stupid question, but can anyone help?

bluemitch

bluemitch

Been Around the Block
I am new to the world of building / fixing up old bikes.

Currently learning on a Yamaha CS3, but scratching my head about the flasher unit.

I have the electrics working- power to the indicators- but they arent flashing.

I have picked up a NOS flasher unit, that I think is the right one, but cannot find the old one to replace.

I know this should be an easy find, but after putting the seat off, draining and taking off the tank, and tracking the wires asa far as I can see- I am at a loss

So hopefully, someone in DTT land has the answer to stop me pulling my hair out
 
That's a very old bike and it is quite likely that the flasher died years ago and was thrown out. Typically the circuit takes power through the flasher and from there to the switch to the lights and to ground.

Where is the power coming from that you have to the lights and is that the way the stock wiring was set out?
 
Sometimes the directionals will light up but not flash if there's a loose connection somewhere in the wiring. I fixed the same problem by pulling apart the connectors (one at a time so you don't get confused) and cleaning them with WD-40. Also maybe check the frame ground (should be a wire attached to the frame, probably near the battery). Good luck!
 
Probably already thought of this but check you b battery voltage. A low battery will cause it not to flash. Always check the simplest possible causes first.
 
pablohoney said:
Probably already thought of this but check you b battery voltage. A low battery will cause it not to flash. Always check the simplest possible causes first.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys for the ideas.

The battery is in need of a good run. Tried the indicators while the bike was running, but might lack of charge.
I like the idea of the simpliest thing first ;D

I think I found where the flasher was? But no flasher can there.
Am I looking for the wrong thing?
 
teazer said:
That's a very old bike and it is quite likely that the flasher died years ago and was thrown out. Typically the circuit takes power through the flasher and from there to the switch to the lights and to ground.

Where is the power coming from that you have to the lights and is that the way the stock wiring was set out?
Click to expand...

Think the wiring is stock... ???
And from the wiring diagrams that I have been able to find- poor on the detail in the pics- where I think the unit should go.
 
On my DS7 the flasher was/is under the tank, mounted in the recess under the rear tank mount/perch. And it looked just like what you think a flasher can should. However, it uses a male bullet connector on one side, and a female bullet on the other. So, if yours is similar, it's possible that the flasher was removed, and those connectors joined.
Check around under the tank for a lone connector. If/when you find one, turn on your signals and unplug that connector. If the signals go out, you found where it is/should be ;)
 
If you traced teh wires to where the flasher can used to be, is the connector still there or was it cut off and the wires taped up. It is quite possible that the flasher can was not shaped like a small cylinder. Weren't older yamaha flashers almost square looking objects?

RD400 used to be a small elongated cube, but when I searched on line all I found was this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/YAMAHA-OEM-FLASHER-RELAY-CS3-CS5-DS7-HS1-R5-RD-TX-XS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cefa42323QQitemZ330438026019QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

It's a conventional 2 wire can.
 
Thanks Teazer & Redbird. The help is invaluable to a rookie like me


Great advice, looked around and found what I think are the can wires, that are male/female, and have just been joined together

I got a flasher unit, similar to the ebay link, and tried joining it up, but not able to get any flashing.


Earlier suggestion was to check the battery charge, the lights are working, but the bike hasnt been out for a full run for a while.
Would that be the problem even with the new flasher unit?
 
A weak battery might not warm up the relay enough for it to work. Put a charger on the battery and get a multimeter so you can confirm voltage.


Also go buy a new solid state flasher unit from your local auto supply place. Take the old one with you. Probably need a 2 blade model. Should cost $5 or so and will work with weaker batteries.


I used one on my XS650 which is running a tiny battery and I rewired the entire thing myself from scratch, and it worked first time out of the box.
 
Mitch, try swapping the wires also. Some flashers (digital ones especially) only work one way.
 
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