SuzukiSavage.com - Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working

HillSavage

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 40

Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
12/23/16 at 18:19:07

Hello All HillSavage Here,
So I bought my first bike and kinda got burned Angry

, but anyways onto fixing the problem. Like the title says horn, turn signals, and running light (headlight/high beam) don't work on my stock 1997 Savage LS 650. When I take the headlight bulb out, the left turn signal works and the right turn signal also works but the left one flashes slightly also. When the bulb is out the horn works pitifully. I removed the gas tank and found on the main connector on the left side of the tank the black wire with grey stripe (ground) was burnt in the harness connector. Tried following the wire around and do not see it frayed anywhere. How should I begin fixing this problem? Undecided

Thanks in advance, nice to meet all of you!

Back to top

IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Online Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28888 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working Reply #1 - 12/23/16 at 19:03:46 removing the HL and regaining functionally is a clue that's where the short is. take the wiring out of the HL, most likely the short is where the wires go into the HL.
Back to top	Versey's Place Tech Section Index IP Logged

HillSavage

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 40

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #2 - 12/23/16 at 19:31:18

verslagen1 wrote on 12/23/16 at 19:03:46:

removing the HL and regaining functionally is a clue that's where the short is.

take the wiring out of the HL, most likely the short is where the wires go into the HL.

What do I look for specifically, frayed or burned wires? Looked at wires and cleaned fittings inside HL, they all looked decent.

Back to top

IP Logged

verslagen1

YaBB Moderator
ModSquad

Online

Where there's a
will, I want to be
in it.

Posts: 28888
L.A. California
Gender: male

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #3 - 12/23/16 at 19:44:20

HillSavage wrote on 12/23/16 at 19:31:18:

verslagen1 wrote on 12/23/16 at 19:03:46:

removing the HL and regaining functionally is a clue that's where the short is.

take the wiring out of the HL, most likely the short is where the wires go into the HL.

What do I look for specifically, frayed or burned wires? Looked at wires and cleaned fittings inside HL, they all looked decent.

The little square window in the back.
pull the wires out and check between them.

Back to top

Versey's Place
Tech Section Index

IP Logged

batman Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 3806 osceola new york Gender:	Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working Reply #4 - 12/23/16 at 21:33:45 Wiring diagrams in the Tech section.
Back to top	my old work mates called me MacGyver IP Logged

Ruttly Serious Thumper Offline Thumpers Rule Posts: 5112 Manteca , CA Gender:	Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working Reply #5 - 12/23/16 at 21:49:10 What you described sounds like a ground issue rather than a short , check all ground connections and/or corroded connectors
Back to top	The Topic Terminator IP Logged

HillSavage YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 40	Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working Reply #6 - 12/23/16 at 23:19:36 Ruttly wrote on 12/23/16 at 21:49:10: What you described sounds like a ground issue rather than a short , check all ground connections and/or corroded connectors Please would you mind explaining to me why you think this? I'm so new to electrical work all information would be greatly appreciated.
Back to top	IP Logged

Steve H

Serious Thumper

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 1223
Spartanburg, SC
Gender: male

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #7 - 12/24/16 at 04:27:00

The two sides of the turn signal system are connected together through the turn signal indicator on the tank. It uses the non-flashing side to ground the small amount of power required to run the indicator. Since your flashing is irratic and you are seeing the other side very dimly flashing, it seems to indicate that the ground that should be there isn't and the power it trying to find ground wherever it can.

Also, you said the ground wire in the harness was burned in the harness connector. It probably isn't providing a very good, if any ground. You might check your main ground behind the engine right near the oil level window. Make sure it is making a good connection. Also check wiring diagram for any other place it goes to the frame and check those locations.

Back to top

87 LS650, 2005 Ninja 250, 2009 Yamaha C3, 2001 Honda Reflex. On 2 wheels since 6/80.

IP Logged

Dave

YaBB Moderator
ModSquad

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 18101
Camp Springs, Kentucky
Gender: male

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #8 - 12/24/16 at 04:35:58

When all three of those things go at the same time.....I suspect it is the orange wire that takes the power up to the left side handlebar electrical control. The orange wire takes the power up to the control....and this control works the horn, headlight and turn signals.

You can take the left control off the handlebar, and test to see if there is any power to it by using a voltmeter or test light .

Back to top

Someday I will be old......But not today!

