Turn Signal Problems

[Guest]

83 GS1100E - turn signals work, but opposite side signals blink lightly when signal is on. Is that a wiring problem?

[tom203]

Check bulb wattage, stock setup likes a certain wattage to be happy!

[ShadowFocus603]

I had this same issue on my 750L and it was the small indicator bulb in the cluster shorted out and feeding power to both sides regardless of which side was on. That doesn't apply here though since the 750L has a single indicator bulb whereas the 1100e has individual indicators in the cluster for each side. I'd say pull your headlight and look for wires that may be contacting other wires (bare wire to bare wire or bare metal connector etc). If all looks good there I'd take apart your switch and give it a good cleaning. Word of warning. Small parts and springs that WILL disappear unless you open it up inside a pillowcase or large ziplock bag etc are contained within. make sure there is no corrosion on the slider of the switch or on the contact rails the slider moves over. It's safe to assume your flasher relay is good since it feeds just the switch itself and your blinkers do work. Assuming your switch is good and the problem persists go over the rest of the wires for the signals starting in the rear and moving forwards. Look for pinched or frayed wires that me be arcing and sending current to opposite side blinkers. You can also narrow the problem by disconnecting the rear signals and seeing if just the fronts work correctly and vice versa. This will give you an idea which end of the bike to focus on if it is wiring related.

[markwh]

83 GS1100E - turn signals work, but opposite side signals blink lightly when signal is on. Is that a wiring problem?

Forgot to mention - only front blinks both signals.

[tom203]

Forgot to mention - only front blinks both signals.

So you mean that only the front signal blinks - does back signal come on but not blink? Or not come on?

[markwh]

All turn signals work, but front ones blink both sides. turn on left one, it blinks normally, but right one blinks also not as bright though. same with other side

[Steve]

Check your bulbs, compare them with the sockets. Sounds like you have dual-filament bulbs in single-filament sockets or the other way around.

My guess is that you have dual-filament sockets, as the 1100 had 'running lights', which is the lower-intensity filament in an 1157 bulb. If you have 1156 bulbs (single-filament), you might be shorting across the two contacts in the socket, making for some strange stuff.

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[markwh]

Bulbs & sockets all match. Still blinking on opposite side, though. Dual filament up front, single in the back. Is that the normal setup - do you know

[Steve]

Yes, that is normal. The lower-intensity filament up front as "position" lights and the higher-intensity are, of course, the turn signals. The rear lights only function as turn signals, so only need the single filament.

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[markwh]

Any idea why opposite turn signals blink. not as bright, but blinking

[posplayr]

What is in common that should not be? Check turn indicator switch. It must be lighting Both sides.

[Cyrano]

Just to clarify a couple of points here...

Are your 'running lights' (the low intensity lights) working?

Are they normally on?

Are they the same brightness?

It sounds to me mile the wiring has been cross wired. I don't have a lot of experience with these dual filments on the front, but I will have by the end of today.

[markwh]

Running lights are working, same brightness. Turn signal's on, opposite side running light blinks, although not as bright. Headlight blinks also.

[Steve]

When you say the lights "blink", do you mean a full ON and OFF or do they dim a little when the light on the other side comes on?

If the engine is not running (or running at idle), there will be a momentary dimming of all lights when a turn signal or brake light comes on. Running the engine at a speed sufficient to provide the necessary current, or using jumper cables to another battery (not in a running car) should minimize that dimming.

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[markwh]

Yes, they dim a little when other signal is on. Bike was running, warmed up & idling. Still does it.