Right turn inop usually?

[slyone]

Hi, I have a 79' 850 in great shape but the right turn doesn't work 80% of the time? I even tried repeatedly and then it "usually works". The left works flawlessly and I have no other electrical issues what so ever...
except the tach doesn't seem to respond much either? not even sure if thats electrical or mechanical though??

[sedelen]

I'm thinking you're talking about your turn signals.
Unfortunately you have one of the first generation turn signal control units (TSCU's). Those I have found to be very unreliable.
I have one also that has the same problem with the left side. I fixed the problem by replacing the unit. Out of 20 I have gotten through various sources only one worked completely, and when I say completely I mean both sides flashed and it self cancelled.
Those are still available new at Suzuki, but the price is $328 and change plus shipping. Item 26.

http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=95127&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1979&fveh=2141

They do occaisionally show up on E-bay most likely listed as CDI's or Ignitors. Of course, few work from all the ones I got there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130741442006?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Short of replacing it, you can modify the wiring.
Perhaps someone will chime in here for that, should you decide to go that route.

[slyone]

wow..not good parts are so freakin expensive too! maybe this winter I'll take it apart and see if I can fix it??

[Allie]

Are those self canceling? I didn't realize they were available in '79... you snobby 850 owners get all the neat doodads! My right turn signal has been intermittent before but it was due to corrosion at the signal contacts. If you have a switch that is corroded, electronics cleaner such as Radio Shack's 'tuner cleaner' often works and leaves behind a lubricating film.

[sedelen]

wow..not good parts are so freakin expensive too! maybe this winter I'll take it apart and see if I can fix it??

Good luck with that, those units do have a cover that will let you get to two coils and part of a printed circuit card. The rest is epoxy podded.
I would, since your's is intermittant, clean all the connections for all the signal wiring, a high resistance contact may be the problem.
If that doesn't work, it's time to replace the unit or modify the wiring.

[sedelen]

Are those self canceling? I didn't realize they were available in '79... you snobby 850 owners get all the neat doodads! My right turn signal has been intermittent before but it was due to corrosion at the signal contacts. If you have a switch that is corroded, electronics cleaner such as Radio Shack's 'tuner cleaner' often works and leaves behind a lubricating film.

'79 GS850G's and '78 GS1000E's, '79 GS1000E/L's all had that first generation TSCU. The '80 year models produced a much more reliable TSCU.
This be what the first generation TSCU culprit looked like.

[spchips]

If you're good with wiring intuition, you can replace it with 1 or 2 modern flasher units instead. However you will lose the auto cancel function. If you use 1 flasher, you have to put it before the signal switch on the power lead to the switch. After is simpler, just put one on each wire that goes from the switch to the left and right.

[sedelen]

Does your unit self cancel or do you have to manually stop it from flashing?

[slyone]

Hi and Thanks for all the good know-how! Yes mine has the self cancelling...in fact, it seems kinda crappy because the turn signal cancels to soon..I think! Hell, it easier to drive my truck while texting while drinking a coffee going driving thru a busy intersection with construction while it's raining outside then using these turn signals

P.S. so it may be that module that's bad? I didn't realize and assumed it was inside the switch on the handlebars...?

[Redman]

.....
....P.S. so it may be that module that's bad? I didn't realize and assumed it was inside the switch on the handlebars...?

Could be module (that year known to be unreliable).
But problem could also be the swtich on handle bar.
Soome time when push switch and it doesnt go, try wiggling the swtich some more and see if that makes it go. If so then can suspect the swtich more. Maybe try some contact cleaner spray in there. IF take the handlebar unit apart, be ready to catch some parts falling out. If loose them or if cant get back together, or parts fall out because they were broke anyway, you will be looking for new handlebar swtich unit, which might fix your problem.

.

[Allie]

Hell, it easier to drive my truck while texting while drinking a coffee going driving thru a busy intersection with construction while it's raining outside then using these turn signals

I think it's even easier to do that than to say it.

[sedelen]

Hi and Thanks for all the good know-how! Yes mine has the self cancelling...in fact, it seems kinda crappy because the turn signal cancels to soon..I think! Hell, it easier to drive my truck while texting while drinking a coffee going driving thru a busy intersection with construction while it's raining outside then using these turn signals

P.S. so it may be that module that's bad? I didn't realize and assumed it was inside the switch on the handlebars...?

I'd put my money on the module being bad, but go ahead you might get lucky and just find a dirty corroded loose high resistance connection somewhere's, or bad ground.

[Normk]

I worked up a wiring configuration to replace my bad module and can help if you wish to do one for yourself. It was posted in another thread a week or two ago.

Mine uses the original switches which was necessary to retain collector status. It does not automatic cancel but I'm not feeling that I miss the feature. If that feeling develops a timer and trigger off the reed switch is possible.

My system uses two signal flashers and two relays, one flasher & relay for each side. The original switch is used to activate its relay which "latches" (stays on) until power is cut to the relay. A third relay (normally closed) is used to power the other two, allowing the handlebar cancel switch to open this relay which shuts off the flashing.

A diode was added to each side's relay in order to allow the signal relays to be interconnected so that each will cancel the other.

The system works exactly as does the original, excepting that it does not auto cancel.

When yours malfunctions to one side, try to get the bar switch apart and use a jumper to connect the center signal switch contact to each of the side ones to see if that makes it work. If it works when the switch is jumpered, you may have a dirty contact problem or the signal lever may be too sloppy. Mine would start working again by the time I got the bar switch apart to check, just to be really annoying, so it took some time before it could be caught in the act in order to eliminate the switch as a cuprit.

I used "Bed of Nails" jumpers to allow jumpering the direction wires at the module to eliminate the possiblity of a wiring issue but no joy so worked out the circuit.

As I said, willing to help by walking you through wiring up the system if that would help. You will need two normally open relays, plus one normally closed one. I recommend Bosch type relays as they are a standard item and so replacment is easy to find. One can buy off EBay or other sites complete with mounting socket which is better than using individual spade lug connectors. Two diodes capable of a couple of amps are the other items. That with some wire, and soldering.

[twotimeGSr]

I feel your pain. My 79 850 turning signals also have issues. My LEFT almost never comes on when I just pull the lever to the left... however if I push it RIGHT first to activate the right signal..then pull left it always comes on.... and self cancels after a while. The Right works flawlessly. So I just push Right then Left for a left turn.

[cowboyup3371]

I had a similar problem to that Twotime until I realized the screw holding down the lever worked itself loose. Might want to tear apart your left handle switch and look at it.