I'm resurrecting a 1984 R80 G/S that wasn't running about 10 years ago when the previous owner unexpectedly passed away. So I can only guess as to whether (or not) he had some of the same problems I am facing now. I am not getting power to my tail light when the ignition switch is turn to its fully "on" position, the second detent. However, it works fine at the first detent, the parking light position.
When I look at the pretty colored wiring diagram in my Clymer's (page 780), this all makes sense. I see that the gray wire (which is plugged onto the #58 spade on the ignition switch (farthest forward) should only be hot when the ignition switch is turned to that first position. I've confirmed this with my tester at the switch, at the fuse box (both sides), and at the tail light. But once I turn the ignition switch all the way on, that #58 spade on the ignition switch goes dead, as does power anywhere else down that line.
So how does power make it to my tail light and the dash lights (all those that have gray wires with black stripes) once the ignition is fully on?
Tail light electrical problem
Re: Tail light electrical problem
Check for a relay that powers the headlight and taillight. On the older ones, there are three ways to power the taillight:
1. Ignition switch in 'park' position.
2. Headlight switch on park light position when ignition is 'on'
3. Headlight switch in 'headlight on' position when ignition is 'on'
Each sends power to the grey wire through a different path. If your G/S is a US model, #2 and #3 above may be the same thing, as you won't have a light switch.
My Haynes doesn't have the G/S wiring diagram specifically, but all the early 80s bikes that are covered seem similar and have a relay. Does your headlight work when the ignition switch is 'on'?
1. Ignition switch in 'park' position.
2. Headlight switch on park light position when ignition is 'on'
3. Headlight switch in 'headlight on' position when ignition is 'on'
Each sends power to the grey wire through a different path. If your G/S is a US model, #2 and #3 above may be the same thing, as you won't have a light switch.
My Haynes doesn't have the G/S wiring diagram specifically, but all the early 80s bikes that are covered seem similar and have a relay. Does your headlight work when the ignition switch is 'on'?
Call me Mel. Some years ago- never mind how long precisely- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me at home, I thought I would ride about a little and see the other parts of the world.
Re: Tail light electrical problem
I'd say get your ass to the doctor!Mystic Panama Red wrote:I'm resurrecting a 1984 R80 G/S that wasn't running about 10 years ago when the previous owner unexpectedly passed away. So I can only guess as to whether (or not) he had some of the same problems I am facing now.
sorry...
Rob V
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Major Softie
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Re: Tail light electrical problem
Rob wrote:I'd say get your ass to the doctor!Mystic Panama Red wrote:I'm resurrecting a 1984 R80 G/S that wasn't running about 10 years ago when the previous owner unexpectedly passed away. So I can only guess as to whether (or not) he had some of the same problems I am facing now.
sorry...
MS - out
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Mystic Panama Red
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Re: Tail light electrical problem
My thanks to Melville for useful information, and to Rob for adding a bit of levity to the situation. I have been in touch with John Sounders, the owner of Thunderchild aftermarket diode boards and other electrical knick knacks. Here comes a shameless plug for his business: Check out http://www.thunderchild-design.com.
After looking at several other wiring diagrams, I see that other bikes used a headlight relay (like melville pointed out) that sends current down a gray wire to the same fuse box under the tank. My bike doesn't have that type of relay, and only has the one gray wire going to the fuse box. All I can guess is that the ignition switch originally on this bike kept that #58 spade "hot" when the ignition was fully on, but the dearly departed previous owner replaced it with the current switch, which won't work. The bike had other issues, so he may not have ridden this airhead (he had others), and planned to sort it out at some point in the future that never came to be. May he rest in peace. He was a great guy with a quick wit and great sense of style and sense of humor. Remember -- only the good die young. And he did.
Back to the bike and John at Thunderchild. John says that unless I plan to enter the bike in a concours show somewhere (no, I don't) then a 25 cent diode between the yellow head light wire and the gray tail light wire should do the trick. He's kind enough to be sending me one, so I'll owe him an adult beverage or even a sandwich the next time I see him.
I'll give a final post that "all is well" once I have connected the little bugger and resolved the problem. And then I'll be having an adult beverage myself.
Thanks to all for reading,
Mystic Panama Red
After looking at several other wiring diagrams, I see that other bikes used a headlight relay (like melville pointed out) that sends current down a gray wire to the same fuse box under the tank. My bike doesn't have that type of relay, and only has the one gray wire going to the fuse box. All I can guess is that the ignition switch originally on this bike kept that #58 spade "hot" when the ignition was fully on, but the dearly departed previous owner replaced it with the current switch, which won't work. The bike had other issues, so he may not have ridden this airhead (he had others), and planned to sort it out at some point in the future that never came to be. May he rest in peace. He was a great guy with a quick wit and great sense of style and sense of humor. Remember -- only the good die young. And he did.
Back to the bike and John at Thunderchild. John says that unless I plan to enter the bike in a concours show somewhere (no, I don't) then a 25 cent diode between the yellow head light wire and the gray tail light wire should do the trick. He's kind enough to be sending me one, so I'll owe him an adult beverage or even a sandwich the next time I see him.
I'll give a final post that "all is well" once I have connected the little bugger and resolved the problem. And then I'll be having an adult beverage myself.
Thanks to all for reading,
Mystic Panama Red
Re: Tail light electrical problem
"Nobody feels like working
because Panama Red is back in town..."
because Panama Red is back in town..."
Rob V