Help! Left Turn Signal Problem...

I bought a 1982 KZ550 last November. I discovered that the left signal lights (front and back) do not work when I went to get it running this spring. Also, the left turn signal indicator on the console is lit up (not flashing). The headlight, brake light and both right signal lights seem to work perfectly.

This is my first bike so I don't have much experience with motorcycle repair, but here is what I have done so far:

1) check the sockets to see if there is juice (which there is);
2) removed the bulbs, cleaned the contacts, and put in new bulbs (even though the old ones looked fine);
3) checked the fuses (they all looked good);
4) checked the contacts to the signal lights (looked good - the front signal lights are definitely newer than 1982 but the rear ones are original and not in the best shape); and
5) replaced the signal flasher relay.

None of this did a thing and at this point I have no idea what to do next. Replace the signal lights themselves? Try and follow the entire wire and all connections? Any suggestions would be really appreciated! Thanks!

Get a wiring diagram and chase the color for the left side out of the switch. Since it is the front and rear it most likely has something to do with that wire.

"left turn signal indicator on the console is lit up (not flashing). "... Normally indicates one or both bulbs out thus no blink, constant illumination when turn signal (left) is activated...

As kaw mentioned, open wiring would do the same since current draw isn't being recognized...

If the dashboard light is lit the two turn signal bulbs on that side should also be lit. On mine, they are wired to the same power. The "no flash" means there is not enough current flowing through the flasher unit. I suspect one or both of the lines to power the turn signal bulbs is open, hence not enough current. If they are not lighting, you have to trace out the wires that go to them.

Low on blinker fluid?




Might want to double check that both signals are grounding properly. I've had bikes where the signals would light up but not flash because the grounds weren't snugged up properly...

Brilliant! I'll give this a shot a.s.a.p. Thanks for the wiring diagram!

Thanks again for the suggestions everyone. I took about 45 seconds and found this wonderful looking ground wire mess (I hope you can see from the photo). Does anyone have suggestions about what do with this? I'm not even certain what this is supposed to look like when it is in a state of good repair.

Thanks!

Here is the photo... apparently there is a size limit on what you can post. I'm not certain if this is the problem, but it certainly isn't helping things.

yeah, have to say that ground wire looks toasted....

Does anyone know how this is supposed to look? Maybe even have a picture?