No Left Turn Signals

[BluesBoy]

Hi All,

My 2011 DL650 has suddenly lost both front and rear turn signals on the left hand side only.  

1) Hazard warning and signal switch both light up the right hand side only. I swapped front and rear bulbs from the left to the right just in case but no good.  

2) I see there is only one 15A fuse for all signals and I've taken out the signal relay, stared at it, scratched my head and wondered what to do next. The service manual suggests testing the relay with 12v but I'm not sure how I would do that without buggering it up.  I was thinking of ordering a new relay to rule that out.  Haven't had a chance to find where or how much yet though.

3) I've tried to spot any loose wiring but I have no idea where a loose connection could be that would affect only the left side signals.

4) It did have a major 14.5K service 2 weeks ago (grrrrrr @ the filthy cost,  grrrrr!) so some handy technician might have pinched or snagged something but it only stopped working about 10 days after that service.

Please could someone who understands electrics point me to some other things/places to check?

Cheers,  Dan.

[iansoady]

OK, some things to look for. (These are based on wiring for 2004 model but I suspect it's similar - someone will be along shortly if it isn't).

As the right turn signals are working then power is getting to the switch / flasher unit and the fuse will be OK.

As both front & rear left signals are off then the fault must lie either in the switch or in the wiring from the switch to the point where it splits to front & rear.

The wires from the switch go into the big connector under the LHS of the fairing - this is notorious for getting water in and making bad connections. It's a black wire (why Suzuki use black for this rather than for earth beats me). The front / rear split is shortly after this but I don't know exactly where it is.

Electrics can be frustrating but a systematic approach usually sorts out the problem. A cheap multimeter (< £10 from usual suspects) is a great help.

[greywolf]

The most likely trouble spots look to be a connector on the back of the radiator top shroud and a crimp connector that would be hidden within the wiring loom. Power for the left signals is carried on a black wire.

[BluesBoy]

Thanks for both your replies.   I'll get the cowling off and check the connectors and areas that you mention.

I still don't know what to think about the relay - is that also an all-or-nothing symptom like the fuse.  I.e.  right-hand signal works correctly therefore the relay must be OK?  Googling doesn't show up many clues on that one.  (I've seen a cheap non-OEM relay on amazon for £20 so I'll order that and rule it out.)

Cheers, Dan

[greywolf]

The problem is after the relay because one side works but before the handle switch contacts because the hazards and selector have the problem. It could be the connection inside the housing that splits the light blue wire to each switch. My money is on the connector behind the radiator as the most likely.

[iansoady]

The problem is after the relay because one side works but before the handle switch contacts because the hazards and selector have the problem.

I think it's after the switch otherwise it would appear on both sides. Any problem before it would reflect on both sides. The wiring diagram shows the hazard switch connects into the LHS black wire between the indicator switch and the split.

[greywolf]

Sorry. You are correct. The black wire is the likely culprit somewhere and that is after the switch in the delivery of electrons. I can only plead temporary insanity.

[iansoady]

Don't worry, it happens to all of us. Now where was I.......

[BluesBoy]

I'm still baffled but thanks for your help with this anyway.  I took the cowling off the left side and looked at the big connector block.  All looked good, nothing seemed loose.   Ran out of time to do any more due to bad weather.  Riding in today, it now bloody well works again   , so some helpful gremlin must have fixed it over night.  Hope it stays that way.  I'm thinking of drenching everything in ACF-50 to help rule out moisture in switches and connectors, assuming that's safe to do.

Cheers, Dan.

[iansoady]

ACF50 is fine on electrics.

[greywolf]

ACF-50 can even solve a corroded contact problem.