turn signal control box GS1000

[metalman]

Hello bought a 1978 GS1000E a month ago and been working to make it the beast it once was. Drove two hundred miles to pick up bike "can' tell how bad been wanting another 1000" anyway the bike had a vetter fairing and the PO had the signals gimped up to a toggle switch and two signal flashers. Have removed fairing, bags and such. now have determined that the signal control box is fried. I didn't pay much attention as to how PO had it wired as I wasn't impressed with toggle switch. am looking for a work around to not buy a new one but still have use of turn signal switch on the bars. any help would be greatly appreciated. Found such on Bikecliff's page but for a 850. My control box has two plugs one with 4 wires and one with 6 wires.

 

[Flyboy]

Hi metalman, nice to see you got your thread up and running.
Sorry, I can't help with the work around for the control unit, but never fear, someone will step in shortly with all the information you need, no doubt.

Just about the toggle switches, I would take the handlebar switch off and have a peek in their to make sure everything is ok, there has to be a reason why the PO mounted toggle switches, maybe the handlebar switch is no good, otherwise if it was just an issue with the control unit, he would have just by passed it, I would have thought, worth a look anyway.
Just be careful when you strip it down, it is full of pinggones, you know, little things that go ping and then they are gone.

A popular thing is to strip them inside a ziploc freezer bag, so anything that pings can't escape.

 

[metalman]

Flyboy thanks for the encouragement. Good advice about the handle bar switch, will try that later if all else fails. I forgot to mention the toggle switch was hooked up to a five wire trailer light converter and two signal flashers. When taking the fairing off I ran into such a cobbled up mess of wiring with lamp cord wire, splices black tape well you get the picture. Wanted to put it back closer to stock and ripped all that garbage off with no thought to docoumenting PO'S installation "Me not So Bright " After removal I got everything to light up just not blink. Not now. I did replace the turn signals aftermarket two wire. Inspection of the CU showed rust corsion and a black spot on the circuit board looks like a short between Sb and the diode. think I might take the dremmel and open it up remove rust replace diode throw in trash not sure. Forgot to mention PO ran bike missing rt side cover. Thanks Flyboy I'll get it sooner or later its just one of many problems on a 30+ old Bike. Could have bought something newer just haven't found anything I like as much as the GS 1000. Kickin my butt for selling my last but due to carpal tunnel thought Glory Days were over. Maybe Change my handle to "Bright Star" lol.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like quite the modification the PO did, trailer converter, two flashers?? yikes. I bet it was a bit of a rat's nest in there. Best thing for you to do is just what you've done, get rid of all the 'mods' and get back to stock as close as you can. Make sure you have a wiring diagram to follow and it won't be too difficult. The fact you have all the lights coming on is great, all you need is a working flasher. Good luck with the signal control unit repair, there are very few working units around any more. Basically you just need to bypass the Self canceling/Turn signal control unit with a $2 flasher. Here's a link to one post about it but I'm sure there are more,
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=150145&highlight=signal+control+unit+mod and here's a link to my post about it all on my 79 850 which is basically the same http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=137995
The signal controller on the handle bars can be taken apart and inspected/cleaned easily enough (more "pinggones" in there so watch out) if it is broken beyond repair they're not too hard to find on ebay or you can make another model work with a few changes to the connector. Hope this helps.

 

[metalman]

azr. Thanks for the reply and url's. I do have a set Suzuki factory wiring diagrams and color key code for 1978 and the factory Manual. I was not clear in my wording, The turn signal lights have no power to them. I was hoping to use the signal switch at the bars and still might or figure out the toggle switch roundabout. Don't know yet. The control unit, box is fried. So with trailer converter in hand or a relay work around hope to have signals at some point. if not they will sure make pretty marker lights. In the meantime if someone needs a wiring diagram for a 1978 Suzuki RM50C through GS1000EC I would be glad to email or upload whatever.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like quite the modification the PO did, trailer converter, two flashers?? yikes. I bet it was a bit of a rat's nest in there. Best thing for you to do is just what you've done, get rid of all the 'mods' and get back to stock as close as you can. Make sure you have a wiring diagram to follow and it won't be too difficult. The fact you have all the lights coming on is great, all you need is a working flasher. Good luck with the signal control unit repair, there are very few working units around any more. Basically you just need to bypass the Self canceling/Turn signal control unit with a $2 flasher. Here's a link to one post about it but I'm sure there are more,
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=150145&highlight=signal+control+unit+mod and here's a link to my post about it all on my 79 850 which is basically the same http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=137995
The signal controller on the handle bars can be taken apart and inspected/cleaned easily enough (more "pinggones" in there so watch out) if it is broken beyond repair they're not too hard to find on ebay or you can make another model work with a few changes to the connector. Hope this helps.

