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Testy right turn signal

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wheelbreak
  • Start date Start date
W

Wheelbreak

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My right turn signal only works when it wants to. The left one works fine all of the time. I did the test for the turn signals in my clymer manual and everything seems to be ok. I went to check out the flasher relay and noticed the PO had put a standard two prong flasher in so I tried replacing that, and nothing changed. Any ideas? Is there a particular ground that's known to come loose? Any help in what might be wrong, or ideas on how to figure it out would be appreciated. I have been riding around uninspected, and just want to get this taken care of.
 
Likely a ground wire problem; do you mean the right signalS don't always light up or just don't flash?
 
For the bike in your signature?

Poor ground
Incorrect/intermittent bulb
Weak turn signal flasher
Bad turn signal control unit
 
Ya, The 1979 GS850. I would just tear them off, but you need them in NY
 
Do a search for TSCU.

***Note you have a first generation system.
 
You could try disconnecting the self canceling wires to the speedometer, clean/tighten grounds and shine up bulb and socket contacts, but it will just happen later down the road regardless. I changed mine to a C model detente turn signal. I'm still waiting for rustybronco to come up with a replacement.
 
Robert Barr is a lot further along than I am! Pick on Him. ;)
 
Well the unit in it now is a generic two pronger from autozone. Is there a schematic for the oem one?
 
I use the can type flasher, it is just as good as the stock Suzuki part.
 
Greetings and Salutations!!

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Wheelbreak,

The intermittent blinker issue sounds like something simple, an intermittent connection at a connector, wire, or bulb socket perhaps. Keep checking wires, cleaning connections, get out your multimeter and do some testing.

I replaced my stock flasher unit with an off-the-shelf flasher long ago. The stock units are too expensive when you can buy one for $2-$10 from the auto parts store. If you do have a TSCU (it is responsible for the 'auto-cancel' feature) just disconnect it because replacing the stock flasher unit usually disables this feature anyway. EDIT: See Mr. rustybronco's post about the difference between the '79 and '80+ TSCUs. I apologize for my error.

This is my little story:

Turn Signal Relay Replacement

Now let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'. :D

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.
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If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....
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Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

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Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike! :D

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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Cliff, His bike has the 1st generation turn signal controller on it. The 1st gen systems are unlike the 80 ~up systems. Unplugging the T.S.C.U. will leave the signals completely inoperative.
 
Hi Dale,

rustybronco said:
Cliff, His bike has the 1st generation turn signal controller on it. The 1st gen systems are unlike the 80 ~up systems. Unplugging the T.S.C.U. will leave the signals completely inoperative.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the correction. Noted. :)


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassClif
 
A likely cause is that the signal switch is making a poor connection between the slider contact bar and one of the contact buttons. Pull the signal switch apart and use some crocus cloth or Scotch Brite to clean the contacts.

Sometimes these switches become sloppy due to wear and the switch slider doesn't make contact in both directions. You can check for this issue by manually sliding the contact bar across in both directions before you reinstall the switch into the grip pod. I have seen several old ones lately which were just worn & sloppy or that the selector arm (with knob attached) was bent so that the slider bar in the switch wasn't being moved far enough in the offending direction.

Another possible is that the automatic cancelling module is intermittent. Sometimes cleaning of the external connections and giving a good spray with Fluid Film, LPS, or another wax based corrosion inhibitor can be useful. It requires very little contamination to conduct enough power to cancel the controller and give the impression that the signals are not being switched in one direction.

Warming up the controller can sometimes temporarily solve the problem which serves as an indication that controller module is failing.

I will post a diagram when time allows to replace the early controller with a relay system, unless Rusty Bronco finds time before I do.
 
I had a problem like that on my '79 GS1000E. The left signal wouldn't work at times, at least until I flipped it right until it flashed, then quickly flip back to left. Other times it worked just fine.
Spent alot of time troubleshooting it, wiring, switches, bulbs, etc. etc.
It turned out to be the Turn Signal Control Unit, a very rare commodity these days, still available new for the outrageous price of $337 at Boulevard Suzuki (Item 12 by the way).
http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fich...y=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1978&fveh=2146

Unfortunately, your bike, '79 GS850 uses the same thing.
 
Normk, if you find a way to do it with relays and retain the function of the manual canceling switch, let me know. I could care less about self canceling. The switch setup itself is a very intuitive layout and I would like to put it back in some day. I do not like the detente type switches. There are things you can do to extend the life of the first generation TSCU, but it will always come back to haunt you.
 
I took the switch apart last night. I may do it again today so I can see better. I guess I could manually jump the wires to confirm if it's the switch or not. For some reason I couldn't get the switch test to work last night. Only the manual cancel would show up on the multi meter. I did find a bad ground on the right front blinker bulb socket. I cleaned that up but no dice. This last option is interesting, but according to the drawings there is actually still one flasher with three relays. Where would I get the relays, at an auto parts store or mouser? Has anyone made this system work? If so any pointers before I get my hands dirty? I would love a simpler solution that can be repaired in the future without overly expensive out of production parts. I have heard mention of reverse engineering the TSCU on the site. How is that going? I would be willing to pitch in as far as soldering some stuff up or getting circuit boards prefabbed if the schematics have been figured out. Hell maybe I'll break mine open and have a look around if I get this other method to work.
 
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I think you found the wrong schematic. Unless I'm having a senior moment, I believe the '78/'79 850G had the same first generation TSCU as the GS1000E. There is the just the TSCU and it's epoxy sealed. The stock Suzuki flasher looked like a relay, for mounting on the hook, but is a simple two prong flasher like you have. Cleaning the switch and coating parts in dielectric grease and insuring good ground on the individual turn signals helps, because the flasher has to feel full resistance of both bulbs to heat up the bi-metal strip and start the flashing process.
 
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I was referring to the schematic that rusty bronco posted a link to that bypasses the TSCU.
 
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