/6 turn indicator on dim all the time? what the heck? help please! - Page 3

ignatz72 · 01-16-2013, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disston

It's starting to look like the only suspect. I've never had this problem. Do you think it is possible to take the relay apart and clean/fix it? I have cleaned the contacts in other relays but the turn signal relay on Airheads are not a normal type, are they?

A /6 relay is a three/four pronged affair in the bucket, right? If so, I'd imagine taking it apart to inspect should be easy enough.

However, I just replaced my dead starter relay (on a GS) which I opened up to inspect. It looked assembly line new inside, yet it was dead. So don't count on internal appearance as a factor in whether it needs replacing.

I would recommend stock parts when troubleshooting electrical issues, since getting a relay substitute that isn't 100% right could lead you astray if it still doesn't work! But SHEESH, that relay is pricey!

craydds · 01-16-2013, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ignatz72

I would recommend stock parts when troubleshooting electrical issues, since getting a relay substitute that isn't 100% right could lead you astray if it still doesn't work! But SHEESH, that relay is pricey!

+ 1. A stock relay is a sure bet, but one might consider the Kisan SM-1 signalMinder.

ignatz72 · 01-16-2013, 06:43 AM

For the price of the stocker, yes the Kisan is a good bet. However, I would still be hesitant to apply an upgrade to a circuit that may still have problems.

If the dash light issue isn't resolved first, who knows how it will react with a Kisan. Of course the Kisan introduces it's own issue with the single dash indicator...

disston · 01-16-2013, 08:43 AM

According to Max BMW this is the "Hazard Warning Relay" 61 31 1 358 194. It is 4 prongs. It is taller than a standard size relay, most any other relay. And it has a clip on the back so it can be attached to the place in the headlight shell made for it. It fits 1974 to 1980 Airheads.

It is possible to make the system work with another relay but I forget now what it is you loose. It is probably the way to go since the OEM part is so outrageously priced.

Cleaning is an option, if you are lucky. It may or may not work but if nothing else is fixing this problem I guess you have nothing to loose by trying to fix the one you got.

There is more info on Snowbum's site. If you need help finding the exact article or don't know what I'm talking about then I'll give you more of an explanation. Snowbum's site has tons of useful info but I'm one of those that tires of trying to make sense of it sometimes. I count Mr. Snowbum is a personal friend. I don't know if he would say the same thing about me. But he can really ramble on sometimes tho.

Bill Harris · 01-16-2013, 08:56 AM

My take? Airheads are all about "Simpli Fi". For decades I've used a $5.45 Buss flasher relay that does everything that the stock OEM /5 unit does. Even works with LED lamps. I'm sure that there is a 3 or 4 prong Buss repaly that will work.

--Bill

Syphoon · 01-17-2013, 10:55 AM

All of the replies are correct,but I would go with the assumption of a bad ground first. It is easy enough to verify. As previously stated, it is forming a ground at the glowing light. With the power on, simply start activating the other circuits.
When you hit the right one, the lamp will go out, as well as the at fault lamp circuit.
If that is not the case, then you'll have to start looking at relays and such.

While probably not related, the larger red wires going into the start relay under the tank on left side, should be cleaned up, anytime you have the tank off. They are notorious for causing all sorts of difficult to trace maladies.

Airheads really are pretty simple to work on, compared to almost anything built in the last twenty years or so.
Just my 2¢.

chasbmw · 01-17-2013, 12:04 PM

I think that the earth route for the indicator bulb in the instuement case is via the leads that go to the hydraulic fluid level switch which is at the mastercylinder underneath the fuel tank.

Do you front indicators have earth wires ? If not fit them.

disston · 01-17-2013, 01:52 PM

We might be able to help more if you would mention what year this bike is. Maybe you have posted it later? But it's not in the original post which is where I looked for it. There are three years for /6 and two versions of wiring.

meijer's trails · 01-27-2013, 08:28 AM

Thanks for the outpouring of help.
Sorry I never mentioned its a 1974 r60/6.
I did disassemble the relay, and it too looked factory new inside. I sprayed some contact cleaner anyway.

So I opted for the trico el13 snow bum replacement rrelay, which is now 12.99 at advance auto.

The "hazard" function you lose is that of a burned out turn signal bulb,
Causing the signals and I indicator to stay solid "on" no flashing on the side of the burned out bulb.

