Right Turn Signal not working

[Seabee]

I just bought a 1983 Interstate with 40,000 on it. Right turn signal does not work. When the lever is pushed the neutral lights blinks. Don't know where to start.

[WingAdmin]

I've had a look at the electrical schematic for your bike, trying to find a failure mode that will cause what you're describing. The only thing that really is connected to both the turn signal and the neutral light that I could think might fail is the SCR. A few questions:

- Is the bike in neutral when you do this? (i.e. is the neutral light SUPPOSED to be on, but when you turn the right turn signal on, it makes it flash?)

- Does it happen to the overdrive light instead/as well if you have the bike in overdrive?

- Does pulling the clutch lever in make any difference?

- Have you checked the actual light bulbs - i.e. swapped the left and right bulbs, to make sure the bulbs are not burned out?

[Seabee]

The bike is running and in neutral. I have not had it out for a long ride as yet. I will check to see if pulling clutch lever makes any difference. I have not swapped bulbs but will do so.

There is something else going on also. The battery must be disconnected or it goes dead. Some thing is staying on.

[WingAdmin]

With the ignition on, put it in first gear (so the neutral light goes out) and try the right turn signal. Then try the same thing in fifth gear and see what happens.

[Seabee]

OK, with key on, in neutral and in 1st gear, R turn signal on. There is a buzzing/humming sound from under the flase tank? Same thing when in 5th.

[WingAdmin]

So the right turn signal is coming on, but not flashing?

Is the buzz coming from the left side of the tank? That is where the flasher is located. What about the neutral light when you do this?

[Seabee]

No, the signal is not coming on. I ment that the switch is on. The indiactor light tries to come on but is very dark.

I could not tell which side the sound came from. I will remove tank and try again tonight.

[Seabee]

OK, so in the dark, with motor running I tried the R turn signal again. Did not notice before, but the entire insturment panel is blinking and the L turn signal also. The R is out during this but is on when neither turn signal is applied.

Thanks for your help.

[WingAdmin]

If neither turn signal is on, and the engine is running, are any of the other instrument lights (like the voltmeter backlight) on, or do they only come on with the right turn signal is on?

[Seabee]

All lights are on, meters are working everything is fine. When the R signal is turned on all the dash lights and the left turn signal light flashes fast, the right running light goes off. The meters are not affected, they still read as normal.

I don't know if the previos owner cross wired something. I read somewhere about subsituting a car flasher for the Honda one. Maybe he did.

[WingAdmin]

It almost sounds like a ground is broken somewhere, and it's finding a path to ground a way it shouldn't.

[Seabee]

Got it working. Cleaned the contacts on the switch and installed new flasher.
Are the rear amber lights for turn only? They do not come on with the front running light.

[WingAdmin]

Yes, the rear turn signals (amber lights) come on only when the turn signal is on. You can't have rear-facing amber running lights, by law.