SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Blinker not working after fork seal change
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1189671000

Message started by islandwahine on 09/13/07 at 01:10:00

Title: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/13/07 at 01:10:00

I'm at a loss!
My left turn signal does not want to blink anymore.
I had a heck of a time getting the screw out of the turn signal neck that time I was changing the oil and seals in the forks.
I actually had to drill a bigger hole in the screw head, and used the Dremell to change the screw head from a size 2 philips into a #3 philips.
So you think I might have killed something in there? if so I wonder what? The rear turn signal works fine, so I don't think it's the flasher. And no it's not the light bulb either, just bought 4 new ones (just in case one of the new ones was broke.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by T-Mack1 on 09/13/07 at 03:11:45

Check screw lenght.

When I was playing with mounts for my luggage rack I used a slighty longer S.S. screw in the rear mount. It pinched the wire (also left). When I replace with original screw the signals worked again. (yea, I know, I have to take it apart and seal the nicked wire....winter project....).

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by SavageDude on 09/13/07 at 07:22:08

Check light bult socket for sign of corrorision and electrical wires' condition. Huhm, "salt air on an island" might have someting to do w/t corrosion.

Happy tinkering
Timbo

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by Savage_Rob on 09/13/07 at 07:35:59

I'd definitely look for broken or pinched wiring if it worked before you did your fork seals and not afterward.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by Savage_Greg on 09/13/07 at 07:42:31

T-Mack1 wrote:

That was my first thought too, but why did you have to loosen that phillips screw when you really needed to loosen the small hex bolt to slide the whole thing off the fork tube anyway?

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/13/07 at 10:15:40

Savage_Greg wrote:

That was my first thought too, but why did you have to loosen that phillips screw when you really needed to loosen the small hex bolt to slide the whole thing off the fork tube anyway?

Well, because I was a dumbass and didn't look properly as to which screw to undo!
And once I started and ended up shredding the screw's head I figured I'd better fix it before it went back on the frame, cause then it would have been harder to reach.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/13/07 at 10:18:34

T-Mack1 wrote:

I think you might be right, I couldn't find a screw the right length and ended up using a little longer screw, but used a washer with it, guess washer was not fat enough!

It doesn't look like I have a lot of room to work with though, the turnsignal post does not pull out very far!!

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by Savage_Greg on 09/13/07 at 10:27:52

islandwahine wrote:

Spoken like a true mechanic!

Actually, my left front signal has one of those screws. I had tried to use an impactor to get it loose, but it just rounded...

I decided that someday I'll just chuck them for aftermarket versions anyway. I need to match my rear ones.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by Max_Morley on 09/13/07 at 11:15:28

Here we go again, Max thinks it might be the handling during the process broke the bulb filament. It is easy to access by removing the 2 screws that hold the lends on and seing if one of the filaments is broken visually. Next step would require a meter and that is to check for continunity with it across each contact to the case, however a new bulb is cheaper than the meter. # 1157 may even be one in the your work area if you look as it is a common 12 stop or turn/tail lamp bulb. Max

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/13/07 at 11:31:36

Max_Morley wrote:

Max! Grumble grumble grumble! >:( (LOL)
I made sure to mention in my 1st post that I even purchase 4 new bulbs and it still did not work!
So there you go! No need for go again!

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/13/07 at 11:36:54

Please forgive Max, he read that you BOUGHT 4 new bulbs, he just dint do the mental work to visualize you as you installed a new one, too. Its all good..

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by Max_Morley on 09/13/07 at 15:29:00

Max did not reread the first post and apologizes profusely for that error. Thanks for suggesting that having new bulbs meant they were installed. Max wrote a response on how to test the light socket with a test light and it diappeared. Let me know if you want it rekeyed or already know how to use the test light. Also is yours an S-40, if so process mioght have to be different than the LS650 models. Max

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/13/07 at 15:45:09

Justin thanks Max for his sense of humor ;D
ang generally being such a good sport.. some folks just make life better.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by thumperclone on 09/13/07 at 18:36:30

just the blinker not working but the marker is?

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by Savage_Greg on 09/13/07 at 21:56:10

Max_Morley wrote:

Written for Max, and signed by Max.

Got it.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by Savage_Greg on 09/13/07 at 21:59:30

Hey everyone...he does mention that he might have pinched the wire when he replaced the screw....I think that he got it :P

If not, replace the battery.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/14/07 at 00:29:04

thumperclone wrote:

just the blinker not working but the marker is?

