Turn signals work when they want to...

[vv0350]

1997 GL1500se...For several years now, we have encountered this issue...Sometimes the turn signals work, and sometimes they don't..The first time we notice was after spending the night at a park and waking up to a humid day...Another GL rider that was camping near by told us it had to do with the humidity...and it would dry out and they would work fine...a couple of hours later they began to work. BUT, that was about 4 years ago and the problem still exists and I just cannot really say for sure it is due to humidity affecting the electrics...It happens, for a while at least, almost every time we ride..summer, winter, fall or spring. They never actually totally fail to work during a ride, they just work when they want to...

[newday777]

The cause is dirty switches usually from people using power washers that force in dirt and water that gum up the old grease.
You need to clean all your switches yearly.
Go to wally world or auto parts store and get a can of CRC electrical contact cleaner and spray in the switches and work the switches back and forth, in and out, spray again and work the switches more.
Be sure to cover the windshield and painted plastic to protect from over spray and drips! Do not get it on plastic lenses of your eye glasses. Use safety glasses.

https://www.amazon.com/CRC-05103-Electr ... ref=sr_1_2

[vv0350]

Thanks....got a can and now to "clean"...

[newday777]

Thanks....got a can and now to "clean"...

Post a reply of your results here.

[Snowmoer]

The CRC is just a band aid on these types of switches. To do it right, you need to pull the switch apart, clean out the old grease, clean the contacts, then put in new Dialectic grease. My older bikes including my 88 wing had this problem. After replacing the grease, I have not had any problems. On the 88 I just sold, this was done 10 years ago and they were still working like they should without any additional cleaning. If you do take the switch apart, there is a ball bearing in there that you need to make sure you do not loose!

The CRC is great on the radio volume, channel, cruse up and down switches. These are dry (no dialectic grease) momentary switches and the CRC is great for cleaning those contacts.