IP Logged

Ruttly

Serious Thumper

Offline

Thumpers Rule

Posts: 5112
Manteca , CA
Gender: male

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #9 - 12/24/16 at 07:22:14

Hill , Usually when lights have ground issue other lights glow or flash slower or horn is weak.you said things changed when you removed headlight bulb that system looking for a ground anyway it can.
Remember that electricity will always take the path of least resistance , so if one ground goes bad it finds the next easiest path back to ground cause all kind of weird stuff to happen. Ever see a cars turn signals or back up light up when they step on the brakes and their brake lights go dim that's a bad ground. Get a piece of wire and try applying a secondary ground to headlight bulb on the ground terminal and see what happens !

Back to top

The Topic Terminator

IP Logged

1st2know

Senior Member

Offline

Currently between
Savages

Posts: 295
Seattle, WA
Gender: male

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #10 - 12/24/16 at 10:43:07

HillSavage wrote on 12/23/16 at 18:19:07:

Hello All HillSavage Here,
I begin fixing this problem? Undecided

With any electrical problem you should start with these three steps:
1) Make sure the battery is charged.
2) Check the fuses.
3) Clean the battery terminals.

These three steps have fixed many, many electrical problems over the years.

Back to top

Kaw VN1700, V-Strom 650, Coal powered Chevy Spark.

IP Logged

HillSavage

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 40

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #11 - 12/24/16 at 14:43:22

1st2know wrote on 12/24/16 at 10:43:07:

HillSavage wrote on 12/23/16 at 18:19:07:

Hello All HillSavage Here,
I begin fixing this problem? Undecided

With any electrical problem you should start with these three steps:
1) Make sure the battery is charged.
2) Check the fuses.
3) Clean the battery terminals.

These three steps have fixed many, many electrical problems over the years.

Will go through these steps on Monday, I am away from bike for a couple days. Thanks for your input.

Back to top

IP Logged

HAPPYDAN

Senior Member

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 270

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #12 - 12/24/16 at 15:32:06

1st2know wrote on 12/24/16 at 10:43:07:

HillSavage wrote on 12/23/16 at 18:19:07:

Hello All HillSavage Here,
I begin fixing this problem? Undecided

With any electrical problem you should start with these three steps:
1) Make sure the battery is charged.
2) Check the fuses.
3) Clean the battery terminals.

These three steps have fixed many, many electrical problems over the years.

I picked up a 1986 Honda CT110 last summer, bad shape, had been in storage 4 years. Got the mechanicals sorted out, but had similar electrical issues. Went thru all the wiring, no problems. Added distilled water and charged the battery, cleaned the terminals and connectors including the bulb sockets, put it all back together and it worked fine. Try it. Can't hurt.

Back to top

IP Logged

HillSavage

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 40

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #13 - 12/24/16 at 16:13:36

HAPPYDAN wrote on 12/24/16 at 15:32:06:

1st2know wrote on 12/24/16 at 10:43:07:

HillSavage wrote on 12/23/16 at 18:19:07:

Hello All HillSavage Here,
I begin fixing this problem? Undecided

With any electrical problem you should start with these three steps:
1) Make sure the battery is charged.
2) Check the fuses.
3) Clean the battery terminals.

These three steps have fixed many, many electrical problems over the years.

I picked up a 1986 Honda CT110 last summer, bad shape, had been in storage 4 years. Got the mechanicals sorted out, but had similar electrical issues. Went thru all the wiring, no problems. Added distilled water and charged the battery, cleaned the terminals and connectors including the bulb sockets, put it all back together and it worked fine. Try it. Can't hurt.

Would you suggest a wire brush to clean connectors? Any kind in particular?

Back to top

IP Logged

HillSavage

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 40

Re: Headlights, Turn Signals, and Horn Not Working
Reply #14 - 12/24/16 at 16:14:50

Ruttly wrote on 12/24/16 at 07:22:14:

Hill , Usually when lights have ground issue other lights glow or flash slower or horn is weak.you said things changed when you removed headlight bulb that system looking for a ground anyway it can.
Remember that electricity will always take the path of least resistance , so if one ground goes bad it finds the next easiest path back to ground cause all kind of weird stuff to happen. Ever see a cars turn signals or back up light up when they step on the brakes and their brake lights go dim that's a bad ground. Get a piece of wire and try applying a secondary ground to headlight bulb on the ground terminal and see what happens !

Any good links to wiring schematic for '97 LS650?

Back to top

IP Logged