XJ550 Relay confusion

Just bought a 1983 Maxim 550 and the turn signals stay solid, don't flash. Upon reading on other forums it seems to be a relay. My problem is since the part is so old, I don't really know what i'm looking for. Most of the modern day relays I have located are three pronged or have external prongs. What I have found that I THINK is the relay is a small plastic "cube", as I have seen it called, that was located on the right side in front of the battery. It has four prongs in it (I have found three of them total, two were brass colored, one being behind the seat and the other one was next to this plastic one I located. I believe the one I have might be to the lights because the cube itself was warm when I removed it and once removed it changed nothing about the bike running, the lights stayed solid). I cannot find any image of this part, but on sites like bikebandit they have OEM parts that resemble the one I have but I truly don't know what I am looking for. Anyone with any insight will really help me.

Thanks.

 

Welcome to xjbikes

If the Flasher Relay is stock then it requires that 27W bulbs are used in order for it to function correctly. The Flasher Relay should be located under the tank. Also, sufficient voltage is required, so if the battery is weak they may not flash until the bike RPM is raised slightly to allow the AC Generator to up the voltage.

This is what it looks like along with the auto cancel unit:

 

Thanks for the quick reply. So I must remove the tank to access the relay? Also, any clue what I found is? It is almost a perfect cube and the four prongs are not protruding at all.

 

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/yamaha/YP-12R-81950-01-00.html

This is what I have found. It is solid black and is plastic. All research I have found from looking at the Electrical 2 diagram from bike bandit and other OEM part sellers is "relay" and they don't decipher which relay it is and the pictures are really bad.

 

well whatever you do, don't buy that one!
after you figure out what the problem is, contact "chacal" (top right corner of all the pages) he's going to have just what you need for way less than that, way less.
i almost choked when i saw that price

 

This tutorial has a nice pic of the Flasher Relay, and likely your new purchase needs the valves checked along with many other safety related items:

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/airhead-valve-adjustment-with-pics.14827/

This should get you there, but it is always recommended to get a Factory Service Manual to guide you through any repairs / maintenance.

http://frankjohansson.com/stuff/xj550/XJ550ElectricalDiagram.html

A good check list on items for the 550 from a very respected member:

http://xjbikes.wikidot.com/the-list

And, as Polock just commented on, Chacal provides the absolute best customer service and parts for these 30+ year old bikes - upper right corner or:

info@xj4ever.com

And, a lot of very knowledgeable members willing to help with any issue, just ask.

 

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/the-ultimate-relay-switch-sensor-and-diodes-guide.27543/