Hi all,
I have a 99 Drifter 1500 and every time I turn ignition ON, left turn signal is blinking. That did not happen before. I always turn handlebars to the left when parked - not sure if that could affect it somehow.
Any ideas?
Does it cancel when you press the button in?
Ever since I've had my 800, many times (but not always) when I turn my key on, I also have a turn signal on. I'm not sure if it's always the same side or not. It does cancel like it should when punched. I thought maybe I was somehow accidentally bumping the switch when dismounting, but A couple times I made absolutely sure it was off before I turned off the key, then it was on anyway. So I finally gave up trying to figure it out. Weird, but has never caused any further problems. ???
It happens with mine too. First noticed it after I changed out all four turn signals.
It happens with mine too. If I remember it right I read somewhere it is a general Vulcan issue, so not related to Drifters only. And no cause and thus solution found.
It does cancel when I press the button. It is always left side. I made sure I am not hitting the button before shutting it down and made sure it was not blinking.
If I turn ignition ON in 30-60 seconds after the motor was stopped - it does not blink. If it sits for 2-3 minutes or longer - it does blink.
That`s weird - it did not happen before... Well, at least I am not the only one ))
lol ok I noticed that to always the left side and only when a fresh start or after sitting for a bit. I asked around and tried to find the reason.....ok was finally told it was a safety thing, how or why was never explained to me, so not sure. Goggle was no help here either nor was a dealer so something to look into.......
I rode mine into work this afternoon, and sure enough the blinker was on when key on. This was the right blinker this time, but I've never checked before. I think that's really weird that all of these bikes do that...
That's strange, because mine has never done this.
Quote from: greenbarn on May 07, 2013, 12:07:36 PM
I rode mine into work this afternoon, and sure enough the blinker was on when key on. This was the right blinker this time, but I've never checked before. I think that's really weird that all MANY of these bikes do that...
I should rephrase that statement
Mr. Greenbarn I noticed it the first time I rode the bike and was thinking like others that I had activated it somehow, and then noticed it was doing it on its own and now I want to know why...so I'll post the question on the DOGUK forum and see if they can tell me...
Mine doesn't do it. I'm wondering how it could happen, except that there is a possibility that a wire from the left bar could be pinched when the bars are at full lock. If the signal impulse from the switch goes to the module, I can see it happening..
Mine did it..99 1500
Mine does this also ('99 1500) But I've noticed it more when I park for a short period and restart, My guess is that it has something to do with the self canceling system... That added to parking and turning the wheel to the left... Like I said just a guess, I've gotten so use to it that I automatically push the blinker to cancel once I start the bike.
now I ma going to have to park and turn the whell the wrong way and see what happens and try diffrent things....
I posted the same question on Vulcan forum -take a look what I came up to.
http://www.vulcanforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52482 (http://www.vulcanforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52482)
Also, found this one
http://www.vulcanforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7571 (http://www.vulcanforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7571)
I posted the question on DOGUK and had a Swedish member responed with this answer to the question....
From what I've learnt, it's a security thing.
The Drifter was originally designed by an american and there, as in most other countries in the world, You drive to the right. This means, that if You've parked Your bike along the road and then start and get ready to go, the left indicator automatically starts flashing to let other trafficants see You're on Your way out in the traffic.
I understand, that in England or Australia it should have been the RIGHT side indicator but I assume that for economic reasons they didn't change this thing on the bikes being exported to these countries.
Talking to politicians???
Quote from: CDNRatMan on May 08, 2013, 18:41:33 PM
I posted the question on DOGUK and had a Swedish member responed with this answer to the question....
From what I've learnt, it's a security thing.
The Drifter was originally designed by an american and there, as in most other countries in the world, You drive to the right. This means, that if You've parked Your bike along the road and then start and get ready to go, the left indicator automatically starts flashing to let other trafficants see You're on Your way out in the traffic.
I understand, that in England or Australia it should have been the RIGHT side indicator but I assume that for economic reasons they didn't change this thing on the bikes being exported to these countries.
really interesting issue. Mine does it also, although i thought it was my fault....having switched the bike off with the left indicator on...
Fellow members,my left blinker also does this on start ups.Cancels right out and no other issues so I kind of figured it was some type of security set from the factory.Funny thing is I never posted this question but,.know glad someone has ;D
My 99 1500 also does this when started from a cold start. I never thought much about it and always cancelled it out before taking off.
Dan
Appears to be more of an early model issue...Time for some research.
One of the folks from Vulcan forums posted today:
------
Well... I think I solved it. I tried both...
Made sure my switch was cancelled and when I came out, there was no blinkers going when I turned the key on. Then I also let it auto cancel on my last turn and left it like that. When I came out and turned my key on, it had reset the auto cancel and the blinked was on and blinking.
Mystery solved...
