Left turn signal inop

[KaJuN]

1980 Yamaha XJ650. The right hand signal works just fine but the left stopped working completely. Bulbs are fine and I've put half a can of electrical contact cleaner into the switch with no results. I'm stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Custom85VT]

If you are 100% sure of the bulb and socket the next logical thing is to start tracing the wires back (from bulb) and look for shorts or disconnects. If that fails actually test the switch.

[WAR600]

If it stays on and doesn't flash it's your flasher that needs replaced.

[KaJuN]

The lights don't come on at all. Looks like I'll be doing some wire tracing tomorrow. Oh joy.

[WAR600]

if it's the front blinker I would start inside the headlight. Make sure everything is connected correctly in there first.

[willis1985]

The front and back do not work on the lefts side, or just one? If its just one i would say it could be a socket. if they both are not working it has to be a connection before the left turn signal wire splits off to front and rear or a bad connection in the switch. Just putting a bunch of contact cleaner on the connections will not necessarily give you connection. You have to take all connections completely apart and clean. My starter button quit working on my xj550, i pulled it apart and everything looked clean as a whistle. I took all the connections apart, cleaned them, put contact protector on them, and now it works like new again. Youll just have to start at the switch and test for 12v coming out when the left lights are engaged. If you dont have 12v, you found the problem, if you do, keep following the trail until you loose voltage. You should have no problem finding the proble. good luck. Let us know what you found.

[KaJuN]

Well I checked all the wiring and everything looked good. On a whim I sprayed some WD40 into the switch and bingo! It works like new. I love these cheap and easy fixes.

[WAR600]

contact cleaner didn't work, but WD-40 did? That is weird!

[KaJuN]

The switch moves a lot more smoothly now so maybe something inside was binding up and not allowing contact to be made?

[WAR600]

You're right probably got some crude in it of some sort.

[willis1985]

I would still tear it all apart and clean it. Exspecially now that there is wd40 in it. WD40 will cause all kinds of build up and gunk to stick to the contacts. At least now you are gaurenteed that was the problem. Tear it all down, clean it all good, scuff the contacts with emry cloth, put connector protector on it, and youll be good to go.

[KaJuN]

Easier said than done. The only way that switch is coming apart is if I drill out the screws since they're on there with the combined strength of all the Greek gods and there's no room to clamp on a pair of vice grips.

[WAR600]

try a screw extractor, that should get it out in about 30 seconds.