[Mark97]

Hi guys.
This is proper doing my head in so hope someone can help..
Turn signals/indicators..
They work fine, I ride for 10 /15mins they stop working altogether. Everytime without fail. Let the bike sit a while, they start working fine again.
It's happened since I owned the bike. 2yrs now, I keep going back to it. Asked the last owner if he had it, his answer was "never really used them...."

I've changed the relay, changed the front indicators, the back is an aftermarket strip. Just indicators no brake light integrated, fitted by the last owner. I did find some dodgy connectors used for this and was sure I cracked it, But sorted them and problem remains...

Next step I'm going to disconnect the rear and try without it or temp mount some to try without that one in the loop...

I initially thought a vibration problem, but if this was the case they would always revert back to working fine..
Only thing I can think consistently changes when riding is temperature. As the relay is behind the rear cylinder.. but it ain't particularly warm here in the UK compared to conditions some of you US guys ride in. And if the positioning posed the problem, I would think it was a common problem with these bikes...

Would love to hear some thoughts. Cheers guys.

 

[Bering_C_Sparky]

That is an odd issue that I have not heard before.
What year is your M109R?
Are the turn signals the only things you are seeing any issue with?

BCS
LGB/FJB

 

[Zoom]

Same here, never heard of that particular problem. So both the front and back and both sides stop working at the same time? To me that kind of points to the turn signal flasher, but you said you changed that.

 

[Mark97]

Thanks for the reply.
Yes turn signals are the only issue.
Its a 2011 bike.
Doesn't make sense to consistently fail and recover does it!

Same here, never heard of that particular problem. So both the front and back and both sides stop working at the same time? To me that kind of points to the turn signal flasher, but you said you changed that.

All stop at the same time yes. No strange flashing Or anything, just don't work anymore.
Changed the relay No difference. Changed it back, same.

 

[BASS 666]

switch ????

 

[Bering_C_Sparky]

Just a thought....
Are your new front turn signals also running lights?
If so do you loose the running lights as well when the indicators go out?
If so that would narrow issue to the source circuit and not the turn signal circuitry itself.
I am not exactly sure where the 12vdc- portion of this circuit orginates, but there is a ground bridge connector under the left side of the tank on the frame rail where a lot of grounds come together.
I have seen this connector start to burn up on more than one occasion.
Have a look at this bridge connector and see if you can see an obvious issue with it.
I think it is a yellow dead end connector and it will have a bunch of black conductors with white tracers going into it.

BCS
LGB/FJB

 

[Mark97]

switch ????

Not looked at the switch tbh. Can't see how this problem could be, worth a look though. Will do.

 

[Mark97]

Just a thought....
Are your new front turn signals also running lights?
If so do you loose the running lights as well when the indicators go out?
If so that would narrow issue to the source circuit and not the turn signal circuitry itself.
I am not exactly sure where the 12vdc- portion of this circuit orginates, but there is a ground bridge connector under the left side of the tank on the frame rail where a lot of grounds come together.
I have seen this connector start to burn up on more than one occasion.
Have a look at this bridge connector and see if you can see an obvious issue with it.
I think it is a yellow dead end connector and it will have a bunch of black conductors with white tracers going into it.

BCS
LGB/FJB

No running lights, I'm in the UK.
I will check the ground connection though. Thanks for the suggestion.
I was going to look for where it goes to ground. Was thinking that wouldn't be a consistent fault source, but if it has a reputation of a problem, worth checking.

 

[Zoom]

No running lights, I'm in the UK.

So your front lights don't stay on when they aren't being used as flashers? Here they are a dual filament bulb and they stay on all the time, with the flashers using the second filament. I know the Euro bikes have the small light under the headlight bulb inside the housing, but I thought they all used the same signals.

 

[Bering_C_Sparky]

So your front lights don't stay on when they aren't being used as flashers? Here they are a dual filament bulb and they stay on all the time, with the flashers using the second filament. I know the Euro bikes have the small light under the headlight bulb inside the housing, but I thought they all used the same signals.

