Indicator issues....

Strange, but while the left indicator works fine the right works sometimes, mostly not.

I'm wondering could it be the flasher unit or is it more likely to be the wirings.

I know it sounds simple but interested in any comments.

Bill

Check the grounds/connections on the trouble side also check the connection to the indicator light in the shell. Also corrosion on the bulbs and in the sockets.

Try almost slapping the snot out the chrome stems, or ride over rough surface, if works some then suspect decayed bulb holder plastic &/or at lamp inter face. Rarely hot wire but happens. Sometimes filament end breaks to flap on off connections till none. Some have to run earth wire bypassing decay plastic but its tedious tight tiny long hole threading plus creating new terminations at both ends so consider nicer vender pleasing path too. Of course each new new thing makes next old area distracting.

Most electrical problems are poor grounds..... due to corrosion or simply old age ... both are likely the same thing.

Slick

I replaced all the barrel connectors on the titanic's harness and everything functions as intended. The turn signal flasher was froze, but a new one fixed that. I also sprayed all the female connectors permanent to the harness before reconnecting everything. Unless tha harness has been molested, it's probavly fine, but old connectors are always suspect.

Danno said:

I also sprayed all the female connectors permanent to the harness before reconnecting everything. Unless tha harness has been molested, it's probavly fine, but old connectors are always suspect.

Click to expand...

Applying anti-ox. grease to all bullet connectors not only prevents corrosion, but also allows for easier dis-connects.

Slick

>Strange, but while the left indicator works fine the right works sometimes>

Huh never heard of a flasher unit working on one side but not the other, just failing to flash any side, so does not compute, unless some ground fault on R side dragging a failing flasher down. Daily life proved to me turn signals not as effective as hand signals if ya think it really matters that others know your intentions ahead of time.

billson said:

Strange, but while the left indicator works fine the right works sometimes, mostly not.

I'm wondering could it be the flasher unit or is it more likely to be the wirings.

I know it sounds simple but interested in any comments.

Bill

Click to expand...

Mi

My MKIII, would work fine with the headlight turned off. With the head light on, The left would flash but the right would not. New flasher took care of the problem. Both turn signals with the head light on.

I think all the replies are germane and on target. Replacing the flasher unit may solve the problem in the short run, but the issue(s) is still present. The root cause is bad grounds caused by corrosion.

The flasher unit works on current flow, too little and the indicators won't flash. If your errant indicators have corrosion or bad grounds they won't flow enough current through the flasher unit to heat the bi-metal strip in the flasher unit to the point where it will cause flashing.

I suggest that you replace all 4 indicator bulbs and clean up the sockets, insure that each stalk is properly grounded and the connections to the handlebars are making good contact (separate them and re-make the connections). If you have the original Lucas switch gear open the switches and make sure that the internal contacts are clean and corrosion free. Finally replace the flasher unit and your directional will be good for another 40+ years.

Clean the base of the bulb contact point on the bulb and the socket on the working side front and rear. On the MK3 the the non flashing side is you return path.

Well I finally wanted to start the olde girl, took a while, quite a while, but when it did happen the indicators, both of them worked fine.

I almost think there was an electric issue with the bike as it took so long to start.

This could all come back and haunt me again

Have you been inside the switch? A corroded contact could lead to problems that are intermittent depending upon the voltage present at any given moment. While you are in there clean the kill switch.

The MK3 switch contact can be built up with solder. Just remember to take it apart in a bag.

As for taking an age to start highlights your issue, the wagging and movement of the bulbs contact got better as they vibrated in their holders.