LED Turn Signal Issue

[RustyTank]

Hi folks. I have a 1979 GS850G. I've upgraded all the lighting to LED and I've installed an LED flasher relay. The signals worked fine after installation but just recently they started acting a bit funky. Here's a video I took of the issue, https://photos.app.goo.gl/tnSVP5NqvSkwkbvK9

There are two scenarios,

Scenario 1 is with the headlight turned OFF: Both left and right signals turn ON and blink just fine, but only the left side turns off when pushing down on the signal shut off switch, the right side will not turn off. Note, I can hear a click when the left signal turns off, I assume that's the relay, no click when the right side doesn't turn off.

Scenario 2 is with the headlight turned ON: Same as above description but neither signal turns off.

I took the signal switch housing apart and cleaned all the contacts, so I know it's not that. I'm wondering if it's the relay. Here's the one I've installed, https://www.dimecitycycles.com/replacement-2-prong-flasher-relay.html , it's relatively cheap.

Thought I'd post on here and get the forum's take on what might be goin on with it.

 

[Steve]

The '79s have a signal system that is considerably different than what I am used to on my '80 and '82 bikes here, so I don't have anything to offer that might help.

However, I am curious about the lights that you used. I might have some interesting uses for them, but would like to know the source.

.

 

[RustyTank]

The '79s have a signal system that is considerably different than what I am used to on my '80 and '82 bikes here, so I don't have anything to offer that might help.

However, I am curious about the lights that you used. I might have some interesting uses for them, but would like to know the source.

.

Sure Steve! The turn signals are Morimoto Pindicators. They're pretty cool , super reasonably priced and super bright. I use the amber and white in the front and the dual intensity amber in the rear.

And as far as my situation go's, I hope it's just the relay :topsy_turvy:

 

[Gorminrider]

I doubt it's the relay. It works. I think you have an accidental + feed to it which is pretty common converting old bikes to LEDs. You might need a diode somewhere or just mis-wired...but without a diagram from your setup it's hard to say...and the dash is aftermarket too.

 

[Wingsconsin]

I wouldn't mind another look at the center gauge installation -- GPS Speedo ? Or a tach ?

 

[RustyTank]

I doubt it's the relay. It works. I think you have an accidental + feed to it which is pretty common converting old bikes to LEDs. You might need a diode somewhere or just mis-wired...but without a diagram from your setup it's hard to say...and the dash is aftermarket too.

Thank you for your thoughts Gorminrider. My only issue with what you proposed is that the signals worked fine after they were wired up several months ago. It wasn't until just recently they started not working properly. I'd think if it was an issue of positive voltage going somewhere it shouldn't, then that wouldn't shown up earlier. No? :-k

 

[Rijko]

Not if you have an issue where wires or connectors touch, or cables get pinched.
Or the led relay goes bad for some reason.
Sometimes may take some time to develop this issue.

You have the simple blinking setup, don't you ?
No TSCU or speed related turn off ... just a LED relay, 4 blinkers and the handle bar switch ?

 

[RustyTank]

Not if you have an issue where wires or connectors touch, or cables get pinched.
Or the led relay goes bad for some reason.
Sometimes may take some time to develop this issue.

You have the simple blinking setup, don't you ?
No TSCU or speed related turn off ... just a LED relay, 4 blinkers and the handle bar switch ?

Yea, simple blinking setup. I don't know what TSCU stands for and no, no speed related turn off. Yes, just LED relay, 4 blinkers and the handlebar switch.

 

[Rijko]

ok. Since you already wired the stuff you probably know all this but let me just say it so you get where i come from with the troubleshooting approach ok ?

Everything starts with a 12V feed to the relay.
The relay turns a constant 12V into a intermittent 12V signal.
This "blinking wire" goes to the handlebar switch.
In rest, it stops there.
As soon as you activate L or R, the blinking 12V goes to the blinkers.

Complicating factor is the light in the dash, which may need a diode.
I would disconnect this feed first to simplify things.
Also disconnect the power to the running lights.

Now if you first take the relay out of the equasion.
Disconnect it and send a good 12V to the handlebar.

In this situation, the lights do not blink but if they turn on and off using the handlebar switch you have found the issue. Or at least can see when it returns when you reconnect running lights, dash light and relay. (one at a time)

If not, things are easier to troubleshoot.

 

[RustyTank]

ok. Since you already wired the stuff you probably know all this but let me just say it so you get where i come from with the troubleshooting approach ok ?

Everything starts with a 12V feed to the relay.
The relay turns a constant 12V into a intermittent 12V signal.
This "blinking wire" goes to the handlebar switch.
In rest, it stops there.
As soon as you activate L or R, the blinking 12V goes to the blinkers.

Complicating factor is the light in the dash, which may need a diode.
I would disconnect this feed first to simplify things.
Also disconnect the power to the running lights.

Now if you first take the relay out of the equasion.
Disconnect it and send a good 12V to the handlebar.

