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Ok, this is probably the third time I've started a thread about my annoying turn signal problem, but I can't get this thing to go away!!

Quick recap of whats happening: Occasionally my turn signals will begin flashing quickly, but both bulbs (rear and front) are flashing quickly, so neither of them are burned out. As Boxer suggested once, I checked the ground wire, and all seems ok, all the insides of the turn signals look good, nothing loose, disconnected, or frayed. Then I went ahead and bought a new flasher relay, that didn't help at all either. So I had the bike in for an inspection today and just mentioned it to the mechanic who said they have seen a few BMW's that do that if you have the wrong bulb in. I did replace the bulbs a few years ago when one went out and thinking about it now, it may have started doing that sometime after that (can't really remember though). He said to make sure it has 12 volt, 21 watt bulbs, so how do I find good replacements that I can be sure are the correct volt and wattage?? I thought I had the right bulbs last time but maybe I was wrong. If new (and correct) bulbs don't fix them I'm going to go insane.

PS The good thing is they still passed it for inspection since both bulbs do blink, just sometimes they want to blink really fast.

22

Beemeridian wrote:Advance Auto Parts has amber turn signal bulb 7507. I don't remember if that particular bulb has the 120 degree bayonet or not, but if it does not, file off one of the bayonets.

Nonetheless; do you have a Kisan Signal Minder installed? Do the bulbs still blink rapidly using the emergency button?

I suggest you pull the tank and inspect ALL of the wiring, especially beneath any tie-straps. You will find that most of your wiring tie-straps are too tight. They should all be replaced with looser ones.

I'm pretty sure the 7507 is the bulb I put in a few years ago, so that shoots down the mechanic's theory.

I don't have a Signal Minder installed, I just bought a new flasher relay though to see if that fixed and it didn't help at all, so there doesn't seem to be a problem with the relay. Also, yes all the bulbs blink PERFECTLY with using the emergency flashers. The problem only occurs when using the turn signals.

As for inspecting all of the wiring, I did that last time I had the tank off to replace the battery, didn't seem to be a broken wire causing the problem either. Sooooo, I'm all out of ideas, and even though the bike still operates fine, it's just one of those super annoying things that I'm thinking I'm going to just have to take to the BMW dealership in St Louis to have them look at it sometime.

Hi,

I have the exact problem.

My bike has gone in for a service and I will collect it tomorrow. The good ting is that it was doing it as I turned into the workshop and the service manager could see what I was talking about.

It has only happened twice in the last 3 weeks. I have no frayed wires, not to sure about what bulbs are in there.

I'll report back once I get the bike back and any resolution from the service manager. He had a 1150R as well, so I expect mine to run 'perfectly'

Cheers,

Pete

If this happens only occasionally and if replacing the relay as well as the bulbs does not cure the problem then logic says that it can only be the connectors or the wires. Hence I would clean the connectors (use a bit of sandpaper) and next check/measure all the wires running to the turnsignals.

Brgds
Oliver

How about the infamous cable tie problem?

Rog

Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales wrote:How about the infamous cable tie problem?

It shouldn't be that, I cut all those off years ago. I may try cleaning the connectors like Oliver had mentioned. I think I'm going to replace all the bulbs, clean the connectors, and put some more electric grease on them.

In any vehicle system, it's often a short that causes rapid blinking like that.

And of course, intermitten shorts are a bugger to find.

Maybe try taking one bulb out at a time and using the signals on that side
and see if there's any change or difference.

Might hit it lucky and at least narrow it down to either front or rear wiring.

I used to be Shop Foreman taking care of over $100 million of heavy equipment
incl a big fleet of dump trucks and semi-trucks that got lots of rough use.
Lord but sometimes those same kinds of problems used to drive us nuts.

Best of luck!!

Share what you find out when you do get it figured out - that's bound to be
one tip more than one rider will be able to use some time or other.