Did I read that right? Are you trying to repair that turn signal control unit?
I have 5 bad ones! a couple are completely dead, and some that have other problems with them, but I still don't have one that works completely, the best one I got out of the 5 bad ones is one that flashes OK but doesn't shut off automatically, you have to manually do that, we are talking self-cancelling ones I'm assuming. The GS850G, '79 model I believe has the same sorry turn signal control unit. Still available from Suzuki, but for $300+. Let me know if you need some parts (LOL)

 

[metalman]

Yes you read that right. I was going to try to repair the control unit but it is toast. I'm not saying its impossible to repair but I'd like to be riding sometime this century. This one needs replaced. Yes it is self-cancelling. Not familiar with the GS850G 79 model this one has two plugs a 4 wire B/Bl Lg/B B Lg and one plug 6wire Br/Y B/W Bl/R O/G B/R Lbl . yes I would be interested in the last unit you described that still flashes if its similar . Let me Know and we will work it out. Thanks

 

[Guest]

Here's one on E-bay, but don't get too excited because it's being sold "as is" and states that it's untested, but at least you'll be able to look at it and determine that it is indeed the culprit you're looking for. So far I got 3 from E-bay that didn't work, I got my money back each time, but I would've been happier just getting a control unit that worked.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/suzu...rcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19c224702f

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

GS850 and 1000 relay boxes are the same

 

[metalman]

yes that looks like the same POS . and after studying wiring diagrams today thought they might be same units GS850 and gs1000. Had extra set of lights and batt. on floor today with trailer converter, toggle and all was working. Started to mount on bike but just wasn't happy with toggle switch so spliced into 4 wire plug to use switch on bars things went to s**t in a hurry, So remembered have a similar unit from U-Haul that is sealed in acrylic taken off truck years ago. mounted to bike, signals light but no blink. Think I blew the signal Stats 552's , will find out tomorrow. Should be an inexpensive fix and still use the existing switch on bars. Pays to be a pack rat. Thanks all will reply soon hopefully positive.

 

[Guest]

Yes you read that right. I was going to try to repair the control unit but it is toast. I'm not saying its impossible to repair but I'd like to be riding sometime this century. This one needs replaced. Yes it is self-cancelling. Not familiar with the GS850G 79 model this one has two plugs a 4 wire B/Bl Lg/B B Lg and one plug 6wire Br/Y B/W Bl/R O/G B/R Lbl . yes I would be interested in the last unit you described that still flashes if its similar . Let me Know and we will work it out. Thanks

Sounds like you're into some heavy modifications involving the wiring.
Are you still interested in securing my turn signal control unit that blinks but won't shut off? I'm not looking to make any money here, reimbursement for the postage would be fine. If the one on my bike dies,
I'll just have to resort to using hand signals.
I've been tempted to try to get into the guts of those things. For the ones I have I see no damage to the top of the circuit cards, I do believe there's relays in there somewhere as when I hit the switch I can hear them kick in (unless that's the flasher). I think the relays are either sticking or carboned up. The one I got with my bike actually worked until I gave it it's first wash, then I found the the control unit was not secured to the battery box and was upside down and had filled with water, something must've shorted out. The best I could do with it after that was get it to flash on on left side. My wiring like yours (not as bad though) was all botched up also.
Reading some of your earlier posts, I feel the same way, once you have a GS1000 it's hard to go to another bike, even if it's new. My friends just don't understand that, I should've never let my '78 GS1000E go, I also see were the same age (old) LOL.

 

[metalman]

Sounds like you're into some heavy modifications involving the wiring.
Are you still interested in securing my turn signal control unit that blinks but won't shut off? I'm not looking to make any money here, reimbursement for the postage would be fine. If the one on my bike dies,
I'll just have to resort to using hand signals.
I've been tempted to try to get into the guts of those things. For the ones I have I see no damage to the top of the circuit cards, I do believe there's relays in there somewhere as when I hit the switch I can hear them kick in (unless that's the flasher). I think the relays are either sticking or carboned up. The one I got with my bike actually worked until I gave it it's first wash, then I found the the control unit was not secured to the battery box and was upside down and had filled with water, something must've shorted out. The best I could do with it after that was get it to flash on on left side. My wiring like yours (not as bad though) was all botched up also.
Reading some of your earlier posts, I feel the same way, once you have a GS1000 it's hard to go to another bike, even if it's new. My friends just don't understand that, I should've never let my '78 GS1000E go, I also see were the same age (old) LOL.