In this situation, the lights do not blink but if they turn on and off using the handlebar switch you have found the issue. Or at least can see when it returns when you reconnect running lights, dash light and relay. (one at a time)

If not, things are easier to troubleshoot.

This is great information Rijko. I disconnected the relay last night. The blinkers do NOT turn on with the relay disconnected.

 

[Rijko]

In that case we need the wiring diagram.

There's 12V going into the relay, and another wire goes from the relay to the handlebar switch usually.

After all the blinkers are simple things that need 12V and ground to turn on, so in the end it should be possible to simplify things to that level and expand from there.

You did connect the 12V line going from the relay to the handlebar switch to 12V ?

 

[RustyTank]

In that case we need the wiring diagram.

There's 12V going into the relay, and another wire goes from the relay to the handlebar switch usually.

After all the blinkers are simple things that need 12V and ground to turn on, so in the end it should be possible to simplify things to that level and expand from there.

You did connect the 12V line going from the relay to the handlebar switch to 12V ?

I didn't do the wiring for the new lighting set up. I paid someone I know who does bike and car electrics as a side hustle. I'd bug him to help me out but he's out of town for several weeks. Before I handed the bike over to him I hooked up a different set of led turn signals and they worked just fine. I took off the stock flasher relay and replaced it with the led flasher relay, essentially. I mean, I had to cut old connectors and solder on new ones but you know what I mean.

I'll unhook the gauge, as you'd mentioned, and see if that helps the problem. Also, I'll be getting a new flasher relay by next week, if it doesn't solve the problem I'll know I've got bigger fish to fry. In regard to the wiring diagram, here's the stock 79 GS850G wiring diagram from BassCliff's website. I can take loads of pics too.

 

[RustyTank]

Complicating factor is the light in the dash, which may need a diode.
I would disconnect this feed first to simplify things.
Also disconnect the power to the running lights.

I figured it out! On your suggestion I started pulling connections to see if it made any difference. One of them did. The LED headlight has a halo light feature. It's just somethin I thought was cool and kinda fun. The halo light turns on when the key is turned and power is on, needs constant power and has it's own separate wire. It was plugged into a connector off the stock wiring harness. The red wire that's near my index finger in the pic is the halo light wire, it was connected to the orange and green stripped wire below. I was looking at the annotated wiring diagram (link) from Basscliffs website and there's only one orange and green stripped wire I can find and it connects to the turn signal control unit AND the turn signal relay. No wonder the turn signals were acting wonky. Once I unplugged it the signals worked as they should. I'm wondering if it isn't worth putting a diode in there and seeing if that doesn't solve the problem, get power goin one way straight to the headlight. I don't NEED the halo but I figure what the hell. At the very least it's good practice with wiring.

 

[RustyTank]

I wouldn't mind another look at the center gauge installation -- GPS Speedo ? Or a tach ?

Hey bud. I'd be happy to post pics of my gauge set up but I don't actually have it "SET UP" yet. I have yet to program it and what not. It's an Acewell brand digital speedo/tach. Not gps but it is kind of a cool set up. Once I have it all tidied up I'll post

 

[2BRacing]

I figured it out! On your suggestion I started pulling connections to see if it made any difference. One of them did. The LED headlight has a halo light feature. It's just somethin I thought was cool and kinda fun. The halo light turns on when the key is turned and power is on, needs constant power and has it's own separate wire. It was plugged into a connector off the stock wiring harness. The red wire that's near my index finger in the pic is the halo light wire, it was connected to the orange and green stripped wire below. I was looking at the annotated wiring diagram (link) from Basscliffs website and there's only one orange and green stripped wire I can find and it connects to the turn signal control unit AND the turn signal relay. No wonder the turn signals were acting wonky. Once I unplugged it the signals worked as they should. I'm wondering if it isn't worth putting a diode in there and seeing if that doesn't solve the problem, get power goin one way straight to the headlight. I don't NEED the halo but I figure what the hell. At the very least it's good practice with wiring.

There is a plain brown wire not connected to anything, that can be found in the headlight bucket. It is meant for running lights. Connect the red halo light wire to that brown wire and you should be good to go. You can see the brown wire on the lefthand side of the wiring diagram.

 

[Rijko]

Sorry for the late reaction work got hectic so i really had no time yesterday.
Great you figured it out !!!

 

[Wingsconsin]

Hey bud. I'd be happy to post pics of my gauge set up but I don't actually have it "SET UP" yet. I have yet to program it and what not. It's an Acewell brand digital speedo/tach. Not gps but it is kind of a cool set up. Once I have it all tidied up I'll post

Love to see the mounting process - how you fit it to the looks like a made dash -

No rush -- when ever - Just curious because I am still playing with the idea of GPS Speedo and Electric Tach combination

 

[RustyTank]

There is a plain brown wire not connected to anything, that can be found in the headlight bucket. It is meant for running lights. Connect the red halo light wire to that brown wire and you should be good to go. You can see the brown wire on the lefthand side of the wiring diagram.

Thank you for that helpful info 2BRaicing. It's appreciated.