Testy right turn signal

[Guest]

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.

[tom203]

Likely a ground wire problem; do you mean the right signalS don't always light up or just don't flash?

[Wheelbreak]

They work perfect..... just some of the time.

[rustybronco]

For the bike in your signature?

Poor ground
Incorrect/intermittent bulb
Weak turn signal flasher
Bad turn signal control unit

[Wheelbreak]

Ya, The 1979 GS850. I would just tear them off, but you need them in NY

[rustybronco]

Do a search for TSCU.

***Note you have a first generation system.

[OldVet66]

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.

[rustybronco]

Robert Barr is a lot further along than I am! Pick on Him.

[Wheelbreak]

Well the unit in it now is a generic two pronger from autozone. Is there a schematic for the oem one?

[OldVet66]

I use the can type flasher, it is just as good as the stock Suzuki part.

[BassCliff]

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

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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!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[rustybronco]

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.

[BassCliff]

Hi Dale,

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.

Thanks for the correction. Noted.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassClif

[Normk]

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.

[sedelen]

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/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=95430&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1978&fveh=2146

Unfortunately, your bike, '79 GS850 uses the same thing.