Guys, I need some advice on where to start. I was out riding yesterday and my left turn signal stopped working. The right side works fine. The left worked a couple of times yesterday with front, rear and indicator lights working, but then later it had nothing when the button is pushed. I'm guessing it's in the switch itself. Can the contacts be cleaned or do I replace parts? Thanks for any advice.

 

i would check the bulb first, see if its burnt out.

 

Then if that's not it, check and see if the connection is solid. Maybe it vibrated apart.

 

Only make right hand turns? Sorry couldn't help myself, but i do hope you get the bike fixed.

 

Thanks but that's not it. All the left side lights were working, then all of them were not.

 

So remove each bulb and check that it looks fine. You have a fault and bulbs can do odd things! If for example you have a dull bulb that seems to be working, replace it. Swap your bulbs from the left side to the right. If the fault follows the bulbs then replace them both. If nothing has changed then it's down to chasing wiring and grounds. If you have disturbed the left switch housing at any time take a fresh look inside, as it is all too easy to damage one or more of the wires. Dogged persistence will probably solve the puzzle!

 

Thanks Graham! I definitely have an electrical gremlin. (And no gremlin bell yet for the 1200! Coincidence?)

The day after I posted I went out to the bike (which hadn't moved since I parked it w/ the signal issue) and with it just sitting there on the kickstand I tried the turn signal and it worked. If we get some warmer weather I'll take it for a spin to see if it'll act up again. I'll try your troubleshooting tip and will also just start following wires and cleaning things up. The bike's is turning 20 yrs. old, so there's work to do.

 

Over that sort of timescale odd things can happen, like corrosion getting into connectors, grounds corroding, etc, even bulb holders. I haven't suffered this with my Harleys, but on older BMWs I've even had wires break, due to the wiring harness sheathing going hard, then cracking, taking out one or more of the wires inside it. I have a fond expression that many electrical problems are actually mechanical, and these are the sorts of things that stop the busy little electrons dead in their tracks!