82 yamaha xs400: right turn signal flashes only while bike is moving?

chud

New member
I just picked up an 82 Yamaha XS400 Heritage Special. The right turn signal only flashes while the bike is in motion. It just stays lit while waiting at an intersection with the signal engaged. Perhaps related to the self-canceling flasher system this bike has?
Thanks for the input!

Yes, both the front and rear right-hand signals both light up, and stay lit while the bike is not moving. Reving the engine while parked seems to make no difference... need to be moving.. probably above 10-15kph. Only the right signal has this problem.

You don't think disconnecting the auto-cancel unit will make any difference? (I haven't been able to locate it yet)
 
The alternator doesn't do much when the bike is idling so your voltage drops. A flasher on it's last legs might quit at 12 volts but work OK at 14 volts. I've never seen a bad engine to chassis ground problem on a bike, but yours does have rubber engine mounts, so it might be possible.
 
There isn't enough current being pulled through the flasher relay. Do both the front and rear bulbs light up? If so, the previous owner may have replaced the flasher with a heavy duty automotive unit made for vehicles pulling trailers.
 
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