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No blinky blinky.

16 posts Started 20 Oct 2010 Last recovered post 22 Oct 2010 Wayback Machine snapshot 25 Oct 2010

#1
So, I start out from home on my 5-7 mile trek to work:

[image: Attached Image: 71512_1656216174061_1496803397_1659936_5845821_n.jpg]


Left directional will blink once, and stay off. So I punch it again. This time it blinks. I switch the switch to the right. Nothing.
Turn it 'off' and try again. Nothing.

When I leave for home tonight it should be in the 50�-60�F range. If the directionals work, I'll open the switch pod, wail on it with some contact cleaner and then add some dielectric grease.


Methinks 28�F is just too cold for the switch pod.

-trav
#2
:biggrin:

yep sounds like some TLC is required on the contacts...
#3
Although this thread doesn't really tell you anything, it does indicate it is an issue with more than just your bike. http://www.vfrdiscus...__1#entry701194

I've tried to clean out the switch pod on one bike and it made no difference. I've also looked at the schmatic to see if there is anything different between the right and left turn signal circuits and don't see anything obvious. If you happen to fix it, let us know what you did.
#4
wouldn't hurt to take a look at the relay, also.
#5
You could always try cleaning the mud off of everything.
#6
I would think relay, myself.
But cleaning the contacts shouldn't hurt anything!
Quick look on Ron Ayers fiche shows it's basically the same relay on nearly every model Honda since the dawn of time! :biggrin:
#7

[image: View Post]KPerham, on 21 October 2010 - 10:56 AM, said:

I would think relay, myself.
But cleaning the contacts shouldn't hurt anything!
Quick look on Ron Ayers fiche shows it's basically the same relay on nearly every model Honda since the dawn of time! :biggrin:

I thought relay myself at first too. Looking at the schematic though, it uses the same relay, so why does the right one hesitate so much to start blinking, but the left one does not?? I'm wondering if there is something different between the left and right that draws a little more or less current than the other side? Or something on the right side is exposed to more cold (wind?) that doesn't allow it to build up enough heat and blink the relay??
#8

[image: View Post]wera803, on 21 October 2010 - 11:36 AM, said:

[image: View Post]KPerham, on 21 October 2010 - 10:56 AM, said:

I would think relay, myself.
But cleaning the contacts shouldn't hurt anything!
Quick look on Ron Ayers fiche shows it's basically the same relay on nearly every model Honda since the dawn of time! :biggrin:

I thought relay myself at first too. Looking at the schematic though, it uses the same relay, so why does the right one hesitate so much to start blinking, but the left one does not?? I'm wondering if there is something different between the left and right that draws a little more or less current than the other side? Or something on the right side is exposed to more cold (wind?) that doesn't allow it to build up enough heat and blink the relay??

Well, it is that much farther from the switch than the left blinker! :blink:
Still wonder if it is some quirk in the '00-'01 wiring that causes it? I've never heard of it happening, but you two claim it has... Maybe those crazy O2 sensors! :goofy:
#9
This has only happened once, and I have ridden before in 28�F weather.

Mud, there's no mud! Oh, wait. I haven't washed it since the mud incident this spring. ;)


I'll check out the connections soon, and probably won't be riding again unless it is > 36�F in the morning

Me bones are getting old and I only have heated grips, no heated clothing.

-t
#10

[image: View Post]KPerham, on 21 October 2010 - 10:56 AM, said:

I would think relay, myself.
But cleaning the contacts shouldn't hurt anything!
Quick look on Ron Ayers fiche shows it's basically the same relay on nearly every model Honda since the dawn of time! :biggrin:


Which, in Honda-speak, was circa 1986...
#11

[image: View Post]y2kvfr, on 21 October 2010 - 01:09 PM, said:

This has only happened once, and I have ridden before in 28�F weather.

Mud, there's no mud! Oh, wait. I haven't washed it since the mud incident this spring. ;)


I'll check out the connections soon, and probably won't be riding again unless it is > 36�F in the morning

Me bones are getting old and I only have heated grips, no heated clothing.

-t


Mine seems to start doing it in the low 50's and gets worse all the way down to about 30 where I don't ride any more. :blush: I know it did it this morning and I think it was 46 when I left for work.
#12

[image: View Post]KPerham, on 21 October 2010 - 12:33 PM, said:

Well, it is that much farther from the switch than the left blinker! :blink:
Still wonder if it is some quirk in the '00-'01 wiring that causes it? I've never heard of it happening, but you two claim it has... Maybe those crazy O2 sensors! :goofy:


Hmmm, maybe I should compare the two wiring schematics and see if there is any difference. Hey, you have LED's in yours. Of course it probably won't happen to your bike!!!!! :owned:

My 02 sensors are gone, along with the cat exhaust. :biggrin:

So we at least have my '01 with 40k miles doing it and a friend of mine with his '01 with 100k miles on it. Plus Travis and his '00.
#13
Try pointing a hair dryer at the relay, then test again to see if it works with a warm relay? Any aluminum connectors(I don't think so, but....)? Things shrink in the cold, expand when warm, so could be a loose connection.

Seems to me that the switch would only stop working if worn or dirty, not dependent on temp as it's mechanical and has hard contact points(I've taken them down to itty bitty pieces before!).
#14
My switch works fine in the cold. Think you need to look elsewhere.
#15
Just looked up the relay part number, it's the same for all 5th gens 98-01... (38301-KK9-952)

Appears to be mounted in the same location as well, so you can try the hair dryer thing to possibly trace a bad batch of relays manufactured <98 and updated later without a part number roll - then look over the wiring harness & diagram to spot other differences and troubleshoot grounds and such from there.
#16
Well, since my garage is unheated, I should be able to replicate this sometime this winter.

Hairdryer/heat gun is a great idea.

As the other thread said, maybe I need to start using synthetic blinker fluid. What's the procedure for bleeding blinkers? I couldn't find it in the service manual

:laughing6-hehe:

Oh, and I only have 30k, and it has seen limited outdoor storage (95% of its nightlife has been inside storage), but that isn't to say I don't ride in rain.
End of thread · 16 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 25 Oct 2010