lights in reverse

[amateurhour]

I have a little problem with my machine I recently purchased: whilst the rear indicators work fine the front indicators and brake light are constantly on, even though they work as they should when you activate the indicators. When I use the front or rear brake, the light, still on, gets brighter. The previous owner mentioned something about the flasher relay. I'm going to be honest at this point - I'm don't own an @ anymore and i'm referring to a vf500, but if anyone can point me in the direction of a better honda forum site............ha! you can't, can you?
ps if anyone out there has experience of swapping out engines do you have any special tips that might not be found in the service manuals?

[BobA]

Your problem sounds like a definite earth problem.

The earth which grounds all the lights affected is not in contact with the frame, so the current is finding a false earth, via the resistance of all the bulbs and devices that are earthed at the same point.

Follow the earth wire from the affected lights and you will probably find they all go to the same connector, and this will either be disconnected, or covered in green gunge/corrosion.


Good Luck



Bob

[Steve T]

Wot BobA said

[BobA]

I've had another thought on this.

Is your bike an import by any chance?

If so, it may be a U.S import bike, and if it is, a lot of these have running lights, so the front indicators are fitted with dual filament bulbs (like the stop & tail lamp) and the 5w part stays on with the headlamp, and the 21w part flashes with the indicators, making the light go from dull to bright, rather than on & off.

The only reason I say this is, you mention that the brake light is always on, but then later you say that it does get brighter if you apply the front or rear brake.

Another quick visual reference on whether it's a US bike is, the side of the front mudguard or forks, are often fitted with yellow reflectors.



Bob

[BIGROG]

Bang on Bob, sounds like an earth prob, clean every connection including the earthing points to the frame/engine

Rog.

[Wangit]

As one Bob to another Bob, I would go for a mankey earth too.
Bob