Indicator issue: advice?

[pr]

Hi all

Tomorrow I will try to sort out my indicators. I noticed the right side isn't working at all, including the dash light. Also with the hazard lights. Left side is fine.

I read some topics already and the best place to start is to check all the connectors, clean them out and some WD40? And I also understood that it often is an evil yellow connector.
Today a toolset arrived, so I can take the fairing off, and if necessary the tank.

What is the best way to start? Especially which connectors are worth to check out first?
It will be the first time I'm taking it apart, so all advice is welcome!

-Paul

[Fat Rat]

Paul,

First things first, do you have a Multmeter? It's pointless stripping the bike before you have established if there is voltage at the indicators.

Bulbs, Fuse, Relay, Switch are the first steps. 

[pr]

Thanks, I have a multimeter. Was planning to check those first

I was afraid that if the dash light also stayed off, the cause could be a bit deeper.

[ProfG]

If you have a probe you can give power to different wires after the connectors to see which connector is faulty or where the fault lies. Multimeter is good for basic troubleshooting and diagnosis but a probe will pinpoint the fault for you. Use them both

[Fat Rat]

A probe for DC?

[ProfG]

Precisely. I use it to pinpoint faults

Automotive probe

[pr]

I don't have such a probe, so I'll  start with the following checks. It stopped raining, so I can start now.

I marked the wires on the diagram that looked relevant. I don't understand how it goes through a fuse?

And how do the connectors look like? I marked 3 things in the picture that I thought are connectors.
Are they easy to find?

[Fat Rat]

Item 2 below is probably the fuse. It does look like a single fuse protects the whole flasher circuit so you need to be looking elsewhere if only one side has failed. Have you checked the bulbs and voltage?





And this shows where the Relay is;

[pr]

The bulbs work. I switched both over to the other side.

Where is best to check the voltage? In one of the connectors? I lifted the fuel tank according to the manual, but it's not easy to find them. So maybe need to proceed and take the tank off.

The colours in the wiring diagram: Lg stands for light green?

[Fat Rat]

The fact you have one side out could point towards the switch on the bars, however, you say that the same symptoms are there when turning on the hazards? If that's the case then probably not the switch.

I don't know how the flasher unit works and whether it's possible for it to fail so that one side doesn't work.

I would normally start at one end and trace the loom, however, because both indicators are out perhaps start at the flasher unit or fuse and seek out the connectors as it's possible a central connector is corroded or there is a break.

I'm not sure it's necessary to lift the tank, all you will see is this (this is your bike);

[Sam]

I had an identical problem a few years back, on my K7 Wee. After much pulling apart & stripping, turned out to be that yellow connector behind the radiator (you need to remove tank & airbox to get at it). But I'd suggest checking the large connector in the lhs front fairing first, just because its much easier to get to!

[Fat Rat]

Sam raises a good suggestion there Paul,

You will lose a little skin but it's possible to get to those connectors by just removing one fairing. If you have to, you can tip the radiator forward (being really careful not to damage it), there are just two bolts (one goes through the lhs fairing) and it slides off.

[Fat Rat]

This is the famous connector on a DL1000, yours is similar in a very similar location.



and this was a problem connector in the loom from the bars into that same central location, again this is on a DL1000 but yours will be similar.

[pr]

OK, I'll give that a go.

Sam, is the lhs connector you're talking about nr 2 in the diagram that I coloured in?

[Fat Rat]

Precisely. I use it to pinpoint faults

Thanks, I ordered one (Paul, this is a great addition to your new toolkit) 

[Fat Rat]

Paul,

In the absence of any test equipment, as well as looking for obvious broken wires and corroded connectors, you might also detect heat either side of a connector (assuming the indicators are left on). This would 'indicate'  resistance in the connector (corrosion).

[Sam]

Not sure which one it is on the diagram.
But you can see it, if you look down the left inside the fairing (look down from the left handlebar area.) Has a rubber boot on it. You can get to it from below without removing anything.

[pr]

How do open the connector?

[Sam]

If I remember correctly, there's usually a clip you push in (possibly with small screwdriver) & then just pull apart.

[ProfG]

Besides the yellow (mine is green) connector that is clipped onto the radiator covering, also check the large connector below the left handlebar as Fatrat said. It is protected by a bell shaped platic cover and is easy to get at. Most problems seem to be connector corrosion related.





And here is the probe being used to pinpoint the fault