L/H Indicator problems

[Honda Al]

Hi everyone,

As the title says, I have an indicator problem. Right hand side works beautifully, left hand side only the rear works and even then just stays on - does not flash. I know the bulb is good at the front, could it be relay?

Any help gratefully received.

Alan 

[JamesH]

Sounds like an earthing problem Al. Have you checked the connections in the headlight bucket and rear earth connection on that side?

[mike the bike]

+1 on an earthing fault.  Best to run an extra wire from a point next to the bulb holder, back to the main loom.  Definitely not the relay as the other side works fine.

[wolfheze]

Another indicator question. The indicators on my 550 work okay but are a little reluctant to get started, first flash takes a second or two to start and is accompanied by a horrible squawk  from the warning buzzer.After that there's no problem.

[deltarider]

Disconnect the buzzer and it will probably work fine. Most of us hate the buzzer and disconnected it anyway.

[MrDavo]

I'll go with connections in the headlamp, check the connections from both the feed wire and the return. If one is completely disconnected its time to get the wiring diagram out to see where it goes. They may just want the bullet pushing into the connector properly to make a firm fit, or clean up any bullet that looks a bit crusty.

When I changed the handlebars I had a nightmare with the connectors in the headlamp, if the front isn't connected right the rear won't flash. Does the orange repeater light flash?

Wolfheze's problem sounds similar - if there is a high resistance somewhere (say a loose or corroded connector) at first it is trying to overcome that, the relay only flashes and squawks the buzzer when the current has 'overcome' the resistance and the circuit gets its mojo back. I had a similar problem that turned out to be dirty handlebar switch contacts, solved by taking it apart and cleaning with brake cleaner.

[mike the bike]

It's more likely to be the earth wire,  not the loom end.  There's usually all sorts of crud and rust to be found.

[wolfheze]

Might be worth checking the switch when the bike comes out of hibernation. Think the connections are all okay as I fitted a new set of indicators last summer and nothing appeared to be corroded.

[Honda Al]

Well, I opened up to headlamp and played around a bit. First only the rear worked, then the front worked, and then finally nothing worked on the left hand side!

Daft question, but where does the system ground on the bike?

Alan

[Bryanj]

Every thing grounds via the green wire up by the coil bracket, it the frame has been powdercoated or painted it needs removing to make contact. The front indicators ground via the wires on the nut holding the shell to the brackets

[Honda Al]

Thanks Bryan, I'll make that next weekends project. Alan

[Chris400F]

If you have a multimeter you can check for a good earth by checking the resistance between the indicator body or the outer part of the bulb holder and the battery negative terminal, which should be next to nothing. If this is OK the problem will be elsewhere.

[mike the bike]

Or you could determine if it's an earth fault by connecting a jump lead from the battery negative to the indicator housing.   If the fault clears then it's a earth fault.
BTW, I wonder what they call the earth connection on other planets.

[Bryanj]

Ground like the aliens across the water

[Honda Al]

I've tried Mike's suggestion and used jump leads. The indicators come on, the one that I've connected, and stay on - no flashing.


Any ideas or remedies?

Alan