Instrument lights issue - 05 FJR

FJRMGM · Dec 20, 2007

the backlighting on the instrument cluster started flickering a couple of months ago and finally all went out last month.

When I say "flickering" I mean they would come on when I started it and took off but then would flicker as I rode and the dash would go black. Sometimes they would come back on after riding a while. The Turn and lower indicator lights for brights, oil, etc. still worked - just no backlighting.

So, thinking it was the bulbs, I ordered all of them and tore it down to replace them. I couldn't find any that appeared bad so I replaced all the bulbs and started to put it back together and tested before total assembly.

PROBLEM: after replacing all the lights on the cluster all work EXCEPT for the four small ones across the middle that provide the backlight.

I have searched and someone had this problem before but never posted the fix.

In their post someone suggested it was a burned fuse for "SIGNAL". which is confusing because I believe the brake light and backlights are on same circuit. I have checked all the fuses and thought they were all good but will again tonight.

ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT ELSE TO CHECK?

Checkswrecks · Dec 20, 2007

1. Start slowly wiggling wires, especially at relays and connectors, then watch for the flickering. Intermittents can be a *****.

2. Check for a poor common ground.

Rogue · Dec 20, 2007

Check for a broken solder connection, most likely where the wiring harness plugs in.

ionbeam · Dec 20, 2007

There are only two power sources for the actual Meter which resides in the Meter Assembly, The other wires going into the Meter Assembly power specific bulbs such as the neutral light. The Meter power wires are R/W and R/G. The schematic only shows a block for the Meter, no details about what is in the block. The Service manual only shows the major parts to the Meter Assembly and nebulously points to the Assembly and says 9 bulbs.

Since you have some of the lights working and the spedo and tach are working (I believe you would have mentioned it if they weren't) the power sources are most likely good. This leaves you checking conductors and sockets for damage, poor or missing solder, etc. Since the bulbs connect by twisting into the PCB, check your work

For those that have never been inside the Meter Assembly here are two good sets of pictures by [SIZE=10pt]FJRMGM[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt] and [/SIZE][SIZE=10pt]keithaba[/SIZE][SIZE=10pt].[/SIZE]

FJRMGM · Dec 29, 2007

Ahhhh - FOUND THE ELECTRICAL GREMLIN PROBLEM!!

Finally got a warm day where I could take the bike apart to find what was causing the problem.

I looked under the tank and at the front in the "well" just behind the steering stem by the frame rails there are several electrical connections.

One of them was not fully snapped together. The attached picture shows the connection that was loose - I took them apart so they would be easy to see at the pointy end of the screwdriver.

That connector has all the electrical for the dash cluster - it was making enough connection to run most of the stuff in the dash but not the four backlights.

BTW - if that connector is fully disconnected the dash needles will not move and none of the dash lights will light up.

I believe that when my FJR was "de-ticked" two years ago that connection was not fully snapped and it finally worked loose enough to turn the four dash back-lights out.

thanks to all those with suggestions on troubleshooting I now have my dash lights back.