Blinker not Blinking

[mvgilpatrick]

I have a V-Star 650 Custom

Right now when I click my blinkers on, both the rear and the front blinker comes on, but does not blink.

My first instinct is that a bulb is out, but all the lights come on fine, they just don't blink.

I followed the service manual and checked my relay, it seems to be working okay.

I really don't know what else to check. Any help would be great!

[Paul-Panic]

Hm...

Well from limited experience I'd say that your bulb might be loose in its socket, OR its your flasher. The flasher is like a $2 part that is basically an alternating light switch that gives your turn signal the flashing effect. If its blown, you'll probably need to replace it. Easy fix.

[Custom85VT]

I just went through this. Is your relay clicking with your signals turned on? If not pull it and clean the connections. If that doesn't work give it a whack with something. All else fails then replace.

[mvgilpatrick]

Well, where would the flasher be on a V-Star, I looked at the parts list and didn't see anything obvious, but I am kinda of a n00b, especially when it comes to electrical.

[GI Jack]

what year is it. because depending on the year, a loose bulb somewhere, or wire disconnecting one light, will cause the entire system to stop blinking. this is mainly something on older bikes.

As in the amperage load from a light going on causes the light to blink.

[sunflashmace7]

hey my recommendation would be get some contact cleaner from autozone its not very expensive and it really does work spray it on the relay contacts to the bulbs and likewise where the contacts on the bulb setup this stuff is magic for electric work and i have used it for years fixing cars

[EatSomeIron]

First check and clean all connections. On my last bike, I had two wires to each bulb, one made it turn on and stay on, the other made it flash. The bike had an aftermarket (i.e. junkyard) headlight, and the previous owner did not remove the old wiring, so when I pulled it all apart it was a chore matching the wires back up.

[rexmitchell]

Sounds suspiciously like a relay like custom mentioned. Check it first.

[porange]

Sounds suspiciously like OP is long gone and this is a ZoMbIe ThRead!! AAAhhh!!!

[Ramsfan87]

Ahhh, my brains! I can see it eating my brains!

[bcane98]

Heck... even if the other guy is gone I am having a similar issue with my friends bike... The relay makes a fast clicking sound when I put the right blinker on, but works fine with the left blinker... I swapped relays and that was not it.

Any suggestions?

[primalmu]

Fast blinking usually indicates a burned out bulb (or one that is on its way out). You get the same effect when you replace regular bulbs with LEDs. The decreased current draw causes the mechanical relay (which works based on current heating up a contact made of two different metals; as the metals heat up, they expand at different rates, causing the contact to bend and break the circuit) to run faster.

[newoldhonda]

You really need to check your blinker fluid, could be low

[primalmu]

You really need to check your blinker fluid, could be low

:coffeescreen:

[bcane98]

No No... the bulbs are not even blinking, both bulbs are out when I initiate the right blinker, when I cancel it, the both come back on. While the right blinker is on, the relay makes a fast clicking sound...

Things I have done:
1. replaced relay
2. swapped bulbs with right side
3. check all wires in the headlight area... no short

I am at a loss... Oh the blinker fluid is good ;)

[rexmitchell]

It has to be the blinker fluid, probly low on fluid.

[EatSomeIron]

just for fun you should switch a few wires around...
unless you have a wiring diagram or color coded wires.