Rear running lights

1981 KZ 550LTD, are the rear turn signals supposed to be on all the time as running lights as well as operating as turn signals? There is an 1157 bulb but only 2 wires to the socket.

Can't speak directly to the 550, but on every motorcycle I've owned, (that *had* turn signals...:whistle: ) I pretty much recall that front turn signals were full-time on and rears were turn signal only - including my cop bike. I'd guess the idea is not to detract attention from the tail/brake light unless something calls for it, like indicating a turn.

Been awhile since I've even had to change one of those bulbs - is there a single or a two contact well on the socket? Someone could have stuffed an 1157 bulb in an 1156 (single contact/filament) socket - stranger things have happened. Or, it could be a series connection in the socket to light up both filaments for a brighter flash.

Interesting question....

I guess I probably should have fed you a few more details. The rear lights are built into the saddlebags. My reason for asking is that one side is lit very dimly and the other is not. I'm trying to figure out if I have a light out or if I have some stray voltage tickling the bulb.

Yes, the socket is made for an 1157 bulb, two "bumps". Yes I changed the bulb in the side not lit with a known good bulb and it still did not light.

Vter Bob wrote:

I guess I probably should have fed you a few more details. The rear lights are built into the saddlebags. My reason for asking is that one side is lit very dimly and the other is not. I'm trying to figure out if I have a light out or if I have some stray voltage tickling the bulb.

With a proviso that I'm no expert in things 550, I'll put in a vote for stray voltage somewhere.

Yes, the socket is made for an 1157 bulb, two "bumps". Yes I changed the bulb in the side not lit with a known good bulb and it still did not light.

Okay.

Do the turn signals work?

And, when the signals are on, are both filaments lit?

The spare filament is likely for 4-ways, if I'm guessing right - and could be the source of the "stray"...:whistle:

Yes, the turn signals work. Only one filament lights. I guess I got some hunting to do. Thanks for your help This site is just the best!

Vter Bob wrote:

Yes, the turn signals work. Only one filament lights. I guess I got some hunting to do. Thanks for your help This site is just the best!

You bet.

One other thing comes to mind - turn on the lights and see which of the two filaments is the one "dimly" coming on - the turn signal or the 4-way filament - it'll tell you which circuit is the likely source...

Also, it'd be helpful to not whether the "dim" light situation is consistent in both motor running vs. motor off condition. I'm not sure about the rectifier location on 550s, but it could be something as silly as inductance, though not likely.

Best of luck.

Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2006/07/04 20:52

AHA! It's not the turn signal filament. Thanks for the great tip. I'll be scouring the FSM and then digging in.

Hey Bob,
I just got back home and read this, sounds like you are on your way to figuring it out. On thing I can add from my experience with lights on plow frames and trailers- check your grounds. I have had all sorts of strange things happen with a bad ground. It's pretty easy to put a little jumper cable on as a 'redundant' ground wire to see if anything changes.

Nevco48 wrote:

....One thing I can add from my experience with lights on plow frames and trailers- check your grounds. I have had all sorts of strange things happen with a bad ground. It's pretty easy to put a little jumper cable on as a 'redundant' ground wire to see if anything changes.

Agreed.

Doppelganger! Arrrgh. Delete!


:whistle:

Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2006/07/04 21:35

if they are yellow, they are turn signals only. Rear running lights have to be red.

Post edited by: loudhvx, at: 2006/07/06 12:39

If the rear turn signals are mounted in bags, then they are aftermarket. Generally aftermarket signals that use dual filament bulbs, like an 1157, will have two small contacts in the bulb holder socket. These are positive contacts and the application is meant for running lights and turn signals. These type bulb holders rely on a frame ground and generally, one has to be provided. Take a piece of wire and unscrew the bulb holder and wrap the end of the wire around the screw and retighten. Then connect the wire to a frame ground. Now, you will have a circuit for both filaments on the 1157. To connect them, don't pay much attention to the aftermarket wire colors. They will generally use black, white and/or red for these wires although both will be hot (positive). First, note that there are two filaments on the bulb of dissimilar length. The longer filament is the brighter and should be used for the turn signal. Just note how the bulb orients when you put its bayonettes in the holder and twist it. The wire associated with the longer filament will be used for your turn signal connection.

At the rear of your wiring harness is a connector. It will have a BLUE wire, a RED wire and a BLACK/YELLOW wire and either TWO GREEN or TWO GRAY or A GRAY and a GREEN wire. You can splice into the BLACK/YELLOW wire with the GROUND wires from your turn signals OR connect them to the frame; probably where the turn signals mount. It doesn't much matter. Just make sure the ground connection is secure and don't try grounding on paint.

The GREEN and GRAY colors are used on most all Kawasakis for turn signals. Sometimes one of each. Sometimes two of the same color. Run one of these wires to each of your turn signals. At this point, you have a 50/50 chance of connecting them correctly as far as right to right and left to left. Make temporary connections because you may have to reverse them.

To connect the OTHER filament (lower wattage and shorter) on the 1157, connect the wire associated with it to the RED wire from your harness. This is the running light wire on your brake. On older models, this power is switched on when you switch your headlight on and newer, it comes directly from the ignition switch. In any case, it will provide a running light. For reference, the blue wire in the harness at the rear is the brake light wire.