Anyway, the leak was inside the relay somehow. All the grounds and fuses were good.
I'm more than willing to lose that warning feature.
I've got no fairings so I just look at my turn signals periodically to make sure they're flashing

ML WYDELL · 02-04-2013, 08:03 AM

Did you re-configure the female side of the unit? The Trico 13 is 3 prongs.

meijer's trails · 02-04-2013, 09:07 PM

No, you just skip attaching the brown ground wire to the relay. I followed snow bums instructions

01-16-2013, 06:43 AM	#33
ignatz72 call me iggy Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Mid-South, M-town Oddometer: 600	For the price of the stocker, yes the Kisan is a good bet. However, I would still be hesitant to apply an upgrade to a circuit that may still have problems. If the dash light issue isn't resolved first, who knows how it will react with a Kisan. Of course the Kisan introduces it's own issue with the single dash indicator... __________________ Current: 93 R100GS, 04 XR650L Prior: 73 CB350, 77 R100/7, 83 R100RT I love every motorcycle I've owned and even some that I haven't.

01-16-2013, 08:43 AM	#34
disston ShadeTreeExpert Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Silver Spring, Md Oddometer: 5,026	According to Max BMW this is the "Hazard Warning Relay" 61 31 1 358 194. It is 4 prongs. It is taller than a standard size relay, most any other relay. And it has a clip on the back so it can be attached to the place in the headlight shell made for it. It fits 1974 to 1980 Airheads. It is possible to make the system work with another relay but I forget now what it is you loose. It is probably the way to go since the OEM part is so outrageously priced. Cleaning is an option, if you are lucky. It may or may not work but if nothing else is fixing this problem I guess you have nothing to loose by trying to fix the one you got. There is more info on Snowbum's site. If you need help finding the exact article or don't know what I'm talking about then I'll give you more of an explanation. Snowbum's site has tons of useful info but I'm one of those that tires of trying to make sense of it sometimes. I count Mr. Snowbum is a personal friend. I don't know if he would say the same thing about me. But he can really ramble on sometimes tho. __________________ Never memorize something you can look up. ---Albert Einstein

01-16-2013, 08:56 AM	#35
Bill Harris Confirmed Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2008 Location: backwoods Alabama Oddometer: 3,904	My take? Airheads are all about "Simpli Fi". For decades I've used a $5.45 Buss flasher relay that does everything that the stock OEM /5 unit does. Even works with LED lamps. I'm sure that there is a 3 or 4 prong Buss repaly that will work. --Bill __________________ '73 R60/5 Toaster

01-17-2013, 10:55 AM	#36
Syphoon Syphoon Joined: Sep 2011 Location: Hermitage, PA. Oddometer: 16	All of the replies are correct,but I would go with the assumption of a bad ground first. It is easy enough to verify. As previously stated, it is forming a ground at the glowing light. With the power on, simply start activating the other circuits. When you hit the right one, the lamp will go out, as well as the at fault lamp circuit. If that is not the case, then you'll have to start looking at relays and such. While probably not related, the larger red wires going into the start relay under the tank on left side, should be cleaned up, anytime you have the tank off. They are notorious for causing all sorts of difficult to trace maladies. Airheads really are pretty simple to work on, compared to almost anything built in the last twenty years or so. Just my 2¢. __________________ I didn't use the cocaine to get high, I just like the way it smells.

01-17-2013, 12:04 PM	#37
chasbmw Beastly Adventurer Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Bath Uk Oddometer: 1,010	I think that the earth route for the indicator bulb in the instuement case is via the leads that go to the hydraulic fluid level switch which is at the mastercylinder underneath the fuel tank. Do you front indicators have earth wires ? If not fit them. __________________ Charles http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps6e61ae2e.jpg R90s 1070 replica, R90/6 1971 Commando Fastback

01-17-2013, 01:52 PM	#38
disston ShadeTreeExpert Joined: Mar 2011 Location: Silver Spring, Md Oddometer: 5,026	We might be able to help more if you would mention what year this bike is. Maybe you have posted it later? But it's not in the original post which is where I looked for it. There are three years for /6 and two versions of wiring. __________________ Never memorize something you can look up. ---Albert Einstein

01-27-2013, 08:28 AM	#39
meijer's trails ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Oddometer: 402	Thanks for the outpouring of help. Sorry I never mentioned its a 1974 r60/6. I did disassemble the relay, and it too looked factory new inside. I sprayed some contact cleaner anyway. So I opted for the trico el13 snow bum replacement rrelay, which is now 12.99 at advance auto. The "hazard" function you lose is that of a burned out turn signal bulb, Causing the signals and I indicator to stay solid "on" no flashing on the side of the burned out bulb. Anyway, the leak was inside the relay somehow. All the grounds and fuses were good. I'm more than willing to lose that warning feature. I've got no fairings so I just look at my turn signals periodically to make sure they're flashing __________________ Washtenaw Co MI dirt road t.o.r.

02-04-2013, 08:03 AM	#40
ML WYDELL NED Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Looking for fuel Oddometer: 315	Did you re-configure the female side of the unit? The Trico 13 is 3 prongs.

02-04-2013, 09:07 PM	#41
meijer's trails ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Oddometer: 402	No, you just skip attaching the brown ground wire to the relay. I followed snow bums instructions __________________ Washtenaw Co MI dirt road t.o.r.

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