XS 400 signals

I have an odd situation, but here we go!

I have an 1980 Yamaha XS 400 Special. I replaced the left control
housing, as the switch on the older one was shot for the turn signals,
and replaced with a brand new flasher relay from the dealer.

This is what is odd, when I go to turn on the blinkers left or right it
lights up the back only, and it goes solid for each side selected. It
does this with a singal click of the relay. So the front signals do not
work, and it does not flash, except when I rev the engine to 3,000 they
start flashing?

This is what I have done so far:

- Changed the fuse
- Bought a new relay
- Working left housing

I am thinking it could be bulbs all the way around? Since this kind of
regulates voltage... The wierd thing is that the back signals light up
and only flash when going over 3,000 RPM? Could it be my battery? I am
stumped!

Thanks!

 

However my bike did this once and the cause was a dying battery
you can check it with a multi meter it should have at least 12 v with
ignition off and i believe 12.5 or 12.7 mayby higher when running
hope this helps
see ya

 

This is what is odd, when I go to turn on the blinkers left or right it

I once had this type of thing explained to me. As I understand,
blinkers switches switch on and off by using a bi-metal switch. The
two metals with different thermal expansion properties are put together
in a way that the switch is closed until it heats up. Then the metals
expand and the switch opens. The stip cools and the switch closes
again. So, if you have a bulb out on the front of your car, the back
one stays solid because one bulb doesn't draw sufficient current to
flip the switch.
So, applying this to your situation, a weak battery might not have
enough current to make the switch flip, but when you get to 3000 rpm,
your charging system compensates. It's at least a theory. I'd check
the battery and then make sure you have the proper bulbs in place. The
new parts might require a different load to operate properly. Hope
this helps.

 

Alright! I got it fixed! I reseated all the wires, replaced each bulb,
and used a wire brush to clean the sockets. I then found out in the
headlight bucket that the 2 ground cables, for each front signal were
off, and had to be fastened properly. This got them blinking like a
charm! So the voltage must had overcome the resistance at 3,000.

It is intresting to note however, that the back lights always worked,
and if the grounds are not grounded on the front side, since the system
is looped, then it will just go solid and not flash even on the back.

Thanks Guys!