Turn Signal Problems

Hi all, I have a 1978 KZ1000.

I have aftermarket single filament turn signals. My problem is that if I turn the switch indicator to the left, the left front , left back, & front right blink.

If I turn signals to the right, the right blinker front comes on steady light.

I know I have the flashing power cables hooked up to the blinkers, but I am not sure about the grounds, if I have the right grounds, or if there are shorts.

Can anyone give me any info on how these lights are actually hooked up?

Thanks in advance.

cadams wrote:

Hi all, I have a 1978 KZ1000.

I have aftermarket single filament turn signals. My problem is that if I turn the switch indicator to the left, the left front , left back, & front right blink.

If I turn signals to the right, the right blinker front comes on steady light.

I know I have the flashing power cables hooked up to the blinkers, but I am not sure about the grounds, if I have the right grounds, or if there are shorts.

Can anyone give me any info on how these lights are actually hooked up?

Thanks in advance.

You didn't say whther this is a recent condition, or has been going on for some time.

If the bulb is lighting, it has ground - the signal stalks ground to the frame/headlight mounts.

Two relatively obcure places to to check are the turn signal relay itself - the little round can behind the right sidecover, and the turn signal switch in the left switchblock. The relay itself can fall apart internally and do weird things, and likewise the switch contacts can become worn from use and actually roll up inside the switch housing and do weird things as well.

There's more possibilities, but those are reasonable places to start.

Post edited by: Pterosaur, at: 2007/05/15 09:53

This is a new problem, switch was working. I had a bulb blow on one of the blinkers & discovered that the guy before me had used electrical tape on every wire almost. So I was going to crimp and add new wire to the wiring to make it last longer. But since then, the dask turn lights are wrong & dont flash right.

Im thinking its due to grounding issues as I know power is right. Could the grounding cause these type issues?

And since it did work at one tmie, i doubt its a problem with the switch. If you turn the right turn signal to blink, the entire right side blinks and so does front left.
And I know that the power wires are hooked up properly, not sure about grounds.

Post edited by: cadams, at: 2007/05/15 13:18

Sounds to me like the switch is ok, the flasher is ok, but the lights are wired wrong. If you turn on one blinker and you have one left and one right flashing then you made a mistake in the wiring. Grab a test light and check it again. The grounds do not matter where they attach or to what side they all go to the same place. Not sure this is accurate but I THINK Gray is the right, green is the left. Same in the front and in the back. Since you said one light does not work at all, I think you said in the rear, not sure if you had to fool with the tail light wiring too but.. Blue is brake light red is the "parking lights" or the dim part. #1 hope all that is correct, #2 hope it helps

Thanks, feel like im getting somewhere.

In regards to front.

I have the green & gray hooked up. If i light test the right side (green i think) it flashes with the flasher on

If I test the gray (left side) with the right side flasher on, it flashes - so both fronts flash when the right side is on. if I turn left on, the left comes on steady light, very dim.

Any idea?

Oh, and where is the stupid fuse box/panel on a kz1000? Cant find it

Post edited by: cadams, at: 2007/05/15 13:37

check the wiring in the back, I'm pretty sure you will find something from the turn signals is crossed up with the brake light! The fuse box is small black plastic under the right side cover. It has a rubber piece at the top and the wires come out the bottom. You flip it up (it pivots on the rubber part) then you slide the rubber part off of the metal tab.

OK, will do. Cant I just unplug the back completely to troubleshoot the front?