83 GN125 Turn Signals Messed Up - Help!

[WingMan71]

So, not a GS, but a Suzuki none the less.

I'm just finishing up restoring a nice little 1983 Suzuki GN125. Great little bike and she's all done and rides great. Everything works on it except the right side turn signals don't flash.

All bulbs are good, even the turn signal indicator light is good on both sides, but only the left side turn signals flash.

If I turn on the right turn signals all I get is the turn signal flasher buzzing really fast. I've disassembled and cleaned the turn signal switch on the left handlebar and tested it electrically. It IS sending a signal when the right turn signals are selected. I seem to have voltage at the hot wires going to each turn signal both front and back.

I also swapped some of the hot wires to the signals from side to side just to see if bulbs are working, and they all are. So, it's not a bulb out problem.

Just installed a brand new flasher unit today and no difference. Still no right side turn signals.

What the heck am I missing? HELP!

 

[LAB3]

I'd be looking for a shorted wire on that side. You mentioned swapping sides so it's probably between the flasher and where you plugged it in, an Ohm meter should help you see if a short is the problem.

 

[WingMan71]

I'd be looking for a shorted wire on that side. You mentioned swapping sides so it's probably between the flasher and where you plugged it in, an Ohm meter should help you see if a short is the problem.

LAB3, I presume you mean shorted to ground? On the frame somewhere?

Also, when you say "where I plugged it in", what does "it" refer to in that sentence?

Thanks much for the reply and thoughts on where to look.

 

[LAB3]

A very slow or no blink means the circuit isn't complete or a bad ground. A fast buzz or very fast blink means power is grounding out somewhere. Could be a chafed wire or a bad bulb socket. You mentioned switching sides, somewhere between where you made that swap and the blinker unit is where I'd be looking.

 

[WingMan71]

A very slow or no blink means the circuit isn't complete or a bad ground. A fast buzz or very fast blink means power is grounding out somewhere. Could be a chafed wire or a bad bulb socket. You mentioned switching sides, somewhere between where you made that swap and the blinker unit is where I'd be looking.

Thank you!

I'll get back in there and see if I can find it.

I had to rewire both of the rear turn signals since they had been removed sometime before and whoever did it just cut the wires right where they come out of the turn signal stalks. Not even enough wire sticking out to make a splice, so I had to disassemble them and rewire them. Looks like maybe I screwed up the rear turn signal on the right.

***

 

[LAB3]

Thank you!

I'll get back in there and see if I can find it.

I had to rewire both of the rear turn signals since they had been removed sometime before and whoever did it just cut the wires right where they come out of the turn signal stalks. Not even enough wire sticking out to make a splice, so I had to disassemble them and rewire them. Looks like maybe I screwed up the rear turn signal on the right.

***

If you're using those newfangled LED turn signals it could be the + and - are reversed, maybe someone with some experience with those can chime in on the polarity thing, I've never used them

 

[WingMan71]

If you're using those newfangled LED turn signals it could be the + and - are reversed, maybe someone with some experience with those can chime in on the polarity thing, I've never used them

No LEDs. Still using good old fashioned bulbs.

I think I may have determined the problem late yesterday. I checked the ground on the right rear turn signal and it was questionable at best. So, I connected a jumper wire to the ground washer on that turn signal and connected the other end of the jumper wire to the battery negative terminal. Then tried the right turn signals and they worked!

But, about 20 minutes later when I was still checking other things out, the battery went dead and the headlight wouldn't even come on. So, had to stop checking things. Hooked up the Detran Battery Tender charger to it last night, so I should be able to finish things up today.

Thanks.