other lights slightly dimming when hazard lights on

[Fritz]

It was noted at MOT last time (not basis for a fail, just noted) that when hazard warning lights are on the brake light flashes -dims - slightly, not on/off (and in opposition to hazards, I.e. orange flash brake light dims very slightly).

I thought maybe something in wiring at back of bike but having taken it apart seemed fine and I then noticed rest of bike does same - front lights etc.

I guess bad earth...is there a main earth connection I should investigate? It's a 2009 Wee

Any advice welcome before I go to the far end of a fart for a minor issue.

Of course a minor issue can become major and it's a (ahem) fun chance to strip the bike and familiarise myself and develop a list of required tools for travel kit.

Ta 

[Ianmc]

I wouldn’t worry about it.There is a common negative return (earth) wire for the other 4 wires at the rear of the bike.Normally there is only the tail lights on when riding the bike, the stoplights and indicators are only on for a short while so there is no point in fitting a heavy negative return wire.Everything is as small as possible to save money and weight.So when they are on together the small volt drop makes the others dim as the flashers cycle on and off.

[Barbel Mick]

However, if there is corrosion on an earth wire or connection somewhere it could get worse & fail altogether. (probably easier to find the fault then!)
I would definitely have a look at the earth connections. 

[mr_diver]

They all do that sir

[Fritz]

aha - they certainly are titchy wires compared to previous bikes I've owned.

Are there any specific earth points on bike? Back end seems to go through loom.

There must be a heavier duty wire somewhere on system to say frame or engine? Wiring diagram only shows earth symbols from various switches started etc.

Well, on my other and previous bikes there were and it's a good one to know about for checking anyway.

If they all do it it's not a great design philosophy from Suzuki handy in a disco I suppose   

[Gert]

if memory serves, looking in the area from between the right-hand side of the rear wheel and the rear brake lever, look at the underside of the engine, there one can see where the earth / ground cable is bolted to the 1st gen Wee motor.

[kwackboy]

Did the MOT tester have the engine running while he examined your lights ?

[UK_Vstrom650]

My brake lights have always dimmed slightly with the hazard lights on and engine not running.

[mr_diver]

My XJ600n, Varadero and the Gsx14 all do it.

I'm fairly sure the CX500 also did it.

I've seen so many bikes do it over the years... might just be the perception we have of light being super bright and never blinking/dimming  since most are LED these days.

[Fritz]

Well on consensus of opinion I think perhaps there's nothing at fault - not had a bike with hazard warning lights before...hmmmm... bit old school eh 

I had a poke about on right side Gert but couldn't see anything obvious - that said on these new fangeled bikes there's hardly any space for 'obvious' anyway  I'll have another look. My old airhead BMs had the earth there onto an oil-breather (which wasn't a great design detail either as they threaded)

It does same with engine running too - I'm past concern now. I'll continue disassembly reassembly familiarisation exercises keepin eye out for potential problems and get my tool kit built up.

To date it's all pretty tidy and corrosion free.

Kiss of death 

[Gert]

For those that are still in the dark regarding locating the earth cable on the rear underside of the 1st gen Wee engine:

[Fritz]

Thanks Gert - brilliant.

As I couldn't see your picture too clearly on my PC and  following rolling on the floor in the garage I've tweaked the contrast and highlighted the connection if anyone else is in the same position.

Connection looks good to me but I may see if it'll come of easy and if so clean and re-attach.

Thanks Gert 

[UK_Vstrom650]

Let us know how you get on. I was looking at my lights this morning and the brake/side and instrument lights all dim with the hazards being on, even with the engine running (at idle)

[paulja]

4x21w + 55w +5w +5w= 149W/12v= 12amp... unless your 14amp battery is new that is a lot to pull and not affect the main light.  As a side test, just run the left or right indicators and see if the main dims then? This is why LED are a good thing.

[bosnjo]

Speaking about the current drain from the battery, I have my bike maybe overdone. High and Low headlight LED, indicators LED, DRL's LED, rear light LED from factory, licence plate light LED...
Well, only the fuel is unleaded...

[mr_diver]

The OP will have 2 x 55w headlights on the model they have so will be 204w total (without ECU, coils, instruments, heated grips or any other accessories)

The DL650 has a YTX12-BS battery, 10.5Ah
The DL1000 has a YTX14-BS 12.6Ah

Seriously, I worked in a dealers, we PDI'd new bikes and they all had a slight dimming on the rear running light when the indicators/hazards were on.
That's a brand new bike with brand new battery I had just filled.
That's regardless of make unless it was a can-bus system like Ducati and BMW.