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IronMick
12th February 2005, 23:53
My turnsignals on my 1998 ALWAYS cancel too soon, or inconsistently. So i am finally checking them out.

There is an extra black box in the circuit. It is about 3" X 1,3/8" X 3/4". It is solid resin [or whatever] so there is no possibility of seeing inside. It has no markings of any kind on it. It has one black wire going directly to a ground, one brown wire tied into the right rear turn signal wire [at the connection from the wireing harness], and one purple wire similarly going to the left rear.

This box gets warm if i leave the signals running for a few minutes. The black wire going to ground has a couple of frayed strands where it connects to the black box, but otherwise appears to be good.

The bike has custom turn signals with tiny bulbs [plug in not screw in]. I have replaced the tiny bulbs with same style but larger for better visibility. The new signal lights are self grounding so they do not use the ground wire from the harness.

The turn signal controller is the gray box mounted on the back fender. It has an 8-wire connector [different from the 10-wire described in another thread]:
1 - ground
2 - +ve volts
3 - right output
4 - left output
5 - input from speedo
6 - unused
7 - right input
8 - left input

Questions:
1. What is the extra black box?
2. the pin 6 appears to have a reset button; the manual says it is unused. Is this really a button?
3. Any clues to inconsistent signal behaviour?

Moved On
13th February 2005, 00:00
Hey Mick,

I'm gonna guess that the black box is some sorta load balancer (resistors from brown to ground and from purple to ground). If those custom lights didn't pull enough current to keep the turn signal module happy, then this black box could have been there to get some extra current flowing through the circuit. Since you have added larger bulbs, yo umay be pulling enough current with out the load balancer (if that's what it is).

Gazza

IronMick
13th February 2005, 03:28
Hey Mick,

I'm gonna guess that the black box is some sorta load balancer (resistors from brown to ground and from purple to ground). If those custom lights didn't pull enough current to keep the turn signal module happy, then this black box could have been there to get some extra current flowing through the circuit. ... .

Gazza

Probably that is right. I disconnected the box - then the signals did not work. They would come on and stay on but not flash. The 4-way flashers would work. I would guess the PO got it as part of the package with the custom signals.

Sure wish they would not turn off so soon tho.

stevo
13th February 2005, 03:37
As Gaz said

It sounds like a load increaser..... the HD signal unit takes a certain amount of load current for it to work..... if you fit the wrong bulbs they often don't work as there isn't enough current load..

SOmetimes they just glow and won't flash...

A couple of companies make a "black box" load equaliser to increase the load so the lights will flash with small wattage bulbs...

Moved On
13th February 2005, 19:18
Hey Mick,

Just in case you didn't know already. The turn signal module starts the timer when you release the button. If you hold the button in (or stop moving) the signals will continue to flash. Since I learned that trick I will sometimes hold the button in when I know I'm starting the signal early. It's a pain in the arse though, bacause it's not real easy to hold the button in while you are trying to use the other hand controls at the same time :(

Gazza

djs
14th February 2005, 22:59
My turnsignals on my 1998 ALWAYS cancel too soon, or inconsistently. So i am finally checking them out.


The turn signal controller is the gray box mounted on the back fender. It has an 8-wire connector [different from the 10-wire described in another thread]:
1 - ground
2 - +ve volts
3 - right output
4 - left output
5 - input from speedo
6 - unused
7 - right input
8 - left input


i just recently disabled the turn signal cancelation of my turnsignals. (2003 883R) I disconnected the 8-wire connector from the turn signal control module. The end of the connector pulls off to reveal the wires inside. Used a screw driver to lift the plastic so i can slide the wire out. Removed the number 5 wire and moved it to the number 6 slot. easy to do and now my turn signals don't turn off earlt and i don't need to keep the signal depressed as i drive in order to keep it activated.

IronMick
15th February 2005, 01:27
i just recently disabled the turn signal cancelation of my turnsignals. (2003 883R) I disconnected the 8-wire connector from the turn signal control module. The end of the connector pulls off to reveal the wires inside. Used a screw driver to lift the plastic so i can slide the wire out. Removed the number 5 wire and moved it to the number 6 slot. easy to do and now my turn signals don't turn off earlt and i don't need to keep the signal depressed as i drive in order to keep it activated.

Wow! I just came in from the shop having examined the 8-wire connector to the turn signal controller. Had decided to post here about disconnecting pin 5. I was not sure what to do with it when pulled out. Of course,, stick it into unused position 6. Brilliant!!

I shall do this tonight! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!

Moved On
15th February 2005, 02:31
Brill mate... That is awesome and so stinkin simple !!!

Gazza