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Can't figure this out... (Turn Signals)

  • Thread starter Thread starter DarkOnyx
  • Start date Start date
D

DarkOnyx

Guest
I was just riding last week when I found out that my turn signals spontaneously stopped functioning on my GS850. I had taken the small compartment out behind the battery to review my insurance information that day so I double checked to see that I didn't create any frayed or shorted wires when I put it back. Everything seems to check out fine.

All other functions of the electrical system seem to work fine, headlight, brake light, ignition... everything. No turn signals.

When I eventually got the bike back home the turn signals started working again, so I never minded the issue.

Today, it seems that they went down for the count. I can't find any frays or shorts. What's going on here?

The manual seems to indicate that a corroded ground wire could be the issue, but I am not sure that's true. I'll check that tomorrow when it stops raining outside.

Any ideas? Thanks for any help.
 
Hi Mr. DarkOnyx,

Intermittent electrical issues are the most trying. Check and clean all (bullet, molex) connections and grounds, maybe replace a few with blade connectors. Check for continuity (that's just a fancy word for making sure the wire itself has no breaks inside the insulation). Then perhaps take a close look at the flasher unit (turn signal relay). Let's hope it's not the turn signal control unit ($$$). Do you have a manual with the testing procedure? 850 manual is on my website.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
Thanks for the response.

I have a manual with the testing procedure, but it'll take careful studying before I can really do a thorough job with it. I am hoping that it's a corroded ground wire or a short.

In spite of curiosity, what is a blade connector?

Thanks for the advice, I will go through all of that tomorrow.
 
pictures! Woohoo!

pictures! Woohoo!

MALE BLADE CONNECTOR
RedMalePushOn.jpg


FEMALE BLADE CONNECTORS
783203.jpg
 
Narcoleptic_Snowman said:
MALE BLADE CONNECTOR
RedMalePushOn.jpg


FEMALE BLADE CONNECTORS
783203.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks Snowman. Rats. I was hoping that this would be an easy fix. I got at it a bit just now and found out it's not a ground cable corrosion issue nor is it a fuse issue.

I am running out of the easy answers. Charging the battery now according to the testing procedure in the manual.
 
goooood luck. I'm having my own wiring issues with my brake light... Wiring is my least favorite thing on any motor vehicle. I'd rather rebuild an entire engine that work on wiring...
 
Narcoleptic_Snowman said:
goooood luck. I'm having my own wiring issues with my brake light... Wiring is my least favorite thing on any motor vehicle. I'd rather rebuild an entire engine that work on wiring...
Click to expand...

I hear you on that. Uggggh.... electrical problems... what a mess.
 
I had problems with the turn signals on my bike a while back ('76 GS750) it turned out that the 30 year old turn signal relay was toast. I picked up a generic 12V automotive signal relay from Canadian Tire for like $10, works fine.
 
And yes, new blade connectors are the way to go, I've been replacing every bullet connector I see with them. It's nearly impossible to troubleshoot electrical problems when you have old, corroded connections everywhere.
 
My GS850GN was having the same issue. The turn signal control box for my year of bike costs around 250-305 USD new. Another rider on this forum gave me an alternate way of utilizing the turn signals without buying a new box. After some working through it, it worked without issue (and is still working now). Here is the link to that post.
 
jrazz said:
My GS850GN was having the same issue. The turn signal control box for my year of bike costs around 250-305 USD new. Another rider on this forum gave me an alternate way of utilizing the turn signals without buying a new box. After some working through it, it worked without issue (and is still working now). Here is the link to that post.
Click to expand...

What is the "Turn signal control box"? I can't seem to get a good picture of it. Is it those plates just beneath the battery? If so... mine is BADLY corroded.
 


Bah, the photo is upside-down. The box is beneath the battery box.
 
Last edited:
Anthony said:
I had problems with the turn signals on my bike a while back ('76 GS750) it turned out that the 30 year old turn signal relay was toast. I picked up a generic 12V automotive signal relay from Canadian Tire for like $10, works fine.
Click to expand...

That sounds like my next plan. Anybody know where I can find the turn signal relay on a GS850 so that I can replace it?
 
Woohoo!!! I fixed it!

I solved my first MAJOR bike issue (I am a newbie, I just got my first bike, this GS a year ago). I feel like I need a belt promotion like in karate.

Now let's hope it holds...

I cleaned all of the bulbs, there was some sulfination but not much. For some reason, I had a nagging suspicion that I had some kind of fuse issue. Perhaps bikers have biker's sense like Spider-man has spider sense LOL. I had thought that I'd ruled that out before, but to be thorough I double-checked.

I switched the headlamp fuse with the turn signal fuse and then for some reason... both worked. Perhaps the turn signal fuse was misaligned somehow?

Anyways, it works now. Thanks again for everyone's help. You guys rock.
 
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