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[Crissa]

So yesterday I was coming home and the fog formed up hard at skyline which left me riding in the wet for the first time.

By the time I got home, my indicators had malfunctioned.  Not sure when it happened, but they're straight dead.  There's no ticking, no blinking, no dash indicator either direction.

I'm new to bikes, but not repairs or electronics.  Since everything is dead, I'd think I should look at the power supply or indicator switch.  But I don't know where to look for those things on my bike at all!

Has anyone done this repair before?  Can I get a walk-through anywhere?

Thanks.
-Crissa

[Richard230]

When I bought my first 2012 Zero, the turn indicators didn't work at all, even before I left the showroom.  The dealer then removed the turn indicator flasher device from a 2011 Zero and installed that on my 2012> That solved the problem.  That solid-state switch was located under the "tank" behind the headlight, as I recall. However, I am not sure where it is located on the later bikes.  But it should be easy to find by tracing the wires from one of the flasher assembles or the turn signal switch.  You might have to replace the flasher component if that is the problem. But first try spraying WD40, or something similar, into your bar-mounted switch.

If you do need a new flasher box, I believe that just about any one will work from a Japanese motorcycle, purchased from a local shop, or you can source one from Zero, which might take a while to arrive. I am pretty sure they don't cost much.

[Crissa]

The unofficial manual says it's 'in front of the plastics area, under the wishbone' which I've been trying to find for like an hour.  https://zeromanual.com/wiki/File:Tank-relay-connectors.jpg

I can't find the flasher controller in the parts list at all, either.

-Crissa

[Doug S]

Turn signals are pretty simple. If you've got headlights and the dashboard is powered up, it's not the DC-DC converter...you must have good power. Measure for 13.3VDC just in case.

Since it sounds like it's affecting all turn signals, it couldn't be a single bulb or housing. It must be something they all have in common.

So you're on a good track with the flasher, all the turn signals share that. Also check for a blown fuse (probably the most likely thing), and maybe the switch. But that's really about all that the turn signals all share in common.

[Crissa]

Spouse suggested wiring harness, too.  So I'm about to dig into it and see.

I'm guessing that the harness and flasher relay is under the tank in the front, so I'm following the unofficial manual's teardown for seat, then tank, then going to poke at it with a multimeter.

[ESokoloff]

Yes the tank has to come off (2016 DSR).
I can't remember exactly where it is but (think I) recall it being between the wishbone & tank bag zipped tied to the frame. 
The flasher is not solid state & if you replace it as I recall two of the terminals are swapped in relation to the most common  relays. 
I changed mine to solid state to avoid led issues & I ended up swapping these two wires in the relay socket to achieve compatibility.

[Crissa]

Wishbone is the part where the frame comes up to the steering column?

I wasn't able to take it apart today because I seem to have misplaced my toolkit when preparing for entertaining friends this last weekend x-x  I looked everywhere and wasted the whole day.  At least lots of other tools got put away...

-Crissa

[ESokoloff]

Wishbone is the part where the frame comes up to the steering column?


-Crissa

Yes.   

After removing the tank it will be reveal it’s self.
In the image you posted, it’s ziptied to a clip that’s attached to the bottom of the wishbone.   
It’s plugged into a 3 wire socket.   
You won’t miss it but remember that the flasher terminal arrangement is not the norm (if you end up replacing it but swapping the two correct wires at the socket is a work around). 
Per my Notes: 3-24-18 Installed Electronic Signal Flasher (had to swap +- on plug)

[Crissa]

I removed the tank and was unable to find the box in the photo.  There were some smaller boxes, and an SAE clip.  There were two smaller junction boxes with way more zip ties and in a way, not enough zip ties.

Thanks Eric, that was the one I thought it was.  But if I wriggled the wire they'd work for a second.  So I'm taking it to the dealership in the morning.  No signals are annoying, but I don't have to ride the freeway (in fact prefer not to; Hwy 17 is way above my skill level) so I can hand-signal my way there.

Sounds like they'll take responsibility for it being suddenly loose (They did replace the MBB and have it in the shop for two weeks).

It was still fun learning how to take the tank off.  The machine screws holding the front together were a serious pain!  I ended up use a 1" bit on my right-angle quick-release driver.  Put that on the variable-speed household driver and that worked like a charm, but gosh it made me want the pop-clips from the skirt of my car!

-Crissa

[Doug S]

The machine screws holding the front together were a serious pain!

Amen, sister! Many of us have been dealing with that nonsense for years now. When I got my Chapman tool kit, it has sideways-drive screwdriver bits, and those work well, too.

At least you narrowed the problem down for the dealer. And it doesn't sound like anything too serious, just a bad connection.

[Crissa]

...And I realized I forgot to plug it in last night in my haste to get to the movies and to bed.  Augh.  I could've sworn I put it to bed with 95% not 35% but ohwell.

So I guess I get a nap in before taking it to drop it off.

I ordered the Chapman kit, too!  It looked nice and compact.  Also, my car kit doesn't have any extenders (there's nothing I've found to need them on it) and it's always nice to have the tools with the job.

-Crissa

[ESokoloff]

...And I realized I forgot to plug it in last night .........

-Crissa

I’ve NEVER done this (at least not this week)

[Crissa]

Well, I went and they think it's the relay but observed the same wriggly-wire problem.  So apparently I owe them for the relay if that fixes it but if it doesn't, they'll cover all this?  Whatever.

Apparently they won't have a spare part until Friday.  So I rode the hour back home!

At least I'm getting lots of riding in.  This is my first motorcycle, and I need practice.  Driving over the hill is definitely practice!  Most riders on Hwy 9 do it for 'fun'.   This was the first time I hit 70Wh/m from my trip average.

-Crissa

[Shadow]

...I ordered the Chapman kit, too!  It looked nice and compact....

Earlier review of the Chapman stuff:
Gear Review: Chapman Manufacturing Co. Model #1916

The star bit for brake pads is also handy to have, as are the gunsmithing flathead bits for adjusting the shocks. I think the seat bolts need just a little more torque than the chapman ratchet can take repeatedly. Still would leave room for a small socket wrench to handle the 5mm and 6mm hex bits and seat bolt T45s. I used the bit extender with the 3mm to get at the deeply recessed fasteners either side of the DC-DC doghouse when removing tank plastics. There are some small fasteners on the brake lever microswitch, I think I kept a 5mm and 6mm allen key bundled with my go kit.

[Crissa]

The Chapman kit was lovely!  It was much more compact than I anticipated.  I'm totally going to lose it, but until then, I really like it.  I'm glad it was recommended in the unofficial manual.

Most of my work will be at the house, so I'll probably just use my power driver that I can set to super-low toque.  It made quick work once I knew where all the screws were.

-Crissa