pissing indicators

billy budge · Post by **billy budge** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:37 pm

Howdy doody all,
Now i know this isnt strictly a trx specific question but i figured what the hell seeing as your all such a lovely bunch of people

Basically my trx is now asleep for the winter and my transalp has come out to play and has developed a fault with the indicators. I recently fitted a race can to the alp that had some welding mods done in situ as the link pipe was too short so the battery was disconnected. when all was done all electrics bar the indicators worked. Checked the bulbs even though all 4 bulbs blowing at once was minimal...no joy. Checked fuses...no, so fitted a new relay thinking it was that and...no!!!

Apart from checking the switch itself is there anything else im missing, if so please please please help me as im tired of dodging death everyday at roundabouts and junctions.
Cheers peoples,
Billy

burty · Post by **burty** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 7:06 pm

Without knowing anything specific about the wiring on the Transalp, and not really knowing what exaclty is the problem (I assume that the indicators don't light up at all even permanently). The most obvious questions are:

1. When you checked the fuses what did you do to check them? Most fuses (particularly blade fuses) can appear intact even after blowing. Check that there is power both sides of the fuse, it sounds obvious but it's a common mistake to make.

2. Is there any possibility that the welding might have upset something, like an earth connection or maybe damaged a wire or part of the loom, or disconnected a connection somewhere? Is the wiring already modified read bodged - always a source of problems.

3. Other than these it's a simple case of checking the circuit through.

billy budge · Post by **billy budge** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:15 pm

Thanks burty sound advice as ever,
I was beginning to think about the earth connections so will check that out.
I also didnt know that about the fuses so will do that too.
From what ive found its still the original loom and has never been touched so bodging is out of the question.
i will try these bits and see what happens,
Cheers mate
Billy

ekoja · Post by **ekoja** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:22 pm

Mate, try the indicator pot itself,

disconnect it and try a different one. (I am assuming you are not reffering to the pot when you talk about the relay)

Waz · Post by **Waz** » Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:48 pm

The basic wiring go's something like this:

Power (battery) to relay (indicator canister)
Relay to switch block
Switch block to indicators/ instrument panel

If nothing works it would be either

Power to the relay/switchblock. If the circuit from the switchblock to the indicators were sus you would get one side working and/or blinking at a faster pace.

Get the trusty multimeter out and trace. Good luck.

HolerTogni · Post by **HolerTogni** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:48 am

Hi Billy,

you could also try and connect a sinlge indicator bulb in its socket via an extra wire
directly with the plus pole of your battery.
Then hopefully the bulb should light.
If not, there is something wrong with the socket (if the bulb is ok),
maybe a missing earth connection.

Then you could connect each component with the battery along the path (as listed by Waz)
stepwise in the direction to the battery (having the indicator switch on)
to find out when the bulb doesn't light anymore.
Then you have the part of the path with the problem.

This could be an alternative if you haven't got a multimeter.

Good luck!

billy budge · Post by **billy budge** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:19 pm

Cheers boys
Looks like the multimeters coming out to play this weekend then!!
Thanks for the advice and i reckon if i put all the ideas together this things as good as solved eh.
Im not sure entirely what is meant by the term pot but the relay that ive changed is under the cockpit fairing if that helps.
Cheers again

Billy

Post by **Kevtrx849** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 7:24 pm

The flasher pot is located in front of the battery next to the starter relay.
A pot is the little black clicker box if thats a help.
CYA, Kev.

billy budge · Post by **billy budge** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:06 pm

Ah ha cheers kev, now im with you!!
Thats quite a good possiblity being so close to the battery and all, will check it out,
God bless you all

Billy

Post by **Max** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:49 am

I think Kev's talking about the location on a TRX, not a Transalp.

When the welding was done, where was the ground clamp placed? I'm wondering if it was hooked up on the subframe near part of the loom and maybe arced through it.

Electricity does take some weired routes at times. My buddy Tetsu was doing a little welding on a swingarm the other day on a bike with a brand new chain on it that was draped over the end of the swingarm (rear wheel removed). When he finished his bead the chain was smoking. All that fresh grease was turning to oil and the entire chain was too hot to touch! He had the ground clamp on the sidestand bracket protruding from the main frame and apparently the circuit went from the bead, into the chain, through the outputshaft sprocket, engine and back into the frame! We guessed swingarm bushings (it was a 50cc bike that probably uses bushings, not bearings) were the insulator.

Post by **Kevtrx849** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:59 pm

Apologies for leading you up the garden path

i thought it was a trx we were talking about. Welding on any vehicle can be disastrous, doesn't do electrical windings much good. Seen a few fried alternators.
CYA, Kev.