[paultyoumans]

Hey everyone,

I have a 1979 Suzuki GS850. I recently bought it from a family who kept it spotless. Everything runs very well except for the turn signals. The turn signals work sometimes and don't at other times. It seems like the left one is working most often. When not riding, I can hear the relay switch working. I do know that the previous owner had replaced the light switch, turn signal switch, horn unit a while back. He crimped the wires instead of soldering them. Not sure if that could be the reason. Any ideas on why it would work only some, seemingly random, times?

Any help is great. Thanks

Paul

 

[Xmsteel]

I'm by no means a knowledgable bike owner, but I know how wires work. Have you tried wiggling the wires to see if it affects the problem?
I'm not a big fan of crimping. I find taking the wires, twisting them together, then soldering them to be the most reliable.

If you find out for a fact that its the crimp job, I'd go ahead and solder it.

 

[Easy Rider]

The turn signals work sometimes and don't at other times.

In addition to the possible problem with the crimped wires........
On a vehicle that old one always has to suspect corroded or loose bulb sockets.
The actual flasher unit probably plugs into a socket and I'd probably replace that first; could be a simple fix.
Might be able to find the flasher unit by tracing the clicking sound while it is working.

 

[Aussie Steve]

WD40 into the switch

 

[Easy Rider]

WD40 into the switch

One would hope that a "new" switch wouldn't be the cause of the problem.
AND if you do use WD to clean an electrical switch, you must flush it out soon after.
The sticky residue that WD leaves can make the situation MUCH worse down the line a ways.