------
The funniest part about it - majority of us have left turn signal blinking...
superfragl,I'm not to convinced that your mystery is solved,LOL.Reason being yeah 9 out of 10 times on my return home It's a left hand turn into my driveway garage.However,honestly I can't say I use my turn signal before entering my driveway"all the time"...LOL!!!!!I'd hate to say this but,I'll almost bet if you go fire your ride up now that left blinker will be winking at ya ;D ;)
))) Will check it out tomorrow or Saturday - depends of weather conditions. Will post back ASAP.
Today, before leaving to work I pushed the button, cancelling turn signal (in case it was ON). Will see what happens.
I'm going to check mine now and if it's on I'll cancel it out and try again tomorrow and also will post back the results ;)
ok just came in from the shed.......
yesterday got home and drive right to shed no signal lights since last corner, stopped truned off bike via keys, pushed it into the shed, leand over and wheel to the left. Did not use the bike today due to work reasons, read the last coupls posts. So went out and inserted key and turned it to on position. Lo and behold the left turn signal commenced a flashin, dash light also flashing.
So I turned it off, turned bars to right, pushed cancel on switch ......will check in the morning......
Mine never does this...I suspect it's a wiring problem to the turn signal switch. This is a perfect example of how the same stuff happens to people due to mass hysteria!
My 2002 800 does it at every start...left signal blinking, so perhaps not an early model issue. Never thought much about it, since it was consistent. Just thought it was a default.
There has to be a manufacture reason for this.Someone did mention a safety feature for pulling off witch would make sense but, if they went that far for safety,why my rear running lights?I don't believe it to be an issue being there's to many of us with this.
Only had my bike for 8 months now but it hasn't done it once, yet! I only have 3100 miles on her so far and curious to see if it develops over time. Depending on which way I come home I can turn right or left on my last turn up my street and sometimes I remember to push the turn signal off and sometimes it does it auto. Hope this mystery gets solved eventually. I will watch for it everytime I start now.
Take care,
Pete
Guess what?..
It did not do it this morning. Yesterday morning I pushed the button just to make sure it was cancelled and left to work (did not take the bike).
I will check it again tonight when I leave. I made sure I cancelled it manually before shutting off.
ok raining really good right now but went out to the shed......and
Quoteyesterday got home and drive right to shed no signal lights since last corner, stopped truned off bike via keys, pushed it into the shed, leand over and wheel to the left. Did not use the bike today due to work reasons, read the last coupls posts. So went out and inserted key and turned it to on position. Lo and behold the left turn signal commenced a flashin, dash light also flashing.
So I turned it off, turned bars to right, pushed cancel on switch ......will check in the morning......
inserted key turned it on and no flashing signal lite........ok
turned the bars back to natural position and left, going to take care of some house chores and will check later ...
ok like 3 hours later, and went out to clean the shed a bit, inserted the key and turned it on, no signal light.......ok going to try once more in the morning, but thinking now that having pressed the cancel after it was off it will not blink till I start it once more......
So, here's what I've been able to glean from the service manual. In the off position, no wires are making momentary contact. Left turn connects the black/yellow and yellow/red wires with the green and orange wires, which send a signal to the control unit for left signal. right signal connects the gray wire instead. If the combination of any of these wires were to be shorted against each other when the key is turned, It will trigger a signal to the controller. If this was actually planned, I'm sure Kawasaki would have written it in the owner's manual..or the service manual...This appears to be a fault that develops over time that is typically Japanese consistent throughout the model range.
;) ok not an electrican but were would we start to see if there is a short, at the ignition first or the switch?
The first thing you need to do is isolate components. I would start by taking the headlight out and finding the wiring harness that runs up to the switch. once you find the harness, disconnect the wires and see if the problem returns. You will have no turn signals, but you can still use hand signals until you figure it out...I just went out and split my left switch pod. I honestly never looked at the switch gear until just now. The switch makes contact and then the BUTTON moves back to the center. The switch, itself remains where it was last put, so if you make a left, the signal cancels automatically, but the switch remains in the left position. If you push in on the button, it centers. The contacts are pretty open to the elements, so maybe a shot of WD-40 into the switch gear, and work it back and forth a few times...could just be crud build up inside the switch making the signal to the controller at key on....
Great info Troll.My blinker was also off when I just checked as well...lol....Troll am I understanding this correctly,give a shot of WD40 to the blinker switch lever and just work it in?or take the switch apart?Maybe my good friend Ratman could post a pic for me.While were on the blinker subject does the 800 have 4 ways and if so how do you turn them on?Never had a reason to use this signal but,saw a bike on the side of the road with his flashers on and it got me thinking about this.....
ok weather depending tomorrow, I'll first take the switch off the bar and ensure it is clean, use canned air then short spray of WD-40 and work it in.....
D1 you want a pic, me... shovelling snow, Top hat and Trench coat or snorkelling in the snow?
Nope, no 4x flasher...could be wired in though..not a very difficult installation. Take the 2 phillips screws out of the back and split the housing. All the switches are on the front side. You will see what to do as soon as you look inside...
ok rain let up and so went out and used canned air to clean and blow the switch clear. Spayed WD-40 into switch area and worked it around for a bit, remounted the switch. So now weather dependent on tomorrow I'll take it for a ride and park it as per normal and see what happens. An Troll is correct no 4x flashers on the 800.....
