Tail Light Indicator Issue

[82Bollan]

Be gentle, I am a new user as I just learned about this site. I did a brief search and did not find anything specific. Excellent site by the way, I am glad to find others with the GS bug.

I have a 1982 GS1100E. The Tail Light Indicator stays on, once in a while, during start up or on long rides it will go out for a brief period of time. I have changed the bulb, check almost all the connections and cannot get it to go off. Recently the Brake Light indicator will go on, seems to come on during riding and will go off when you apply the brakes, eventually comes back on. Are the issues related? Any ideas how to trouble shoot? I am guessing that it may have something to do with the charging and how the signal is set to the tail/brake light and sent back.

Thanks for the info. F

Frustrated.

[bonanzadave]

Frustrated.

Hey Bollan, Welcome to the site and let me tell you that your not the first to ask that question. I got the same indicator issue, Ive asked the question, and have yet to figure it out. I must admit that Im not trying too hard and if I hang around here long enough a guy like you is gonna come along and figure it out for me. :-D

Ive cleaned all the connections in the headlight bucket and changed the bulbs in the tail thinking they might have some higher resistance. I want to run a ground wire from the tail to the - battery to see if that does anything.

I guess someone needs to sit down with the wire diagram and figure it out.....please.

[timebandit 1150e]

Hi Mike! Hope the regulars here can help ya out. Those electrical gremlins can really be hard to diagnose without the bike, but you'll get some valuable imput here. some folks here are with-it! Post up some pics of your bike cause the members here dig clean examples out on the road! Peace, A.J.

[82Bollan]

Yours looks just like mine

I guess to know that I am not the only one makes me feel good. I even have the complete shop manual, but really don't know how to make heads or tails on the electrical side. I am going to run the schematic by someone smarter than me in that regards to see if I can shed some light (no pun intended) on the issue. Of course if I find out anything I will advise, thanks for the reply.

[Steve]

I don't know if the GSs do their fault indicators the way I have seen before, but it CAN get interesting. Typically there is a sensor in the system that detects how much current is being drawn by the circuit. If it is not enough, it means that one or more bulbs have burned out, and this triggers the fault indicator. Usually, this is a solid-state device in a sealed enclosure, so repair might be rather difficult. The best thing to do in the meantime, is to make sure you have the correct bulbs in the sockets. For example, if you switched to LEDs, your fault indicator will light because the LEDs do not draw enough power for the sensor to think there is a bulb in there. Also, make sure that all connections are clean, including the grounds. If that does not work, replacing the control module for the fault lights might be the only option. If the fault light bothers you, and all your lights are working, open the housing and remove the bulb.


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[txironhead]

I've also heard that our bikes don't take the common 1156/1157 bulbs, even though they fit in the socket. Maybe the correct bulb will solve the problem. The only other thing I can think of is a bad ground somewhere, but that's highly unlikely since these bikes NEVER have grounding issues! (insert very large amount of sarcasm)

[82Bollan]

Ground Connections & bulb recommendations

Where are the main grounding points? I know about the one near the battery, can you point me to others? Also, I am using a 1157 bulb, what other would you recommend?

[bonanzadave]

Where are the main grounding points? I know about the one near the battery, can you point me to others? Also, I am using a 1157 bulb, what other would you recommend?

I think I tried the genuine slozuki bulbs about 10 years ago and it made no difference. That sensor thingy has always been of interest. I think its located on the frame above the carbs. Black box about 3x3 (?) held on with a little rubber stretch band. If you have one on that spare silver 1100 swap it out and let us know what happens....

[focus frenzy]

your problem is with the "relay lamp outage warning relay" PN# 38860-49500

like Dave said it is located on the frame backbone above the carbs, it has two plugs going into the end. pull the plugs and check the contacts and make sure they are clean and tight. any corosion on the contacts will screw with that box and you will get false lights.

radio shack sells contact cleaner or tarnex like used for silverware and copper and brass houshold stuff will work.

[Steve]

Then, when the contacts are clean, and the lights are working like they should, take the connectors apart one more time, put some dielectric grease in there to seal the contacts against the elements and put it all back together.


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[bonanzadave]

it has two plugs going into the end.

Two plugs !! Well Ill be go to hellsinki. Ive only seen one. Time to pull the tank. If this works Leon I owe ya beer .......

[bonanzadave]

No Beer for you !!

Well....now what ? I sprayed the snot out of em. Diaelectric greased em. Even pulled the bulbs and cleaned them. It says 1034 on the stp/brk bulb. ? Wish I had another module to swap.

[focus frenzy]

remove the warning bulb and go ride, or order a new control relay, they are available (around $75usd)

[82Bollan]

I have tried cleaning the contacts on the relay (black box on back bone), no luck. I guess the next thing to do is replace. Is there anyway to test using a volt/amp meter?

[bonanzadave]

I have tried cleaning the contacts on the relay (black box on back bone), no luck. I guess the next thing to do is replace. Is there anyway to test using a volt/amp meter?

$40.00