electrical problem

[qjt18]

my trun signals dont work, im curently in the process of convreting my bike from a F to an E. i just bought front turn signals and put them on and they dont work, nor do the rear. when i hit the turnsignal switch they all blink for a second then go out.

[starwalt]

This sounds like a classic TSR - Turn Signal Relay - problem.

If you are certain that no wiring mistakes have been made, just replace the Turn Signal Relay as a test.
The TSR is on the right side of the bike between the Reg/Rectifier and the Side Stand Relay.

Another possibility, though remote, is that the battery is run down sufficiently to prevent normal operation.
The turn signal circuit is very current dependent and this is the source of problems when people convert to LED indicators.

If you are electrically inclined, here is my simplified turn signal schematic.

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge it.

[qjt18]

well i switched back to the stock ones and they work just fine, so does that mean my battery is being rundown? if so is there any was i can fix it.

[werase643]

are you using aftermarket/led or stock turn sigs

[mjn12]

If the stock ones work normally then I would assume that the problem is the bulbs, not the battery. If the new ones are LED then you might need a resistor to make up for the reduced current draw when compared to the old incandescent bulbs that were in there.  If they're not LED's then maybe check the wattage on the bulbs?

I don't remember what the wattage of the stock bulbs are  but its stamped on the base of mine.  If the wattage of the two bulbs is different it would mean youre drawing a different amount of current which would cause the circuit to malfuntion since the relays are current dependant.

Im just guessing so take it for what its worth, but its what I would try.

[hmmmnz]

if you are using leds you will have to use either relays to bring the resistance back up to the normal resistance
or get one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/MOTRAX-ACUMEN-LED-MINI-INDICATOR-RELAY-FREEPOST-UK_W0QQitemZ250034794224QQihZ015QQcategoryZ25643QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
you'll find cheaper ones about than this one, just have a look on some of your american bike part sites.
ok your normal turn signals draw 21watts each bulb
using v=ir and p=vi  or P = I² × R or  R = P/I²... so we know p=21 and v = 12 so,  p/v=i... 21/12=1.75 amps..  so using R = P/I²..... so R=21/1.75².. R=21/3.0625 R=6.85ohms
easy aye you dont have to get an exact resistor they arn't exact any way but you can actually get 6.8ohm resistors,
hope thats not to tech and helps a bit

[werase643]

or you just buy the cheap autozone/advance auto electronic relay for 8 bucks....if it is the led's

[John Bates]

my trun signals dont work, im curently in the process of convreting my bike from a F to an E. i just bought front turn signals and put them on and they dont work, nor do the rear. when i hit the turnsignal switch they all blink for a second then go out.

Did you buy turnsignals with bulbs or LEDs?

It sounds like LEDs but please confirm.

[qjt18]

yeah there leds

[hmmmnz]

by far the easiest route is gunna be the electronic turn signal relay as opposed to resistors
good luck

[John Bates]

yeah there leds

There are two problems when substituting with LEDs (where the LEDs are not designed as direct replacements for incandescent bulbs).

1. The resistance of the bulbs/LEDs determines the flash rate. Since incandescent bulbs have a different resistance than LEDs, the flash rates will differ.

The el-12 variable load flasher may fix this.

2. For the stock GS500 all four turn signals carry current at the same time because the ground for the indicator lamp is through the other set of turn signal bulbs. (If you have the left turn signal switch on, then the ground for the indicator lamp is through the right turn signal bulbs.) The current through the indicator lamp is to low to light the normal turn signal bulbs, but enough to light the LEDs.  That's why all four LEDs will light at the same time.

The solution for this is to add two diodes to the turn signal circuit.
See customdynamics for the location of the diodes in the circuit.