Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
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- Wildebeest
- Despatch Rider
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:46 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Main bike: Suzuki GN 250
Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
Hi there
This is my second post - first one being the greeting thingy - and, yeah... I seem to have a bit of an issue.
My indicators are going haywire. My bike was in storage for a year, so I've done the standard back on the road things: recharged the battery, exchanged oil and filters etc.
I've noticed that both my left and right hand side indicators are flashing way too fast. All the bulbs are brand new, and are both front and back were lighting up. My friend told me that it is probably caused by a busted relay, so I ordered it online. I'm still waiting for it. There is another development unfortunately, namely my back right indicator refuses to work. I have put the bulb in another indicator, and it is fine. I have also cleaned the connection (mushroom thing inside the indicator itself) as well, but still nothing. All the wires seem to be intact.
My question is: Is it possible for a busted relay to both cause the indicators to go crazy fast, and also preventing one of the lights to work.
Cheers
Mike
This is my second post - first one being the greeting thingy - and, yeah... I seem to have a bit of an issue.
My indicators are going haywire. My bike was in storage for a year, so I've done the standard back on the road things: recharged the battery, exchanged oil and filters etc.
I've noticed that both my left and right hand side indicators are flashing way too fast. All the bulbs are brand new, and are both front and back were lighting up. My friend told me that it is probably caused by a busted relay, so I ordered it online. I'm still waiting for it. There is another development unfortunately, namely my back right indicator refuses to work. I have put the bulb in another indicator, and it is fine. I have also cleaned the connection (mushroom thing inside the indicator itself) as well, but still nothing. All the wires seem to be intact.
My question is: Is it possible for a busted relay to both cause the indicators to go crazy fast, and also preventing one of the lights to work.
Cheers
Mike
- BikerGran
- Gran Turismo
- Posts: 3924
- Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:12 pm
- Location: Any further south and I'd fall off!
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
In my experience, absolutely anything is possible with indicators. It probably is the relay but if that doesn't fix it, it could be an earthing problem. Check the nut/bolt/whatever that holds the indicators to the frame cos that's where they earth. Don't just check, if they're reasonably easy to reach undo and clean up around them and do up again.
The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.
- Wildebeest
- Despatch Rider
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:46 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Main bike: Suzuki GN 250
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
I really do hope it is just the relay. It would be an easy fix for me than. I'm not too skilled.
- BikerGran
- Gran Turismo
- Posts: 3924
- Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:12 pm
- Location: Any further south and I'd fall off!
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
The only way to learn is to have a go! I'm not skilled, and I don't ride any more because of age and arthritis, but when I had bikes I did most of my own maintenance. I had biking friends I could go to for advice and help if necessary. Have you not been riding long?
The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.
- mangocrazy
- Admin
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- Location: Sheffield, UK
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
I'd definitely check out all the earth points and connections in the indicator circuit. A bad earth is simply the number one electrical problem with older bikes (and cars). Clean up all the bullet connectors and all the bulb holders and check where any wires are connected to earth.
- Wildebeest
- Despatch Rider
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:46 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Main bike: Suzuki GN 250
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
@BikerGran
I had a bit of a break from riding due to cash problems. My girl was sitting in my mate's gaf. I know the mechanical part of maintenance, but electrics always seemed like black magic for me.
@mangocrazy
Bullet connectors checked and cleaned up. It's like you're saying, it probably is bad earth. I have a new relay coming from wemoto anyway, since I ordered it last thursday. I really hope it will be just that. Wires do not like my touch.
I had a bit of a break from riding due to cash problems. My girl was sitting in my mate's gaf. I know the mechanical part of maintenance, but electrics always seemed like black magic for me.
@mangocrazy
Bullet connectors checked and cleaned up. It's like you're saying, it probably is bad earth. I have a new relay coming from wemoto anyway, since I ordered it last thursday. I really hope it will be just that. Wires do not like my touch.
- Wildebeest
- Despatch Rider
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:46 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Main bike: Suzuki GN 250
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
So relay has been exchanged. That helped with flashing too fast,but rear indicator was still dead.
So I have checked all the wires. There were three points, that were not secured enough, so I used my thermal shrink connectors to put them back in order. Still no change.
And then I looked under the seat... That indicator slipped out of the plug...
Why didn't I check that in the first place? I didn't know that there was a plug
So I have checked all the wires. There were three points, that were not secured enough, so I used my thermal shrink connectors to put them back in order. Still no change.
And then I looked under the seat... That indicator slipped out of the plug...
Why didn't I check that in the first place? I didn't know that there was a plug
- katie1
- Clubman Racer
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- Location: Oxfordshire
- Main bike: S1000RR, 1290 SDGT
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
Love those 'kill switch' moments
Remember, when you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It is only painful for others.
The same applies when you are stupid.
The same applies when you are stupid.
- BikerGran
- Gran Turismo
- Posts: 3924
- Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2006 5:12 pm
- Location: Any further south and I'd fall off!
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
Ah, I forgot to say the most important thing that I usually start with
"Always check the simplest things first"
Sorry about that!
At least it's not difficult to fix and not going to cost you money!
"Always check the simplest things first"
Sorry about that!
At least it's not difficult to fix and not going to cost you money!
The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.
- mangocrazy
- Admin
- Posts: 3910
- Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:24 pm
- Location: Sheffield, UK
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
Glad you got there in the end. We've all had those "d'uh" moments...
- Wildebeest
- Despatch Rider
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:46 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Main bike: Suzuki GN 250
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
In my case it was more like Homer Simpson style "D'OH!"
Join me in the next episode of my less than amazing adventures in the world of amateur motorcycle maintenance, when I will try to exchange an old rear brake switch, since the current one is not turning off properly.
Join me in the next episode of my less than amazing adventures in the world of amateur motorcycle maintenance, when I will try to exchange an old rear brake switch, since the current one is not turning off properly.
- katie1
- Clubman Racer
- Posts: 299
- Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2016 9:08 am
- Location: Oxfordshire
- Main bike: S1000RR, 1290 SDGT
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
Remember, when you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It is only painful for others.
The same applies when you are stupid.
The same applies when you are stupid.
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
ACF 50 is fantastic at rejuvenating electrical components
Some of its applications are listed as ' avionic components, micro switches PC boards rheostats/ circuit boards '
Some of its applications are listed as ' avionic components, micro switches PC boards rheostats/ circuit boards '
Cleverly disguised as an adult !
- Wildebeest
- Despatch Rider
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2020 5:46 pm
- Location: Liverpool
- Main bike: Suzuki GN 250
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
Ummm... Yeah... Well...
I just binned the old switch, and put a new one in. After trying to stab myself with the guide spring.
I didn't know, that they are hard-wired into the electric system.
I just binned the old switch, and put a new one in. After trying to stab myself with the guide spring.
I didn't know, that they are hard-wired into the electric system.
Re: Suzuki GN 250 - indicators going insane
It's all a learning curve !
Long nosed pliers are an essential when playing with fiddly springs like that, injuring digits is not fun.
A multi meter is a must for electrical problems, you can trace where you have power and where you don't, if you don't have power is it a blown fuse ?
Wouldn't be the first time someone spent hours tracing circuits, checking switches only to find they forgot to put the fuse back in
Long nosed pliers are an essential when playing with fiddly springs like that, injuring digits is not fun.
A multi meter is a must for electrical problems, you can trace where you have power and where you don't, if you don't have power is it a blown fuse ?
Wouldn't be the first time someone spent hours tracing circuits, checking switches only to find they forgot to put the fuse back in
Cleverly disguised as an adult !