I didn't think so guys,thank you for clearing this up for me.It's suppose to rain all day tomorrow here as welso I'll go tinker around in the garage and take a look at that switch and if need be use your advice Troll.
Ratman that scar is still there dude....I'll definately pass on the pics you have suggested :P
boy talk about needing mood altering drugs.....
Quotemy good friend Ratman could post a pic for me
less then an hour later....
QuoteRatman that scar is still there dude....I'll definately pass on the pics you have suggested
as unperdictable as my ex wife you are........
LOL.....I just figured my good friend,being your photogenic you could post a pic of the switch for others to see what/were to spray and clean ;)
oh ok I can do that in the morning.......
Quote from: Troll on May 10, 2013, 14:22:28 PM
If the combination of any of these wires were to be shorted against each other when the key is turned, It will trigger a signal to the controller. If this was actually planned, I'm sure Kawasaki would have written it in the owner's manual..or the service manual...This appears to be a fault that develops over time that is typically Japanese consistent throughout the model range.
If this were a situation caused by a short, I would think someone would eventually report an issue of a signal coming on during riding sometime - not just when the key is off. I'm more inclined to think is't more of - "where-ever you leave the switch last, that's what happens when you turn the key back on". However, this doesn't exactly fit my situation - last 2 times I found mine blinking, it was a right blinker - but my turn into the house and at work are both left turns.....
Hmmm I love a good mystery...
well greenbarn my last turn into the driveway is normally a left turn, but I live on a very quiet and seldom used street, so very rare for me to use the signal light to turn into my drive way......more mystery to build on......lol.....
My 99 1500 has done this since I got it, but not every time.
I started paying attention, last turn going to work, on main road, left turn.
Start up after work, left turn signal on.
Going home, last turn is right turn, off of state highway, (so I use the signals) next morning right signal.
When I are a concerted effort to turn off the signal manually, before I kill it, it does not turn on when started later.
I THINK, it is a fact that if the switch is in its last position, it will turn on when switched.
And when in the neutral position, it doesn't.
When I turn the key, I check the p.o.s.t(power on self test) to make sure all my indicator lights go off, then I cancel the turn signal, and hit the starter....
45 Bravo
Well I canceled out the left blinker last night and just checked to see if it would come on.Just wanted to inform everyone it didn't.Like the rest of ya,it never was perceived as an issue being while riding the blinkers operate as designed.By this I mean they both self cancel and such.This is why I never believed it to be a concern of any sort.I will however take TROLLS advice and give the switch a cleaning.Let's face it every other nook and cranny on the bike has been either cleaned or lubed......at least I think?....
It can't hurt...I have tried several times to MAKE it do it, but it won't. All it takes is a signal (I suspect it's the orange/green wires) and the signal unit will start it's cycle. Since the switch is in the last position it was set for when the engine was stopped, a fresh signal to the box is sent. Here's a quote from page 28 of the owner's manual:"The turn signal switch is automatically canceled after it has first been on for 8 seconds, and the motorcycle has traveled an additional 65 M (213 ft)* However, make a practice of pushing the switch in to stop flashing."
*mine flashes 15 times...sometimes I wish it were longer
Troll thanks for the quote.Being I'm not the original owner unfortunately I'm lacking the owners manual.I'll report back when I disassemble the switch and see if maybe It's built up with crud,or perhaps cobwebs being It's most likely never been taken apart ::)
ok last night I used can air to blow the switch area clean and then sprayed WD-40 on it and worked it in. Went for a ride today, parked walk around the Shine&Show and went back yup was flashing........so I came home and looked at it really close and Troll is correct, it will stay were it is after the turn unless you cancel it .....
That's correct,indeed!If you simply don't cancel out the last directional the switch will sense this when you refire up the bike,at least on the 800 earlier models.I'm not sure if the later model 800's or the 1500 will also do this?
Troll and Ratman,I went back in the garage checked for that mysterious left blinker flashing and it was still inactive.I took the cover off and it looked clean so I just hit it with a tiny bit of lube anyhow.Guess us 800 riders are just going to have to get in the habit of canceling out the signal before shutdown as Troll mentioned the owner manual states.The funny thing about this whole thread seems to be a lot of left turns to end the journey,kinda like NASCAR Drivers....LOL ;)
Mine does it all the time. Hot or cold, wet or dry the left indicator comes on when start it. Like many, my last use of the indicator is on a right turn into my drive. Go figure! I doubt if any wires are worn or crossed causing it to happen and as long as nothing else is affected, I', cool with it.
I mforgot to let you know but I asked Ken the guy I met at the Ride For Dad if his 1500 did the same thing, lo and behold he said always on start up. So some 800 and 1500's do it always........mystery increases......
I suppose I should count myself lucky since mine doesn't do it unless I leave the signal blinking when I shut it off...I would expect it do do that, in that case.