Blinker ghost

Had a blinker ghost in the left blinker of my 02 FXDX for about a week. The
blinker would come on as soon as I turned on the ignition and would only
sometimes self cancel. Sometimes I could manually cancel it by punching the
left switch, sometimes not. Sometimes I could cancel it punching the right
switch, sometimes that would activate the four-ways. Some days were worse
than others with me having to split concentration between riding and keeping
my signaling accurate way too much. I was hoping it was just water in the
switch and eventually it would dry up and go away. I decided to open the
switch housing yesterday to see what was what. I loosened the screws holding
the clutch lever against the switch housing and moved it away from the
switch housing then removed the switch housing screws and peeled it off the
handlebars. I put my key in and turned the ignition on. No blinking. I hit
the switch and the blinker came on. I hit it again it went off. I repeated
this a number of times and it seemed the ghost was banished. I reassembled
the housing and retightened the clutch lever assembly and retested the
switch operation. Working like a charm so far. This is the first repair I
have attempted on this bike. The only other work it's required was bearings
in the frame neck and usual maintenance items like tires and brakes. I
haven't even had to replace a light bulb yet. This has been a most excellent
and dependable machine for nearly 50,000 miles. I am very pleased with this
bike.

 

Now you're talking Harold.

Welcome aboard!

...louie

 

I had some contact cleaner around here some place. I was going to flush the
switch out good once I got in there but after seeing it blinking correctly
after just opening the housing I didn't bother trying to find the cleaner.

 

Thanks Louie. My blinker still turns itself on when I turn on the ignition
but so far today it did not come on while riding.