turn signal problem

[hammer]

Hi Iam having a problem with my turn signals. While they work and cancel. My problem is when your riding and use the signal the headlight blinks with the flashing of the turn signal,also when you apply the brakes the same thing happens the headlight dims until you release the brakes.It does not matter what speed it does this all the time. I have checked the ground on the bike. The connections are clean and were tight. The alternator checks out fine. I replaced the rectifier and it still does it I am scratching my bald head on this one. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hammer

[skids]

Re: turn signal problem

When the turn signals are lit, is that when your headlight dims? And, is this at low RPMs? You might want to load test the battery to make sure it is good. At low rpms, you really are running off of the battery. Batteries can seem like they are OK when you stick a volt meter to them (with the bike and electrics off), but the volts under load is the real test. Keep in mind also that the black box quits sending spark at something like 10.3 volts. If you get stranded, you might consider pulling the headlight fuse to get the bike home. Now don't I sound like the eternal pessimist? =8-)

[TheDjost]

This is what I would try:

Plug a battery charger on the bike and try the brake. Does the headlight dim?
No=bad battery. Yes=keep going



Measure voltage at headlight with and without brake applied. There should be a voltage drop when the brake light comes on.
Then repeat the measure on BOTH sides of the headlight fuseunder the seat.(make sure you get a good contact on the WIRE, not on the fuse itself) If the drop is still mesurable, but on one side only, the problem is your fusebox. If you can see the drop on both sides, then the problem is the wiring between the fusebox and the battery.

If that's not it try the main fuse. Same principle.

If there is no change in voltage at the fusebox check the wiring between the headlight and fusebox.

Here's the easy way: make sure you have a battery charger plugged on the bike. Then turn on the headlight, and the brakelight and the turn signal(and anything else that causes the headlight to dim) and keep them on for a couple of minutes. Enough current drop to dim the headlight is also enough resistive loss to generate detectable heat. So run your fingers along all the wiring and feel for some heat. This is easier if the bike is cold and parked in the shade. The colder it is the better. The amount of heat can go fron barely noticeable to "oh sh$#%& i burnt myself" so be careful.

If that doesn't work, use the hard(er) way: Poke your multimeter in every connector you can find an try to spot the problem. It can be a connector, a wire or a splice.(Yamaha put a lot of crimped on splices on these bikes, and those have a tendency to go bad if they are exposed to water. I had to redo a lot of them on my bike.)


Hope this helps.


-Justin

[kkrazyt85]

dimming headlight with turn signals

I had the same problem...The PO had installed the wrong 1157 tail lights in the brake light....they weren't 1157 but some other design with a higher wattage...this caused my turn signals not to blink under 3000 rpm with the brake applied and under 2500 rpm the headlight would almost go out with the brakes on...also the headlight dimmed along the with the turn signals flashing....I replace the 2 1157 bulbs in my 81 SH with LED bulbs and the problem went away...not sure if this is your problem or not but you might want to check out all the bulbs for proper wattage ratings and clean connections....the dimming of the headlight is due to voltage drop exceeding the charging systems ability to provide enough current....Mine is a full dress with extra lights on the fairing and running lights...