He mentioned in his original post that he changed the front indicators.
The stock front indicators on the Euro M1800 are both running and turn signal, just like the North American Models.

BCS
LGB/FJB

(EDIT) The information I gave in this post is incorrect, the euro models do not have running light/signal combination as pointed out below)

 

[BASS 666]

the euro bikes are indicators only with no daytime running lights ...

 

[Mark97]

So your front lights don't stay on when they aren't being used as flashers? Here they are a dual filament bulb and they stay on all the time, with the flashers using the second filament. I know the Euro bikes have the small light under the headlight bulb inside the housing, but I thought they all used the same signals.

Yeah here inbthe UK we have single filament bulbs that are only used as flashers. We dont have running lights.
As you suggested we have a small bulb in the headlight under the main headlight bulb.

 

[Bering_C_Sparky]

the euro bikes are indicators only with no daytime running lights ...

My bad, I have never had a Euro model up close to put hands on, but would have sworn the wiring schematics for the UK model showed turn as well as running on the front end.
I just pulled the drawings up and do see that I was 100% wrong about my assumption.
Apologies for my having a CNN moment and spreading fake news.
I should have looked to confirm before responding, lesson learned.
I added an edit to my post above.

BCS
LGB/FJB

 

[Joe RC51]

My bad, I have never had a Euro model up close to put hands on, but would have sworn the wiring schematics for the UK model showed turn as well as running on the front end.
I just pulled the drawings up and do see that I was 100% wrong about my assumption.
Apologies for my having a CNN moment and spreading fake news.
I should have looked to confirm before responding, lesson learned.
I added an edit to my post above.

BCS
LGB/FJB

You made a simple mistake , CNN outright lies.

 

[troutwilly]

Reading through all this it sounds like heat is compromising an electrical connection somewhere. It could be where a ground wire is secured or where a wire is crimped in a connector. That bridge connector under the tank sounds suspect as that would definitely be a warm spot, but the signal relay is behind the motor and will get hot too and is in a location that is easier to touch when messing with other wires. Finding a loose screw securing a wire would be the ideal potential solution, but I would check every crimp in the turn signal wiring for loose, frayed, wire at the connectors. Also check the connectors that the blades on the signal relay slide into to make sure they haven't slipped out of location and that they make a sure connection. And don't forget the switch, its part of the circuitry too.

Just thought of another question for you. Are the turn signals failing during use or do you just notice they don't work after riding a while? Activating the circuit will cause wires, connectors, and switches to warm up.

 

[HyperPete]

Hi guys.
This is proper doing my head in so hope someone can help..
Turn signals/indicators..
They work fine, I ride for 10 /15mins they stop working altogether. Everytime without fail. Let the bike sit a while, they start working fine again.
It's happened since I owned the bike. 2yrs now, I keep going back to it. Asked the last owner if he had it, his answer was "never really used them...."

I've changed the relay, changed the front indicators, the back is an aftermarket strip. Just indicators no brake light integrated, fitted by the last owner. I did find some dodgy connectors used for this and was sure I cracked it, But sorted them and problem remains...

Next step I'm going to disconnect the rear and try without it or temp mount some to try without that one in the loop...

I initially thought a vibration problem, but if this was the case they would always revert back to working fine..
Only thing I can think consistently changes when riding is temperature. As the relay is behind the rear cylinder.. but it ain't particularly warm here in the UK compared to conditions some of you US guys ride in. And if the positioning posed the problem, I would think it was a common problem with these bikes...

Would love to hear some thoughts. Cheers guys.

Are they LED bulbs or replacement lights, front or rear? A resistor load balancer may be failing whwn hot. Just my $0.02, YMMV.

 

[Mark97]

Sorry guys, didn't get a notice of more replies!

Heat is my thought. I need to really go over it, but been working away for a while.

They are led replacement lights, front and back. Tried various on the front though.
The new back loses the mounting points so only tried the one.
Never noticed them fail in use. They just don't 'activate' after riding a short while.