Indicators, Horn & Brake Lights

[HockleyBoy]

For the last couple of weeks I have had an intermittent fault with my indicators only functioning when the handlebars are turned either slightly left or right. This morning on the way to work they have failed totally along with the horn and the brake lights.

Given that moving the handlebars was slightly was making them work (and I have also replaced the fuse as a precaution) I assume that the problem is a broken wire or loose connection somewhere. As I am pretty useless on electrical stuff (except the charging system which I have spent a lot of time on!) I wondered if someone clever out there who has a copy of the wiring diagram could point me in the right direction for some fault finding.

Thanks in advance.

[JayDub]

Sounds like a bad earth connection.  Follow the cable from the L/H switch gear, it will lead you to a connector/multi pin plug to the main loom there will probably lie the fault.  Check its tight and check its connections are clean, also make sure the wires are not pinched or damaged.
Look for any broken earth wires - I don't know what colour the earth is on your model.

[HockleyBoy]

Thanks, looks like I have a fun evening ahead!

[Timbox2]

Have a look at the white/green wire from the base of the ignition switch, could be.

[HockleyBoy]

Have a look at the white/green wire from the base of the ignition switch, could be.

And the prize goes to Timbox2. Wire from the ignition switch was severed inside the black casing behind the cable guide. Cleaned it up, added a bit of extra wire and I am back in business.

Thanks guys.

[JayDub]

Have a look at the white/green wire from the base of the ignition switch, could be.

is that a supply to the bar switches Tim?

[Timbox2]

is that a supply to the bar switches Tim?

Not directly no, i think it supplies a feed to the horn, indicator relay and brake light switches, the bar switches themselves complete the earth side when activated, well,  thats what it looks like in the wiring diagram. But I had a vague recollection of someone else having the exact same issue years back, and green/white wire just rang a bell. Its also a reason that the feed wire to the horn is a useful pickup for a switched supply for sat/navs etc, but often overlooked.

[JayDub]

  well done, handy to know.

[ghulst]

Its also a reason that the feed wire to the horn is a useful pickup for a switched supply for sat/navs etc, but often overlooked.

Very useful info that. :)

[tigergotcha]

Had the same syntoms on my bike (horn, brake lights, indicators all suddendly off) and the culprit was the green/white wire inside the ignition switch. Being quite impossible to loose anti-theft bolts I opted to remove the whole upper yoke, switch attached. Easier and doable with  tank on. This post was crucial to help me solving the  problem!

[Timbox2]

Had the same syntoms on my bike (horn, brake lights, indicators all suddendly off) and the culprit was the green/white wire inside the ignition switch. Being quite impossible to loose anti-theft bolts I opted to remove the whole upper yoke, switch attached. Easier and doable with  tank on. This post was crucial to help me solving the  problem!

With most of these bikes approaching 20 years young it wont be the last

[Lee337]

I now have this very same issue, so it seems it's not uncommon. At the moment, a liberal spray of electrical cleaner in to the ignition switch, followed by jiggling the key in the ignition and another liberal spray of ACF50 has done the trick, but I know it's only a matter of time before I have to sort the green/white wire.

As the power in the garage has blown (awaiting an electrician to come out to sort it) I'm going to either wait until it's a little warmer/drier outside where I can see what I'm doing, or get the garage electrics fixed first.

[Sin_Tiger]

It'll depend on the actual unit of course but be aware that "jiggling" the cables might just be a temporary work around as you've suggested. I've had experience on a few and the sad reality is that the switch contacts have suffered the vagaries of age, weather and abuse. Let's be honest, how often have we succumbed to those "Start Ya B'stard" moments and held over the key a bit longer than we should 

Do it before it's too late is the best advice, it might seem a lot of work but I'd say "tigergotcha" did it the best way and probably avoided a lot of additional grief.

[Lee337]

My weekend mission, should i decide to accept it then is to sort out my ignition. if the weather's dry that is, if not, it'll keep for the following weekend.