Front turn signal issue

Got my 81 KZ550 into a dimmer environment tonight for the first time and noticed an issue. When I turn on the turn signals the front ones do not work right. The indicators on the console are good. The rear signals are strong. But the front really just flicker. When you turn on the left, it does not have any real pattern. When it lights up, the right one flickers as well and the headlight dims a little. Same goes for the other way. Is this likely wiring or the module itself? I was thinking of going to LED lights, would that help the problem? Thanks guys

Several things I'd check first before buying LED"s:

1.Take apart the left handle bar switch pod and look for corrosion on the contacts.A spritz of good contact cleaner(NOT WD-40!!) should help remove any corrosion, work the switch a few times.

2.Replace all turn signal bulbs, I believe for your front turn signal/running lights #1157 is the correct bulb.

3.The rear turn signal bulbs are #1156, while you're at it, replace the brake light/running light bulb(s)as it is also #1157.

4.The silver flasher cans(turn signal relays) wear out over time. They're cheap at most auto parts stores. If you decide to go with an electronic flasher for the turn signals, it might ger pricey, but it's supposed to be able to handle regular bulbs or LED's automatically.

5.Check for corrosion in the turn signal bulb sockets too and loose/corroded electrical connectors.

6.I use on my 1982 GPz1100 B2 model, a very good brand of electrical contact cleaner/preservative called De-oxit available at Radio Shack Stores in the U.S. or any good electronic supply stores. www.deoxit.com is their website.

I should add something I noticed on second look. When I turn on the bike the font blinkers come on like running lights. If you turn on the front left blinker if gets brighter as it flashs "on". At. The same time the right dims (as does the headlight). You can tell they are "blinking" but it is hard to tell which way. I tend to think it is wiring and not the module. Is that a reasonable assumption? Could the previous owner(s) have done this on purpose to add visibility with running lights for the sake of knowing which way you are turning? Thanks for any input.

It's normal for the 80's Kawasaki's to have front running lights in the turn signal assemblies. To verify, open up the signals and see if there are three wires, the BLACK with YELLOW stripe is the ground, a BLUE wire will be the running light circuit and either a GREEN or GRAY wire will be the turn sinal circuit.

It's rare, but sometimes on the front running light/turn signals, the dual filiment bulb has due to vibration the filiment(s) break on one side causing erratic operation when it touches the energized circuit inside the bulb.

That's why I suggested repacing all turn signal and brake light bulbs.

My bike did the same thing when I got it, bad ground to the front bulbs, then it tries to find ground through the other circuits which causes the dim glowing and weak blinking. Try adding a ground into the front bulb circuit.

+1 on the bad grounds.

I am guessing since it happens with both front signals (plus the headlight dims) that it is somewhere prior to the lines splitting? Where would the ground for this be running? I would assume it would be fine to ground out on the frame right?

I am just going to toss my hat in the ring.
The way you described the problem the second time sounds like someone has been into the headlight bucket, and for whatever reason, swapped the turn and running light wires.
do the brighter turn filiments come on with just the ignition switch. If they do, you will never really see the turn signal flashing next to the much brighter filament.
IF iF IF this is it, it is easy to correct-. There are basic wiring diagrams elsewhere on this forum. Just swap the 2 pwr wires for one side, and see if that works.
Good luck:woohoo:

timebomb33 wrote:

+1 on the bad grounds.

+2 on the bad grounds.

Believe it or not, I've had the movement of the front end cause the ground connection in the headlight to fray out. The result was intermittent an turn signal.

Bill

Ok, I got the wiring diagram from this site as well as the service manual. It makes sense, I am going to look into it tomorrow. How is the best way to get at the grounds on the turn signal? Is there somewhere under the tank where they come together, or is it in the turn signal assembly? I lifted the tank quick to take a glance under and a few wires look like they need some attention...

Kawasaki grounds will be a BLACK with YELLOW striped wires, look inside the turn signal bulb sockets and see if the grounds are connected to them. On some bikes, vibration may have broken the grounds or the other wires for the signals.