when i turn blinkers on, ALL lights flash

[blue83ranger]

I'm working on a 1979 XS1100 standard. It has tiny aftermarket blinkers on it and they appear to be hooked up correctly. I currently don't have a battery in it, but just hooking a battery charger to the battery cables with the key on. If i turn either side of the blinkers on every light that's lit on the bike flashes, (both front blinkers, tail light, nuetral and oil light) except the rear blinkers. The rear blinkers never come on. I'm in the middle of tring to figure this out so i didn't get a chance to check the actual bulbs, which i doubt both would be burnt out. and i couldn't find any loose connections. So are there any ideas on what the problem might be? and thanks for any ideas.

[natemoen]

I'm working on a 1979 XS1100 standard. It has tiny aftermarket blinkers on it and they appear to be hooked up correctly. I currently don't have a battery in it, but just hooking a battery charger to the battery cables with the key on. If i turn either side of the blinkers on every light that's lit on the bike flashes, (both front blinkers, tail light, nuetral and oil light) except the rear blinkers. The rear blinkers never come on. I'm in the middle of tring to figure this out so i didn't get a chance to check the actual bulbs, which i doubt both would be burnt out. and i couldn't find any loose connections. So are there any ideas on what the problem might be? and thanks for any ideas.

Sounds like a dreaded case of the PO! Some previous owner had probably totally F'ed your wiring up! You are gonin to have to start tracing circuits.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Swag

Just a SWAG, but try hooking it up to a battery, like jump it from a car that is not running at the time. My lights do some strange stuff when not getting exactly the right current, It won't hurt to try, if it still does the same thing then you have some shorts or PO expert rewireing job to trouble shoot Good luck with your bike

I'm working on a 1979 XS1100 standard. It has tiny aftermarket blinkers on it and they appear to be hooked up correctly. I currently don't have a battery in it, but just hooking a battery charger to the battery cables with the key on. If i turn either side of the blinkers on every light that's lit on the bike flashes, (both front blinkers, tail light, nuetral and oil light) except the rear blinkers. The rear blinkers never come on. I'm in the middle of tring to figure this out so i didn't get a chance to check the actual bulbs, which i doubt both would be burnt out. and i couldn't find any loose connections. So are there any ideas on what the problem might be? and thanks for any ideas.

[blue83ranger]

I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes.

[Lonerider62]

Unfortunately Natemoen is probably right. Depending on what type of signals the PO put on (LED?) he might have been trying to get the things to flash and just started to mess with the wiring, only to give up in the end. You'll definitely need a good wiring diagram and then if I were you, I'd go to every turn signal and trace the wires from each one and compare what they are connected to with what the book says they are supposed to be connected to. The PO might have got a ground/hot crossed up somewhere. The possibilities are darned near endless but you can figure it out as somewhere you're colors ar enot going to match what they should be. You'll also need to check out the flasher and canceling unit. If the PO did put in LED signals, I'd get some regular siganls just so you're not chasing your tail over that issue. A regular turn signal should be about 5 OHM. If everything looks OK then I'd check out the switches or opens or shorts.

[crazy steve]

Make sure the ground connections at the regulator and negative battery cable are good; if either is a poor connection, all the lights blinking like what you have is a classic symptom...

[blue83ranger]

A battery made no difference.
The blinkers on it have normal bulbs in them and it looks like the stock blinkers were on it somewhat recently, there's a rust ring where they were mounted. It looks like the handlebar switch with the blinker controls is pretty new, so i guess the previous guy knew there was a problem and couldn't figure it out, or at least didn't fix it. I also found what turned out to be the 2 wires for the horn taped together. and theres a mounting tab for some electronic thing that's missing. It's located nearest to the handle bars on the frame right under the tank with a 4 wire plug. Also, what is the single fuse holder right below the starter relay for? There's nothing hooked to it. And i found a small green wire that's cut coming out of the starter relay on the same wire going to the starter. I was checking things with an ohm meter and for some reason if i go to ground (on the engine) and each fuse, they are connected. I will check over the grounds and clean them up and let you know how that goes too. While i was checking other things, this time with the blinkers on (not fixed though) the plug for the ignition switch gets a little warm.

[crazy steve]

I also found what turned out to be the 2 wires for the horn taped together.

You should separate those, as that will be a dead short if you push the horn button.

...and theres a mounting tab for some electronic thing that's missing. It's located nearest to the handle bars on the frame right under the tank with a 4 wire plug.

That would be your headlight relay; when connected, this keeps the headlight/instrument lights off until the motor starts. You can bypass this by connecting the red/yellow and blue/black wires together, or just pick up a relay. You'll need the '78-79 style relay, the '80-81 is different and won't plug in.

Also, what is the single fuse holder right below the starter relay for? There's nothing hooked to it. And I found a small green wire that's cut coming out of the starter relay on the same wire going to the starter.

The single fuse holder is for any accessory you might want to hook up. The green wire goes to the TCI and supplies 12V when the starter is engaged. If the bike has had the coils changed out to 3 ohm units, it's not needed.

While i was checking other things, this time with the blinkers on (not fixed though) the plug for the ignition switch gets a little warm.

You've got a bad connection (and this probably isn't the only one). Time to start cleaning all of them....

[crazy steve]

Troubleshooting guide here.....http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33254

[LoHo]

Hey, the hazard flasher switch isn't turned on, is it?

[crazy steve]

Hey, the hazard flasher switch isn't turned on, is it?

'79 standard, so it shouldn't have one.....

[GLoweVA]

Hazard switch

It looks like the handlebar switch with the blinker controls is pretty new

If he's got a different year handlebar switch, then maybe he has a hazard switch.

Get yourself a good wiring diagram for your year bike. Someone out there has a nice color one posted somewhere.

[blue83ranger]

thanks for the link.
I haven't worked on it in a few days but i'll get back to it soon.
The handlebar switch doesn't have a hazard on it. and when i do turn the blinkers on i have to hold the lever over for them to flash.

[crazy steve]

....and when i do turn the blinkers on i have to hold the lever over for them to flash.

Sounds like you may have a wire off at the switch; time to pull the switch and clean/repair...

[blue83ranger]

There's a pretty good chance i found the problem. The flasher on it only has 2 prongs and the harness has 3. I looked one up on ebay and it showes 3. So i'm going to order a new one and see how she acts. I'll report back how it goes.