Indicator gremlin G/S need help!

[solidstate100]

Hi folks

I wonder if anyone can help?....1984 G/S US VERSION ie with headlight relay and 2 (not 4) position ignition switch. - a new (another!) electrical gremlin has reared its head on my ride this morning. Seems its the price to pay for riding a 30 year odd old classic as a daily bike...

Anyway, the indicators now ONLY work when the main beam flasher/pass switch is operated, and ONLY when the headlight is swithed on. so to clarify - headlight off and pass switch off no indicators. Headlight ON and pass switch NOT operated - no indicators. Headlight OFF and pass ON - no indicators. Headlight ON and pass ON- indicators.

If I try to operate the indicators with the headlight off and the pass switch not operated (ie "normally"), the indicator relay makes a fizzing noise but no indicators. I have substituted the relay for another known good one, same result. I have done a visual check of all wiring (tank is off, front of headlight nacelle off, indicator swith off of bar, all wires SEEM good, and connctors have been inspected and made a broke a few times, nothing obvious.

When the indicators DO work (as above) they operate normally, all bulbs good, idiot light good.

My rudimentry electrics experience seems to be trying to tell me that when the pass is operated with the headlight on, a feed or earth is being made to enable the indicators to work, but as to how.............

Any pointers as to where to start please.

Many thanks!

 

[Northern Monkey]

For me first thing to check would be 12v at the bulb - that way if it's an earth issue its a simple fix - if it's only getting 12v under prescriptive circs then the feed is being diverted from somewhere to somewhere it shouldn't! That's my tuppenceworth , good luck


Sent by magic

 

[solidstate100]

Many thanks, as it happens, now sorted.

After a decent spell of going over the whole wiring system and correcting all those little faults that 30 year old wiring has (loose/dirty/poor connections) PO's wiring bodges aplenty, dirty earths etc all is now well, the root cause overall tho was a loose connection on the back of the apology for a fusebox at the rear of the top frame spine.

Back on the road