Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

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justind97
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Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#1 Post by justind97 » Mon Aug 01, 2016 6:41 pm

Just finishing up my bike. Was puttering with the wiring today and thought everything was great.. Finally.

Then with the signals on, I hit the brakes and the flashers go solid. What causes this?

evansje1
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#2 Post by evansje1 » Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:27 pm

Low voltage
1973 RD350
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1979 RD400F Daytona Special
1984 RZ350

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JonW
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#3 Post by JonW » Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:44 pm

+1
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justind97
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#4 Post by justind97 » Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:19 pm

Thanks! I'll charge the battery up tonight

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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#5 Post by waltmil » Tue Aug 02, 2016 5:03 am

You should probably check that your charging system is working while you're at it. Put a dc voltmeter on the battery terminals. Should be 11-12 volts with the engine off, start the engine and should have 12+ volts, 13+ at a fast idle and max at 14+ as the revs go up.
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justind97
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#6 Post by justind97 » Tue Aug 02, 2016 12:14 pm

This battery was charged about 4 months ago, and I haven't had the bike running long enough to charge it at all. I'm none too concerned about the charging system at the moment, but I will check it once I get it up and running properly.

Thanks guys!

justind97
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#7 Post by justind97 » Mon Aug 15, 2016 9:52 am

Ok, so update. Charged the battery. Didn't solve the issue.

However, I pulled the left brake bulb and the issue solved.

So, that bulb is an 1157, double filament. Should it be a single? As running lights go, on the right tail light bulb is lit up.
I'm thinking maybe it should be a single filament bulb and the double is drawing too much power?

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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#8 Post by sispeed » Mon Aug 15, 2016 9:54 am

Suggested before. Check your charging system.
What Voltage do you have when running an bring on the brake light
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evansje1
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#9 Post by evansje1 » Mon Aug 15, 2016 11:08 am

Double filament lamps are correct. Look in the lamp sockets and you should see two contacts in each socket, one for tail and one brake.
1973 RD350
2014 Suzuki DT1000
1979 RD400F Daytona Special
1984 RZ350

evansje1
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#10 Post by evansje1 » Mon Aug 15, 2016 11:11 am

Will the turn signals work if the engine is running at 2000 rpms and you apply the brakes?
1973 RD350
2014 Suzuki DT1000
1979 RD400F Daytona Special
1984 RZ350

evansje1
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Location: Heber Springs, Arkansas, USA

Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#11 Post by evansje1 » Mon Aug 15, 2016 11:16 am

Hey I just checked my RZ. My turn signal signals won't flash unless the engine is running which brings the battery voltage a bit.
1973 RD350
2014 Suzuki DT1000
1979 RD400F Daytona Special
1984 RZ350

justind97
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#12 Post by justind97 » Sun Aug 21, 2016 9:26 pm

Thanks guys. You guys were right. Finally got the bike running and blinkers work.

Now on to figure out why the temperature is not reading.

Thanks!!

evansje1
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Re: Blinkers go solid when brake light turns on?

#13 Post by evansje1 » Sun Aug 21, 2016 10:08 pm

justind97 wrote:Thanks guys. You guys were right. Finally got the bike running and blinkers work.

Now on to figure out why the temperature is not reading.

Thanks!!
YEP, dreaded case of VD!?..........voltage drop

The engine must build heat before the thermocouple outputs enough millivolts for the analog meter to start to register. The bike has to idle for a while before it can build enough heat. Check the connection on top of the head to be sure the thermocouple wire is actually on the 1/4" connector of the thermocouple.
1973 RD350
2014 Suzuki DT1000
1979 RD400F Daytona Special
1984 RZ350

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