this forum was very helpfull to me, so before trying to solve it by myself, a next question.

rebuilded a damaged 2013 tenere, yesterday connected the signal lights. it works! but after connecting all the signal lights and tested them, they are working. but when i push the hazard lights, all signal lights only blink once and then stop, with or without a running engine.
any suggestions and/or experience where to find the solution or look first?
albert

Usually this sort of fault is typical of the indicator relay having to deal with too much current. They work OK when the relay is dealing with just the current of two indicators, but when four are in use it becomes too much. The OE relay can deal with 42W total (3.5A), which doesn’t leave any spare capacity if the current draw becomes higher than normal. There are several possible causes for higher than normal current flowing in an indicator circuit:

1) Incorrect wattage bulbs (too high) – check they are 10W
2) Bulb holders corroded/poor contact – remove bulbs and clean contact surfaces
3) Poor earth(s) – check individual indicator light earths and at the relay
4) Damaged wiring and/or poor/corroded connections – check the wiring
5) Terminals corroded and making poor contact at the relay – check and clean

It could be the hazard switch, as they don’t get a lot of use, making initial contact but then arcing because of dirty contacts. Pull the LH switch gear apart and inspect/clean that too.

Lastly, it could be the relay itself at fault. Try giving it a tap while the hazards are switched on. Does it make one click and then nothing, or does it make one click and then any other funny noises?

All of the above are the sort of things that happen when a bike is laid up for a while and connections and contact surfaces corrode and fur up. Just symptoms of lack of use really.

Often the problem you describe can be fixed by fitting a current independent relay, such as those sold for use with LEDs (the good ones, those that can cope with LEDs, normal bulbs or a mixture of both). They are purely electronic and do not rely on exactly the right current flowing through them to flash at the right rate (or at all).

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pleiades,
you must be an expert with all youre tips, thnx
it are not the bulbs, they have about 6w. i just checked and when i disconnect the front signal lights, the rear are working and also the hazard switch an rear signal lights.
so it must be the wiring on the front, maybe the cables i used have to much resistance????? i have cut them of from a led pair of lights.
will try some other cables first and check the connections this week. next week the bike is finally of for inspection to get her back on the roads.
will keep you informed
albert

pleiadus
before spending my money on a relais, had some time left, rewired the signals. they all work, the hazard signal only blinks ones and then stops??????
also disconnected the rear signals and the front did work and also the hazard lights on the front works???? like when i disconnect the front, the rear works perfect
relais??????? or.........
shine your light on this please
albert

Right, well it would almost certainly seem to be that when all four indicators are connected there is too much current flowing for the relay to operate properly.

We can assume the switch is probably OK, but might be worth a quick look/clean?

You say the bulbs in the front are 6W, are you sure they aren't 10W? You checked the wattage of the front bulbs, but did you check the rear ones also? Try checking this first. Make sure all are rated at 10W (10Wx4).

Also probably worth checking there aren't any hidden in-line resistors in the wiring which someone might have installed because the bike could once had LED indicators fitted??

Assuming all your bulbs are the correct wattage and you're happy that the wiring, connectors (including the one on the relay), bulb holders and earths are all good, then the relay is next on the list.

Easiest way to check it is to swap it for a known good one. If you can't "borrow" one, then you'll have to buy one. They aren't too expensive - about 15-20 euro.

Now you have two choices: Try a new standard one, or get an fully electronic one which will be less fussy about overall current draw and will work with 6W, 10W, 21W bulbs, LEDs, or a mix of all of them. If it were me, I'd probably go for the electronic relay. It is more likely to work and it will give you the option of fitting LED bulbs (or indicators) at a later date. They are also more robust and reliable.

Fully electronic relay: http://www.off-the-road.de/en/XT-660R-X/Electrical-system-Lighting/Flasher-relais-LED.html

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