Ground spider issue? maybe?

[kleake]

I am not sure if this is a symptom of a ground spider, or just typical, but I have an 08AE, and have been noticing that when my blinker is on, the fuel pump changes tone to the blink, and I have noticed the other turn signal will dim as the other brightens. Basically it looks like when A blinker is on, it is loading the system,,,,,, or the battery is weak. I don't "think" the battery is weak as it cranks plenty fast, and all else seems good. I have looked thru some (alot) of the ground spider threads, but I don't remember seeing anything about the turn signals. I have also ordered some ground spider wires from Art. Does this sound like a ground spider issue, or just typical small wiring issues in general?

 

[SLK50]

You may indeed be right but it sounds like a battery issue to me.

 

[mcatrophy]

I am not sure if this is a symptom of a ground spider, or just typical, but I have an 08AE, and have been noticing that when my blinker is on, the fuel pump changes tone to the blink, and I have noticed the other turn signal will dim as the other brightens. Basically it looks like when A blinker is on, it is loading the system,,,,,, or the battery is weak. I don't "think" the battery is weak as it cranks plenty fast, and all else seems good. I have looked thru some (alot) of the ground spider threads, but I don't remember seeing anything about the turn signals. I have also ordered some ground spider wires from Art. Does this sound like a ground spider issue, or just typical small wiring issues in general?

Before going into panic mode, try holding the engine rpm at 2000, see if it still does it. The charging system can barely maintain the battery at idle, the indicator lamps take significant current.

 

[road runner]

I am not sure if this is a symptom of a ground spider, or just typical, but I have an 08AE, and have been noticing that when my blinker is on, the fuel pump changes tone to the blink, and I have noticed the other turn signal will dim as the other brightens. Basically it looks like when A blinker is on, it is loading the system,,,,,, or the battery is weak. I don't "think" the battery is weak as it cranks plenty fast, and all else seems good. I have looked thru some (alot) of the ground spider threads, but I don't remember seeing anything about the turn signals. I have also ordered some ground spider wires from Art. Does this sound like a ground spider issue, or just typical small wiring issues in general?

Before going into panic mode, try holding the engine rpm at 2000, see if it still does it. The charging system can barely maintain the battery at idle, the indicator lamps take significant current.

+1

 

[JamesK]

Depending on which spider is failing, you will get both blinkers coming on, mine did...

 

[fjr mississippi]

My 07 does the same thing, this is normal to hear the fuel pump change tone with increased electrical load.

Its only noticeable because its an intermittent load.

 

[kleake]

I'll do some testing, but I figure the harness won't hurt either way. It will be interesting to see how it will effect it. I have thought about switching to LED lights as well, just haven't found the ones I like. I will report what I find out.

 

[kleake]

I installed the roadrunner harness's the other day, and while I don't notice the fuel pump speed changing as much, the lights seem to be the same. All connections were tight and clean, so likely it is the battery getting a little weak, or just the wiring going to the lights. Either way, but installing the harness's I likely saved myself from a spider bite. Now we will see what Yamaha plans to do about these...

 

[HotRodZilla]

How is what you described in any way related to a spider bite. It's normal on every FJR in existence. I love how we make problems where problems don't exist.

 

[kleake]

How is what you described in any way related to a spider bite. It's normal on every FJR in existence. I love how we make problems where problems don't exist.

Notice in the title I put a "maybe?"... I don't remember my fuel pump, or other lights dimming with my turn signals until recently, so I was questioning that if the ground spiders were starting to corrode and build resistance into them, "could" it cause this issue? As it turns out, it is likely not a spider issue at all, and just small wiring that creates the "normal" dimming of others lights and such while the turn signals are used. I added Road Runner's harness for two reasons,,,, #1 being preventative maintainance to eliminate future issues and #2 to try and minimize the effects of the turn signals dimming my other lights and making the fuel pump fluctuate so much. So, I wasn't making a problem where one didn't exist, I was only questioning the operation of the bike so as to not be ignorant of something that might leave me stranded on the side of the road.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Does the relay keep the lights from dimming and the pump from doing the hi-low thing? How often do you run your blinkers with your bike off?

 

[RadioHowie]

How is what you described in any way related to a spider bite. It's normal on every FJR in existence. I love how we make problems where problems don't exist.

Damn, but ain't you been grumpy lately.....

 

[kleake]

Does the relay keep the lights from dimming and the pump from doing the hi-low thing? How often do you run your blinkers with your bike off?

The harness I added doesn't have a relay, just adds an additional path to ground. Why the question about how often I run the blinkers with the bike off? The harness I installed did appear to "help" a little bit with the load and I don't notice the fuel pump fluctuating as much, but the turn signals still dim somewhat. The issue I am seeing is while setting at a light at idle with a turn signal on, and doesn't completely go away if I bring the rpm's up a little. I have inspected the grounds, and installed the harness, so I'll chalk it up as normal with the load of the blinker bulbs.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Does the relay keep the lights from dimming and the pump from doing the hi-low thing? How often do you run your blinkers with your bike off?

The harness I added doesn't have a relay, just adds an additional path to ground. Why the question about how often I run the blinkers with the bike off? The harness I installed did appear to "help" a little bit with the load and I don't notice the fuel pump fluctuating as much, but the turn signals still dim somewhat. The issue I am seeing is while setting at a light at idle with a turn signal on, and doesn't completely go away if I bring the rpm's up a little. I have inspected the grounds, and installed the harness, so I'll chalk it up as normal with the load of the blinker bulbs.

The question about running the blinkers was a serious one. I hadn't gone back to read the original thread and didn't realize this was happening at idle. NOW I get it.

Gotta say, I haven't experienced that with my bike while its running. If I accidently leave my blinker on and then turn the key to start the bike, I instantly know the blinker is on because I can hear the pump surging.

 

[kleake]

The question about running the blinkers was a serious one. I hadn't gone back to read the original thread and didn't realize this was happening at idle. NOW I get it.

Gotta say, I haven't experienced that with my bike while its running. If I accidently leave my blinker on and then turn the key to start the bike, I instantly know the blinker is on because I can hear the pump surging.

Sorry about that, I should have clarified it better in the first post. I can't say I have tried it with the engine off, but I would expect a little fluctuation then. It definitely is less noticable with the harness installed, so there is a definite load on those grounds.