A
Anonymous
Guest
Dear listers,
I have a strange electrical issue on my GS850 that I would like to run by you. The bike is in like new condition (12,000k) and has always been garaged. I ran my problem by a couple of folks on the list privately, and they suggested that I post it here for you all to think about. Here is the jist.
I started having intermittent loss of my turn signals, headlight, and taillight a couple of weeks ago. The problem finally became permanent, and I began to investigate. I finally traced the problem to the relay switch because that is where I could hear a click when I turned on the turn signals yet was not getting power. I tested it first to see if power was getting to the switch, which it was. Then I simply used some wire to bypass the switch to see if that was the problem, and what do you know the headlight and turn signal came right on. So assumed it was the switch.
Now, I do not claim to understand why the lights have anything to do with the turn signals, but on my bike they are obviously linked in some way. It could have something to do with the fact that my bike has Q-switch installed (anybody remeber those?). I went to the suzuki shop to get a new switch, learned of the cost, and immediately wrote to the GSresources. In the meantime, I went to the auto store and bought a 4 dollar flasher switch with the two prongs on it instead of 3 prongs like the suzuki switch. I hooked it up to the connector with the load in the right slot, and the turn signals worked great (although no longer self cancelling). The problem is that I still did not have front and rear lights (tailight still works when braking). It seemed that something was related to the third prong on the suzuki switch. I have no idea what the letters L, C, and B next to each prong on the suzuki switch mean. L is obviously load.
I bought a used but functional switch from our friend Nick, but, after installation, I still had no signals or lights. The switch still clicks when you turn on the signals, so it is getting power. Needless to say, I am baffled and frustrated. I assume my old switch was not the problem, but at least now I have an extra. What in the world could be going on that I am missing? What is happening in that switch that does not happen when it is bypassed, and why does the two prong switch work with the signals but not the lights?
If you or any of you shed any light on this problem, i would certainly appreciate it.
Cheers, kurt
I have a strange electrical issue on my GS850 that I would like to run by you. The bike is in like new condition (12,000k) and has always been garaged. I ran my problem by a couple of folks on the list privately, and they suggested that I post it here for you all to think about. Here is the jist.
I started having intermittent loss of my turn signals, headlight, and taillight a couple of weeks ago. The problem finally became permanent, and I began to investigate. I finally traced the problem to the relay switch because that is where I could hear a click when I turned on the turn signals yet was not getting power. I tested it first to see if power was getting to the switch, which it was. Then I simply used some wire to bypass the switch to see if that was the problem, and what do you know the headlight and turn signal came right on. So assumed it was the switch.
Now, I do not claim to understand why the lights have anything to do with the turn signals, but on my bike they are obviously linked in some way. It could have something to do with the fact that my bike has Q-switch installed (anybody remeber those?). I went to the suzuki shop to get a new switch, learned of the cost, and immediately wrote to the GSresources. In the meantime, I went to the auto store and bought a 4 dollar flasher switch with the two prongs on it instead of 3 prongs like the suzuki switch. I hooked it up to the connector with the load in the right slot, and the turn signals worked great (although no longer self cancelling). The problem is that I still did not have front and rear lights (tailight still works when braking). It seemed that something was related to the third prong on the suzuki switch. I have no idea what the letters L, C, and B next to each prong on the suzuki switch mean. L is obviously load.
I bought a used but functional switch from our friend Nick, but, after installation, I still had no signals or lights. The switch still clicks when you turn on the signals, so it is getting power. Needless to say, I am baffled and frustrated. I assume my old switch was not the problem, but at least now I have an extra. What in the world could be going on that I am missing? What is happening in that switch that does not happen when it is bypassed, and why does the two prong switch work with the signals but not the lights?
If you or any of you shed any light on this problem, i would certainly appreciate it.
Cheers, kurt