YEP!

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/14/07 at 00:32:36

Max_Morley wrote:

I have an LS650.
What is a test light?
The permanent light is on, that works ok, just the blinker doesn't work.
Both both rear blinkers work!
I'll work on it this weekend. I've got to finish upholstering the couch and seats from hell. Deadline is tomorrow 3PM.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by SavageDude on 09/14/07 at 14:20:28

I believe you use the test light to see if your wiring is conducting electric current (juice) when you activate your blinker switch. If you have current go thorough the wiring, then the problem is NOT your wire. Otherwise you know you have wire problem. Have you try out different light bulbs? From what you state, you might have to trace the wire all the way back to the blinker control module to see their conditions. It could be internal problem :-[ of the module.

Good luck troubleshooting.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/14/07 at 16:01:40

A test light has a nice sharp tip & a graound with a small lamp in the handle. You can hunt voltage on a wire down the length of the wire. You can trace the wire that goes to the turn signal, between the flasher unit 7 the lamp socket 7 SEE if there is a pulsing voltage on the wire. If so, you trace the wire toward the lamp socket. Lets say you could actually get your hands on the whole length of wire & that there were several connections on the wire, down the length. You go to the end, NO Desired Voltage, then, go to the source, IF you have the desired output at the source( turn signal flasher unit) then, go half way toward the lamp & check, No signal? Go half way back toward the source, signal> Go back 1/2 wat the other way, called the half split method, it makes tracing a loss of signal somewhat more scientific & supposedly, less hair pullingly frustrating. Make sure your test lamp has a long enough lead(5 feet is good stuff, 3 is okay), a good ground clamp, not some pukey little "Roach Clip" looking piece O poo, and a good sharp probe.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by thumperclone on 09/14/07 at 16:57:09

islandwahine wrote:

YEP!

now you have 2 wires of three that are good!!!those SHOULD BE b/w = common/ground/neg ,gray = marker lights .black is whats left??suzuki ran black to both front sigs some years dont know your year...

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/14/07 at 19:57:37

Mine is a '99. But now I pretty much know which color wire is the one I need to check.
I'll go see if the hardware store has a test light. If not Radio Shack probably does.
Thanks for the info. :-*

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by thumperclone on 09/14/07 at 20:02:12

;)

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/14/07 at 20:07:27

What? No Snap On Tool trucks? Mac? Cornwell?

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/14/07 at 22:50:25

justin_o_guy2 wrote:

What? No Snap On Tool trucks? Mac? Cornwell?

What is a snap on tool truck?

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/14/07 at 23:56:19

Here in the states, tool trucks travel to industry locations, car dealerships, mechanic shops, even bike stealerships&, bodyshops, oilfield service companies, places where people use tools, & sell tools to the workers at their jobsite. Snap on is a brand name, a rather pricey one at that. Mac & Matco & Cornwell are brand names also. Like Craftsman from Sears.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/15/07 at 02:53:27

Cool!
We have a Sears too here, and a Home Depot came last year, and quite recently a Cosco. I waited a while before going there, I heard there were more people on opening day then fit in the Home Depot and Cosco parking lots together.
It was the highlight of island life LOL!

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/15/07 at 19:18:43

thumperclone wrote:

now you have 2 wires of three that are good!!!those SHOULD BE b/w = common/ground/neg ,gray = marker lights .black is whats left??suzuki ran black to both front sigs some years dont know your year...

It's a black wire in the left turn signal, and a green in the right turn signal.
It was indeed a spliced wire.
So now while I have it all opened up I'm also installing the beeper I got from JC Whitney.
It says to connect the red wires to the blinker wire, which I did, but then it says to connect the black wire to the negative on the battery or on the chassis.
Do they mean just anywhere on the frame??
Can I just use the ground wire in the turn signal wiring??

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by T-Mack1 on 09/15/07 at 19:20:28

Ground wire from turn signal is fine.

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/15/07 at 19:29:38

T-Mack1 wrote:

Ground wire from turn signal is fine.

THANK you!!!!!!!
Did not feel like taking seat off, and battery cover and hose so I can reach the negative battery screw!

Title: Re: Blinker not working after fork seal change
Post by islandwahine on 09/16/07 at 10:39:26

T-Mack1 wrote:

Turns out the wire was totally severed! But NOT where I put the screw in, but further forward in the area where it just entered the headlight bucket. I guess removing the forks and hanging the blinker up higher with a zip tie must have pulled the severed strands apart.