Odd electrical/light problem

I was out riding today and one of the lads following me commented that my indicators were behaving funny. He said he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but that they were definately different to how they were last weekend. He thought they seemed to be pulsing (IE fading in and out) rather than distinctly flashing between on and off. I went and had a look, but didn't really notice anything odd. On closer inspection though, I did notice that when the indicators were on (same effect on either side), the top 3/4 leds of both sides of the rear lights (K4 model bike) were quickly flickering, so fast that they just seemed a bit dimmer than the lower ones. I gave the bike a service yesterday, but can't recall doing anything that might have effected the electrics. The indicators are standard ones and are all working/behaving the same.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[northwind]

What sort of indicators is it?

Originally Posted by northwind

What sort of indicators is it?

Do you mean what type of indicator? Bog standard official OE Suzuki ones. The front RHS one has been replaced (twice), but always with another OE one.

[northwind]

Ah, I see- I thought you had LED indicators, I'd misread.

[muzikill]

Try taking the battery out and run it through a optimizer/maintainence charge, stick it back in and see if it goes away.

Had the same problem with the rear led lights and it was the battery being a baw hair away from being discharged. i must have been topping it up just and no more all the time i was commuting.

If not have you changed the bulbs recently? are they the right ones?

Originally Posted by muzikill

Try taking the battery out and run it through a optimizer/maintainence charge, stick it back in and see if it goes away.

Had the same problem with the rear led lights and it was the battery being a baw hair away from being discharged. i must have been topping it up just and no more all the time i was commuting.

If not have you changed the bulbs recently? are they the right ones?

Bike gets a good run regularly (recently an avg. of 450 miles a week), but I'll connect my battery up to my optimate to see how it's condition is. I am about to wire in my GPS, so think I'd best make sure the battery is charging okay before I put any more demands on it.

I was thinking about fitting new bulbs (they're due doing) but hadn't gotten round to it. I'll make sure I fit the right sort though.

Ta for the suggestions. Any other ideas?

If it was a car I would say it sounds like a "bad earth". Best suggestion I can give is to make sure all the wee connectors under the pilion seat, and for the front indicators are clean and tight. Also check the batery terminals are nice and clean and tight. (Smear a wee drop grease or vasalene over them when your done). The negative battery terminal will have a few cables terminating into it. Make sure they are all secure. Same again for the flasher relay...minus the grease!

Is everything else working OK?

Originally Posted by Philbo

If it was a car I would say it sounds like a "bad earth". Best suggestion I can give is to make sure all the wee connectors under the pilion seat, and for the front indicators are clean and tight. Also check the batery terminals are nice and clean and tight. (Smear a wee drop grease or vasalene over them when your done). The negative battery terminal will have a few cables terminating into it. Make sure they are all secure. Same again for the flasher relay...minus the grease!

Is everything else working OK?

Yesp everything else is okay. Thinking about it, it could be the pillion seat connectors- my scottoiler lube tube got stuck on them and might have pulled them loose when I took it out (I remember it catching) when I did the service. Thanks!

Mine is doing exactly the same only noticed it when it came to the MOT. I blagged it saying the battery was on it's way out and brought a new one. However, it's made no difference (top three L.E.D's on each strip reacting when the indicator come on).
It can't be the earth because only one lead comes out of the unit and all the LED's would dip. I spoke to a local Suzuki dealer and they reckon it'll need a new rear light unit, for £90!!!!!! Don't think it's fixable as the unit is sealed. Needless to say mine is still like it!

Might be an idea for all you k3 onwards riders to check yours see if it's more common than we realise?

Originally Posted by leesvee

Mine is doing exactly the same only noticed it when it came to the MOT. I blagged it saying the battery was on it's way out and brought a new one. However, it's made no difference (top three L.E.D's on each strip reacting when the indicator come on).
It can't be the earth because only one lead comes out of the unit and all the LED's would dip. I spoke to a local Suzuki dealer and they reckon it'll need a new rear light unit, for £90!!!!!! Don't think it's fixable as the unit is sealed. Needless to say mine is still like it!

Might be an idea for all you k3 onwards riders to check yours see if it's more common than we realise?

plus 1

I'm having the same problem also, so annoying, but then i just forget it and ride instead