Signal lights not working. No power to signal light wires.

CDN_Scott

2000 Honda ST1100 not the pan, and no ABS. Canadian bike. Located near Ottawa Ontario Canada.

Hi, I've got a big problem. I had installed some switch back LEDs into my original signal lights and things were fine for about one year. yesterday I had no signal lights and my tail light did not light up (except when I pushed on the brake then it lit up).

I think something shorted. I checked the fuse and its fine. I don't think its the relay because I do not have power to the signal lights.
I checked the power on the signal lights and nothing. Any thoughts? is there another fuse box somewhere on the bike?

Thanks in advance.
 
A couple questions.... you installed switchback LEDs into the front or the rear or both? When you installed the switchbacks, did you use resisitors inline with the stock flasher or did you switch your flasher to an LED compatable one?

When you say your taillight wouldn't light up, did your whole tail assembly go dead (except for brake light)?
 
I installed the switchbacks on the front lights only. Problem is I cut the end of the old connectors off and didn't keep them. so all you can see coming out of the front signal lights to work with are three wires. one is a ground, one is live (or used to be live) and one looks to be for the signal to work. I need two connectors so I can plug them back into the original light sockets. Re inline fuse. An inline fuse came with the original switchback setup. I took it out and all that wiring out so I now have three wires hanging out of the bike frame in need of the female ends so I can plug them into the original light bulb fixtures. Its 5:18am here and I'm heading into work so my replies will be hit and miss today. I appreciate everyones input or where I can get the parts to fix this system back to the original standard.
 
CDN_Scott said:
I installed the switchbacks on the front lights only. Problem is I cut the end of the old connectors off and didn't keep them. so all you can see coming out of the front signal lights to work with are three wires. one is a ground, one is live (or used to be live) and one looks to be for the signal to work. I need two connectors so I can plug them back into the original light sockets. Re inline fuse. An inline fuse came with the original switchback setup. I took it out and all that wiring out so I now have three wires hanging out of the bike frame in need of the female ends so I can plug them into the original light bulb fixtures. Its 5:18am here and I'm heading into work so my replies will be hit and miss today. I appreciate everyones input or where I can get the parts to fix this system back to the original standard.
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If someone can draw out the basic wiring diagram for the signal lights that would be very helpful. maybe I removed too many guts from the switchback as there was an inline fuse there. thanks.
 
CDN_Scott said:
I think something shorted.
Click to expand...
Generally a short results in a blown fuse or baked wires.

CDN_Scott said:
I don't think its the relay because I do not have power to the signal lights.
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Well a relay that doesn't close wouldn't deliver power to the signal lights. It is odd that your signals and tail lights failed. Do you have the front running lights? I'd be looking for a bad/open connection if you're sure the fuses are ok.

CDN_Scott said:
any thoughts on where I can get the female connectors?
Click to expand...
http://www.cycleterminal.com
 
You can get the stock connector here, but would also need the harness plug to fit into it.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/2001/st1100-a/turn-signals

I don't know what kit you are working with, but are you sure the inline fuses are fuses and not resistors? I haven't seen fused switchback kits, but most of them come with inline resistors.

Regardless, if it's taking out your rear taillights, it sounds like a grounding issue.
 
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Fixed the tail lighs. the bulbs were the issue. Thanks
Still no power to either side of the signal lights.

one thing I forgot to mention. ever since I installed the switchbacks (and keep in mind I have removed them now) the signal lights when engaged would signal very quickly almost like they were on red bull. before the signal lights were a slower blink,,,,blink,,,blink.... vs blink.blink.blink.blink.

The male end that holds the bulb and locks into the signal light housing has three pins. The pins are about 8mm deep into the housing.
without having one power lead for each headlight.

I took apart the turn switch to clean it out prior to having these problems. I put everything back together and it seemed to work. I will check the it again.

The diagram is great. I see the entire path.

the bike although a 2000 only has 57,000KM on it. The bike was stored for many years. The wiring harnesses are in great shape.
what else should I check if I shorted the system and the fuses are good?
 
it looks like i need a bullet terminal. are these at Canadian Tire or ??? I'd like to get that solved this weekend :) I need to know what else could have shorted if the fuse is fine and there is still no power. ? Thank you.
 
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You now have the schematic. Buy a cheap DVM if you don't already have one. With the schematic and the DVM and logical troubleshooting, your lights should be working again in about an hour - seriously. Also look for chewed-up wires from a mouse.

BTW, I would recommend that OEM Honda lamps are used for the tail lights and rear turn signals. Those OEM Stanley lamp filaments have extra support compared to other brand lamps - a nice design feature and worth the extra cost, IMHO.
 
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CDN_Scott said:
it looks like i need a bullet terminal. are these at Canadian Tire or ??? I'd like to get that solved this weekend :) I need to know what else could have shorted if the fuse is fine and there is still no power. ? Thank you.
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Yes, Cambodian Tire should have bullet, butt, ring and spade connectors, but nothing more sophisticated than that.
 
The reason the flashers were flashing so fast was they needed a resistor in line. there are kits available when you switch to led turnsignals to resolve the quick flashing issue. Moving forward getting the old system up and running shouldn't be too much of an issue
Princess auto is another resource for connectors as well as heat shrink tubes. If you're going to crimp the connectors I suggest you also purchase a quality crimp tool, also available at Princess Auto. it sells for around $17.
 
CDN_Scott said:
one thing I forgot to mention. ever since I installed the switchbacks (and keep in mind I have removed them now) the signal lights when engaged would signal very quickly almost like they were on red bull. before the signal lights were a slower blink,,,,blink,,,blink.... vs blink.blink.blink.blink.
Click to expand...

The LED bulbs have far less resistance then the incandescents they replaced. The reduced load causes the flashers to flash more rapidly as you discovered. Some people like the faster flash rate some don't. Your preference.

You could put a resistor in line with each LED but it's wasteful and needs wiring in. It's far easier to replace the factory flasher with one compatible with LEDs. Instead of two or four resistors (one for each turn signal bulb you just replace the flasher (50W/6ohm I think is what came with my switchback bulbs).

Something like this is what you need. I don't know if they ship internationally or if there's something available on your side of the pond.
 
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I've ordered four sets of switchbacks over the years for various reasons. None came with fuses but all came with resistors that are meant to be installed in series with the (I suppose) 12+ to flasher lead.

Using these resistors mean the LED bulbs now imposes the same load on the bike's electrical system just to return the flash rate to 'normal'. It also means you now have to cut into the 12+ lead and connect each resistor. One LED plug n play flasher takes care of this handily.
 
Thanks, I stopped at Canadian Tire and have the bullet connectors. I have the crimp kit. I'll give this a try this weekend to get it going.
thanks everyone.
 
okay, got just the signal lights working. there is no constant power to the tail light or the signal lights when they are not switch to blink.
still fast blinking lights. any thoughts?
 
ST Gui said:
I've ordered four sets of switchbacks over the years for various reasons. None came with fuses but all came with resistors that are meant to be installed in series with the (I suppose) 12+ to flasher lead.

Using these resistors mean the LED bulbs now imposes the same load on the bike's electrical system just to return the flash rate to 'normal'. It also means you now have to cut into the 12+ lead and connect each resistor. One LED plug n play flasher takes care of this handily.
Click to expand...

okay, got just the signal lights working. there is no constant power to the tail light or the signal lights when they are not switch to blink.
still fast blinking lights. any thoughts?
 
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