Turn Signal Relay Going Bad?

[SockMonkey]

I noted during a recent pre-ride power-on running lights and turn signal check that when the left turn signal is selected, the front right running light/turn signal lightly flashes out of sync with the left (and vice versa when the right turn signal is selected). Given that this pre-ride power-on check was conducted immediately following re-installing the lower cowlings, my immediate question are/were 1) "has the bike always done this but I've just never noticed" (very possible :glare: ), 2) "did I unintentionally fux up the electrical system while working on the bike", and 3) "is the turn signal relay going **** up"..? (As an aside, the "lightly flashes" symptom looks more like a voltage drop state than a voltage increase state.)

To aide me in my trouble shooting, could someone go out, turn on their bike's ignition and check their front turn signals to see whether you observe the same thing? If you come back and verify that this is the way that it is, then awesome - one less thing to worry about. If it's not, well hello my good friends Mr. Probe and Mr. Meter.

Thanks in advance..!

 

[BkrK12]

Your post doesn't specify "engine running" so that's the way I checked mine - key on, engine not running. It does what you are describing. I assume it has something to do with power draw. FWIW, I think relays either work or don't work, they don't degrade. Hope that helps.

Dan

 

[bramfrank]

I assume that 'flashing' means that it is dimming slightly, not actually going fully off. Does it do it as much with the engine running? Your battery may be aging.

But this is also typical of the type of issue with wiring that is too thin and the voltage sags due to current draw.

Depending on just how much the voltage sags it could also be indicative of the first stages of a spider bite - if there is too much loss through the grounding system the voltage will drop more than you might otherwise notice - the headlight modulator on my machine causes/caused the running lights to wink in reverse to the modulation.

I would take a closer look at your spiders and if they show signs of heating, would report same to the authorities - if the machine has YES, and if they indeed do exhibit the early stages of the disease I would contact the dealer and have him order in a replacement power harness at Yamaha's expense as a stopgap and (of course) file a report with the relevant authorities.

 

[FJRay]

classic symptoms of a bad ground.

 

[BkrK12]

Generally, I agree with you about it typically being a grounding issue. However, my bike has a brand new Yamaha harness attached to a brand new Brodie harness and a battery that is about 8 months old and checks out as excellent. When I check it out with ignition on and engine not running it acts the same way as SockMonkey's. I suspect it's a function of the circuit design and no electricity being generated by the bike.

OTOH, I just went out to the garage and tried it with the engine running - it does the same thing. It just appears more faintly. Something else interesting about Yamaha's electrical circuit design.

Dan

 

[SockMonkey]

Thanks for the feedback, folks! I think the conclusion is that that's the way it is. I think another conclusion that can be drawn is that it's a poor circuit design. Understandable if this were a 20+ year old bike, but one would think that there'd be considerably more isolation on the turn signal circuit on a modern bike. Well, 1 niggle down, a few more to go...

 

[RadioHowie]

FWIW, and NOT to create another Gen I vs. Gen II pissing point, I just conducted a "motor-off" duplicate of Sockmonkey's test and did NOT notice any flashing of one side's turn signal when the other side was activated, and based on the VERY small sample of tests run, Sockmonkey's and BkrK12's, I'd have to assume it's a Gen II "thing".

Need more test points run on Gen Is and Gen IIs to determine a generational oddity.

 

[wfooshee]

Well, since it's now a Big Question, I checked mine, and with motor off, the opposite light does indeed dim slightly as the selected side illuminates the second filamint. It's much less pronounced with motor running at idle, and does not occur with any RPMs to speak of going on.

Motor off, the voltmeter drops a tenth of a volt when the turn signal flashes. I think I'll call that a voltage drop, what with it being measured and instrumented and all . . .

 

[dcarver]

I'd go and look but my FJR is busy at the moment.

SockMonkey, when are you going to fold and drink the high dollar kool-aid?

..you know you want too...

 

[SockMonkey]

I'd go and look but my FJR is busy at the moment.

SockMonkey, when are you going to fold and drink the high dollar kool-aid?

..you know you want too...

High dollar kool-aid... You mean like a Beat My Wiener 1600 Gotta Take a Loan? Yeah... no. I'm holding out for the Gen II Stelvio with the 32 liter tank. Seriously (And in an effort to derail my own thread, Ash on Bikes: MG Stelvio Review) It's being released here Q4 this year.

 

[SockMonkey]

Update: To satisfy my own curiosity, I used the opportunity of having the tank and tupperware off this weekend for maintenance to go on Spider Patrol. I believe I can safely say that there are no worries there and I can eliminate grounding as a culprit for the running light dimming when the opposing turn signal is activated. The Spiders are all still clean, bright and shiny. No indication of excessive heat or corrosion.

I think it's just a crappy circuit design...

 

[wfooshee]

Not a crappy design per se, just low voltage at idle. Low enough to dim the other light. Only so many amps to go around to so many things, and bright bulbs are selfish in their needs.

You want crappy circuits, work on a '60s British roadster sometime. Or maybe RadioHowie can tell you about Fiats, too.

 

[RadioHowie]

.....Or maybe RadioHowie can tell you about Fiats, too.

Holy crap a shiver just went up my spine!!!

I had both an MGB GT AND a Fiat 124 Spider....Magnet Marelli can take Lucas Electronics in the "I Ain't Worth A ****" department.

 

[kaitsdad]

.....Or maybe RadioHowie can tell you about Fiats, too.

Holy crap a shiver just went up my spine!!!

I had both an MGB GT AND a Fiat 124 Spider....Magnet Marelli can take Lucas Electronics in the "I Ain't Worth A ****" department.

63 MG Magnette here - such fun.