a more secure surface for their first time.

 

[RobbieAG]

Cracked the seat off, located the t/signal relay (same 3-pin type), pulled it, put back in (hoping this scrapes off any oxidation)... same symptom...

Pulled the relay again, gave those pins a thoroughly wipe with that ACF-50 soaked Q-tip, plugged it back... TA DAAHHH!

I cleaned the relay and connector when I did the turn signal circuit inspection procedure, but it didn't help. I may try it again and do it more thoroughly.

I do not recalling unplugging the switch and taking it elsewhere.

I didn't remove the switch either when I did the disassemble, clean and lube.

 

[RobbieAG]

Update - I finally installed the new handlebar switch and it's fixed the problem (Yay!). I haven't ridden it much this summer as I've mostly been riding my VStrom. I've also been traveling a lot. I'm glad to put that problem to rest!