Indicator electrical gremlins..

[JohnC]

Hi all, I remember when I took my bike (Z1000A1) off the road a year or so back that when I was out on the last run the right hand indicator stopped flashing. I though it must just have been the flasher relay and ordered up a new one.

I fitted it today along with a new fully charged get battery and now none of the indicators flash, they light up but no flashing. Also I noticed when I switch on the headlamp the brake on indicator lights up. Headlamp works, both dip and high, and the brake light works as it should. Earthing problem?

I remember I had a few problems getting everything working previously as the headlight wiring was like a rats nest. Electrics is my real weak points so any tips on finding a solution, diagrams of what wire shout go where much appreciated!!

My previous experience of electrical repair 'experts' is that they never seem to find a solution and charge you ££££££

Thanks

John

[Pigford]

Probably not your specific issue - BUT - the other day my winkers stopped working, out of the blue?

Turned out (sic) there was a dodgy join in the handlebar switch.... the centre solder joint had broken, so I stripped it down and resoldered it - all good now!

[ZedHead]

It sounds like your wiring is in a bit of a mess. Seek some help if you are not good with electrics. Try contacting Iain Marshall he may know of a member not far from you that can help.

[z1bman]

does it have a halogen headlight ?

[JohnC]

No, just the normal headlight. Yes wiring could be better, it's all original as far as I know so might just be a process of elimination.

[ZedHead]

No, just the normal headlight. Yes wiring could be better, it's all original as far as I know so might just be a process of elimination.

As Pigford suggests the handlebar switch is a good place to start. Take it off and check for corrosion or shorts, bear in mind shorts could be to the bars. Also check any multi-connectors from the switch and around the yoke.

40 year old looms often cause problems, fortunately for your bike they are relatively cheap to replace with modern, reliable wiring.

The preparation manual has a diagram that might help.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kryzwr5to2m4d ... lyprep.pdf

[z1bman]

the main thing to check is the earths as they are all connected together in the main harness & often break with the movement of the harness when turning the handlebars you will need to open up the harness about 10 inches back from where the wiring enters the headlight shell

[Julian_Boolean]

Sounds like a bad earth.

[ADRIAN H]

Always thought the Earth for the handle bar switches was - The Handle Bar itself.

[z1bman]

Always thought the Earth for the handle bar switches was - The Handle Bar itself.

they are but every lamp has its own individual eath

[JohnC]

Thanks all, your comments give me a few things to try, much appreciated.

[moizeau]

Couple of croc clips on a length of wire to test the circuits with an extra earth.

[JohnC]

All sorted now, had to get a local sparky to sort it though, was multiple issues but now fitted with new modern waterproof + idiot proof connectors (cant mix up left and right switches) for the new handle bar switch gear I bought. The switch gear came from the US and was supposed to be a straight fit for the A1 but it had block connectors while the wiring on my bike (US Import) was all bullet connectors. He said the block connectors on the new switch gear were a 'bit cheap'. I'd never have sussed the tail light issue out as he found a tiny faulty broken brass washer behind the tail light bulb spring in the pattern tail light and that was causing it go to earth, plus idiot light was drawing too much current and stealing it from indicators, I doubt I could have diagnosed that and not entirely sure how he rectified it. Very reasonable price as well, he spent about 5 hrs on it and all in £85, he also sorted out a few other wiring issues while he was working on the bike, so would deff recommend him if you have any problems and are in the WC of Scotland, really nice guy as well.

[JohnC]

It sounds like your wiring is in a bit of a mess. Seek some help if you are not good with electrics. Try contacting Iain Marshall he may know of a member not far from you that can help.

He blanked me, but no worries.

[z1bman]

all the uk z1000a1's had bullet connectors on the handlebar switches as the wiring was routed through the handlebars