95 magna burning smell, turn signal blinking too fast

jpeleven2002 · January 23, 2013, 08:08:20 PM

Hey guys, I just noticed that my blinker is blinking too fast. Actually, the rear left side doesn't blink at all. I have also noticed a burning smell sometimes. Could these be related? I'm in no way a mechanic or "bike guy" but I love riding. I changed the rear bulb, thinking this would ease the prob, but to no avail. Any suggestions would be helpful.

lragan · January 23, 2013, 09:35:16 PM

Where are you located?

It sounds as if you have a short path to ground on the wire leading to the left rear blinker. You will need to remove the seat to find it. There is a plug behind the battery box that it connects through. There is a wire bundle that feeds through the left side of the rear fender to the left rear turn signal light. My guess is that you will notice discoloration somewhere along this wire. If the insulation is hardened, as I suspect it will be, you should replace the length of wire, after you figure out where it is shorting to the chassis. It will be discolored/burned in front of the fault point, but not behind it.

It is also possible that the turn signal socket is shorted somehow, but not very likely. You can determine this by removing the wires from the turn signal light fixture and see if the blinker slows to normal speed or less.

I would fix this right away, as you are stressing the wiring harness and the flasher. It is possible, but not likely, that a fire could result. That could ruin your whole day...

hootmon · January 23, 2013, 10:45:16 PM

Follow what Lawrence said, but I will throw this out as well...

While you have the seat off do the following...

I had a burning smell on mine once, I thought a car near me had a brake issue...
Turned out to be a regulator connector issue...
This is NOT related to your blinker issue...
I would suggest that you check the two connectors under the seat between the fender and the cross beam just behind the battery... These connectors are fed through a plastic bracket at the back of the battery box... They are a little hard to get to, but worth checking for any sign of heat... I would suggest while you have them apart, put a little dielectric grease (which you can get at any auto parts store) on each spade to increase connectivity and slow any corrosion from getting started...

Magnum Magna · January 23, 2013, 10:50:33 PM

Probably not making the smell but fast flashing normally means a bulb is burned out or a wire is disconnected. I would think one of the wires are shorted to ground like already said. Could even be the relay has gone bad. I will look to find my extra relay.

jpeleven2002 · January 24, 2013, 10:41:33 AM

Iragan, I'm in San Antonio. Thanks for the advise so far gentlemen. I'll see what I can see and get back to you.

lragan · January 24, 2013, 01:59:30 PM

I live southwest of Austin. If you want to ride up here without using the turn signals, we can tackle it in a wrench session at my house.

jpeleven2002 · January 24, 2013, 02:44:47 PM

cool. I might take you up on that.

SkyRide · January 25, 2013, 06:43:05 AM

I love wrenching with Lawrence, but I am closer, NW San Antonio.

My Magna is a 1st gen, but I do have considerable electrical experience and all the tools. I would enjoy looking at it with you.

Rick Frankenberger

jpeleven2002 · January 27, 2013, 01:16:45 PM

Rick, I would LOVE that! How can I get in touch with you? I would hate to miss out riding in this beautiful weather. I have NO electrical experience, and very little mechanical experience. But I'm not afraid to learn!

lragan · January 27, 2013, 01:20:31 PM

Quote from: jpeleven2002 on January 27, 2013, 01:16:45 PM
... How can I get in touch with you? ...

jpeleven2002, look just under Rick's signature block. Click on the square "balloon" to send a personal message.

If you guys set up a date, let me know. If possible, I will ride down and kibitz...

SkyRide · January 27, 2013, 03:48:42 PM

Lawrence,

We are zeroing in on Friday morning about 9:00. Love to have you.

Rick

Magnum Magna · February 01, 2013, 02:56:58 PM

Just found flasher relay.
Is both sides flashing fast or just one?
Or have you fixed it?

jpeleven2002 · February 03, 2013, 01:53:28 PM

Just one side was flashing fast. The front left blinker and the light on my instrument panel(?). The left rear was not flashing at all. I'm supposed to get together with Rick this friday am. to work on it. Don't know what we'll find.

Magnum Magna · February 04, 2013, 08:56:32 PM

Sorry for the silly question but did you check the rear bulb is good?
99 % of the time you can look at the bulb to see if it is bad.

hootmon · February 04, 2013, 09:08:36 PM

Quote from: Magnum Magna on February 04, 2013, 08:56:32 PM
Sorry for the silly question but did you check the rear bulb is good?
99 % of the time you can look at the bulb to see if it is bad.

I started to ask the same question yesterday, but saw in the 1st post that he said he replaced the rear bulb.. LOL..