Yeah its some heavy mods my back is killing me "WAH" but this is a labor of love and a great learning exp. Am going to hardware store for some diff size shrink tubing and will get back to it. Hope it all works out today as tomorrow will have company for extended visit. Your first reply I thought you were offering a unit and I replied. On another it sounded as I was mistaken so proceeded with not so common repair, Would hate to take your only spare as you might need it in the future. With persistence this may be a very good alternative to the original. Fingers crossed" Your offer is generous to say the least and hopefully I will work this out and not need it. Believe me if it works it will be a clean install not like the PO had. Ray aka metalman

 

[Guest]

Yeah its some heavy mods my back is killing me "WAH" but this is a labor of love and a great learning exp. Am going to hardware store for some diff size shrink tubing and will get back to it. Hope it all works out today as tomorrow will have company for extended visit. Your first reply I thought you were offering a unit and I replied. On another it sounded as I was mistaken so proceeded with not so common repair, Would hate to take your only spare as you might need it in the future. With persistence this may be a very good alternative to the original. Fingers crossed" Your offer is generous to say the least and hopefully I will work this out and not need it. Believe me if it works it will be a clean install not like the PO had. Ray aka metalman

Sorry for the confusion (my fault) but your welcome to it. Actually it's not really a spare, as I would choose to not have working turn signals and use hand signals other then to drive along indefinitely with the turn signals on, sometimes the yellow indicator light on the guages isn't bright enough to notice it flashing when the sun is bright. My offer to you still stands if your project doesn't work out and you want to return it to stock.

 

[metalman]

Much appreciated will let you know. Am now to town and hopefully back to work on bike.

 

[metalman]

Praise the bike gods in the sky and fellow members who said " I knew he could make that work". Now have working blinkers or a reasonable facsimile there of. They are definetly self-cancelling have to hold switch on bar they blink let off switch no blink. Now to make a mounting plate and weather seal, heat shrink all connections and measure tappet shims that came yesterday. A special thank you to all who replied with encouragement and such This is a great site even if I didn't get a noob welcome from BikeCliff. No problem as I've been sucking so much information from his page, I'm thinking I will get a bill. well I"m rambling so once again thanks to one and all. Forgot to mention no toggle switch isint life great!

 

[Guest]

Congratulations! You took the bull by the horns, or should I say the bike by the handlebars. If you would've waited for that control unit, it wouldn't be even in the mail until tomorrow at the earliest, so your way ahead in the game, and you're safer too, as when you let go of the switch it stops flashing, whereas that control unit just keeps on flashing until you press down on the switch. Sounds like you got alot of experience on GS1000's.

 

[Scorpion]

Well could you tell us other members how you fixed it for future repairs?

 

[metalman]

Scorpion. would be happy to share though unfortunately I had to do go to a non-cancelling L/R 3 pole toggle as when I last posted was so excited forgot to check turn signals w/lights on . The signal switch on bars works until the head light is turned on then no go, could be the butcher job PO did to wiring or something I missed. Am studying the wiring diagram but is a little confusing as the PO has all the wires at the head light bucket hacked to hell. will try putting these back per diagram or just clean them up and run the toggle as it is weather resistant and the mounting spot picked looks pretty good and seems user friendly IMO . However received an email from Travis Eckley telling how he fixed his. Am not clear on one detail so will correspond with Travis and decide to stay with what is working now or his method. At the moment its up in the air, one way or another it's going to be a home run. Will reply with more after further correspondence with Travis. If your still interested in details on the current fix with 3 way switch would be happy to reply.

 

[Guest]

That is truly weird. I'm sure you'll get it sorted out with the wiring diagram.

 

[metalman]

sedelen.
Yeah its a strange one all right. I thought it was worked out and so excited forgot to try with the headlights on, must be a wire connection I missed that goes to ground or ? w/headlights on. After posting "fixed" kinda felt like I sh!t in my mess kit. No big deal though, as it will work with a three pole toggle, I have a pretty good looking holder for it that kinda looks like it belongs and found a user friendly mounting place. With wire loom, heat shrink, acrylic and what ever I'm thinking it to be just fine. Although am in touch with Travis Eckley and believe he may have a better workaround. All is not lost this suckers going to work one way or another and still be clean looking. Just too stubborn to not have it any other way and too cheap to pay for used electrical that would lead to circle jerk. Cant justify the price of a new unit if they were to be had. Last thought should have been taking pics from start, little late but taking now.