Indicators doing funky chicken

**manwithav8** · 25th August 2007, 15:40

OK, I removed the tail section to relocate my number plate. All is back on and hooked up correctly but now the indicators will not flash correctly. They flicker with engine pulses but do not flash as an indicator should.
While this is happenening there is a buzzing sound coming from the flasher unit.
I have double checked all the wires are connected properly and where they should go ( labelled before disconnecting ).

Could this be due to a slightly discharged battery and not my auto sparky skills??

The bike has been sitting for a month and a half, been started every couple of days but not riden. Just started up and ran for 5-10 mins then shut down and hiden away under cover.

Please help
Thanks

**davereid** · 25th August 2007, 15:51

Yep, autoelectrics do weird things if batteries are missing/flat/faulty. Don't stress about it until the battery is charged.

**manwithav8** · 25th August 2007, 15:54

as I predicted. But as I am newish to bike electrics then it had me pondering and double checking the work I had just finished...

Obvioulsy running the bike at idle for 10 mins isn't enough to fully charge the battery. Don't want to run it any longer as it is aircooled ..

**xwhatsit** · 25th August 2007, 17:06

Originally Posted by manwithav8

Obvioulsy running the bike at idle for 10 mins isn't enough to fully charge the battery. Don't want to run it any longer as it is aircooled ..

Yeah you need to ride it mate. Most bikes are the same -- according to my Haynes manual my bike doesn't start charging until at least 1500rpm (and that's with no headlights or anything switched on). Take it for a proper ride, or stick the battery in a charger.

**McDuck** · 1st September 2007, 16:13

maby this below?

**McDuck** · 1st September 2007, 16:15

or put a fan up against the engine? If you hare only holding at 2000 rpm it might be ok???

**McDuck** · 1st September 2007, 16:35

fuse had gone taking out everything apart form headlight and starter on the handle bar controls etc. I have replaced the fuse and everything apart from rear passenger side (if cage) and front rivers side (if cage) is working. Removed bulbs to find them blown. Replaced bulb and still no go. Any tips as to where to go next? The front holder has come apart, should not be hard to find a new one.
Katana 250 1991...
Thanks

**McDuck** · 1st September 2007, 17:15

Originally Posted by Mcduck5n

fuse had gone taking out everything apart form headlight and starter on the handle bar controls etc. I have replaced the fuse and everything apart from rear passenger side (if cage) and front rivers side (if cage) is working. Removed bulbs to find them blown. Replaced bulb and still no go. Any tips as to where to go next? The front holder has come apart, should not be hard to find a new one.
Katana 250 1991...
Thanks

WTF that was ment to be a new thread????

**skidMark** · 1st September 2007, 17:22

now thats entertainment

re origional post...charge battery.

**surfer** · 3rd September 2007, 14:51

Start with a fully charged battery as previously stated.

If you are popping fuses and blowing bulbs you might have an earthing problem. One of the wires might be short circuiting against another or against the frame.

Check the loom for any breaks and then repair appropriately (i.e. mechanical join,then solder, then cover with heat shrink preferably and or tape making sure that the heat shrink ha been slid onto the wire and out of the way before you join it back together).

Clean up any rusted connections or replace them.

If you have done this and still no joy then it is time to get a multimeter out and be more throrough with looking for the fault.

Good luck

**surfer** · 3rd September 2007, 14:53

Originally Posted by Mcduck5n

or put a fan up against the engine? If you hare only holding at 2000 rpm it might be ok???

Don't do this one, not recommended. You run the risk of overheating your bike and doing some damage.

Take the battery out and charge it properly.

**McJim** · 3rd September 2007, 14:56

I'm just gobsmacked that someone can turn on a Ducati engine for 5-10 minutes and not jump on the bastard and blart down the road.

I wouldn't be able to resist.

**manwithav8** · 8th September 2007, 19:28

Originally Posted by McJim

I'm just gobsmacked that someone can turn on a Ducati engine for 5-10 minutes and not jump on the bastard and blart down the road.

I wouldn't be able to resist.

It has been damn hard Jim.... My driveway is very short so nothing over 2000rpm happening here lol....

Problem solved, took to it with a multi meter. Batt was fully charged so not that.

Check input to flasher unit, was getting battery voltage and signal volts were nice and strong. Took flasher out and wired up to my big bohemouth 12V truck battery, and nothing happened, not even a click...

Off to repco for new flasher and there you have it.... donk donk donk donk... lol and no I don't mean click click click, this new flasher makes some serious heavy donking when it is operating...

Indicators flash rather fast now though, might put some slightly higher wattage bulbs in there to slow flash rate..

Anyways, thanks for the advice people, guess I should get off my @ss and diagnose the problem, fix and stop being lazy and asking on here lol... If I can't fix in future, then I will ask..