Guages, tail light and running lights out! - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

wpgmax · 07-11-2007, 03:02 AM

OK, I have an 88 Katana 1100. I went to go to the store just now and the Gauges didn't light up. Upon further investigation I discovered the running lights weren't on either. (tail light and signals) Bike starts and runs no problem. Head light works and the hi beams work as well. Turn signals once activated work as they should. Opened up the fuse box and all the fuses seem to be intact. Hoping someone might have a suggestion or come across this problem before. I'm at a loss as I don't even know where to start with electrical issues.

DR-Z125L · 07-11-2007, 03:06 AM

Easy Rider · 07-11-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpgmax

Opened up the fuse box and all the fuses seem to be intact.

A fuse is still the most likely cause. You (someone) needs to test them with a meter to be sure.

Other likely (and simple) causes:
Loose connector or broken wire at or near the fuse box
Bad contacts in ignition switch

If none of that pans out, you need to find someone who DOES have a clue about electrical problems!

IMHO, it is not likely to be a hard (or expensive) fix even if you have to take it to a dealer/mechanic.

wpgmax · 07-11-2007, 03:36 PM

We've had some extreme heat here lately and I'm starting to wonder if a wire has possibly gotten to close to the engine and burned through. I have tested all the fuses and they seem to be fine. I even rearranged them in the panel and, other than the driving lights, everything still works. So I think it's not a fuse issue. Possibly a connector under the fairing maybe? I got an appointment tomorrow at the local shop to have it looked at. As long as I don't drive at night I'm OK until then

wpgmax · 07-11-2007, 04:15 PM

xxxxxxxxx

**Clint** · 07-11-2007, 04:58 PM

I've never seen a fuse that looked good but was bad. I'd guess it's a bad ground somewhere, or a wire has worn through and broken. Trace as much of the harness as you can find and look for anything obvious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpgmax

p.s. I posted this in the main Mechanics section but I figured I'd post it here for the Katana guy's

Cross-posting is icky. Merged.

wpgmax · 07-11-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I've never seen a fuse that looked good but was bad. I'd guess it's a bad ground somewhere, or a wire has worn through and broken. Trace as much of the harness as you can find and look for anything obvious.

Cross-posting is icky. Merged.

We'll I agree about the fuse but to be sure I replaced all 5 without any success so I guess I can cross that off the list. At this point I guess I'll just let the shop find the bad wire as I don't have the wiring diagram for this bike and don't want to waste my time tracing irrelevant wires at this point.

New to the forum and was unaware of the Katana section. Noticed it today. Reason for the Cross Post.

**Clint** · 07-11-2007, 08:58 PM

Spend yer time/spend yer money. Yer call.

radrik · 07-11-2007, 09:20 PM

Hi There how long you've owned the 1100 Kat?
I just picked up an 88 in June, and I love it!!
Had to do the tank repair as of late, success - riding again...anyhoo...i'll look through the Suzuki shop man. and find if theres a mutual ground to the running lights and dash. Check back later.\

BTW - hows yer tank (:

Radrik
88 1100 Katana

wpgmax · 07-11-2007, 09:36 PM

I've only had the bike about 2 months. Nice bike but a bit buzy at certain rpm's. Tank seems to be pretty good at this point. Although I am aware they are a problem. I'd appreciate it if you could see in the manual what wires I should be looking for so I can look at it before I take the bike in tomorrow morning

Thanks,

**Clint** · 07-11-2007, 09:50 PM

If it wasn't already mentioned, a carb synch might help with that buzzing. It sure does on the Bandits sometimes.

wpgmax · 07-12-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

If it wasn't already mentioned, a carb synch might help with that buzzing. It sure does on the Bandits sometimes.

Carbs were done a month ago. I think Suzuki's of that generation were just buzy in general. I had an 86 GS750 ES before this bike and it suffered from the same issue in almost the exact same rpm range.

Well I just got the bike back from Motorcycle World and it was a simple connector issue at the fuse panel. They think that the previous owner might have had saddle bags with lights or possibly some additional accessories plugged in at some point that caused the issue. Anyway 1/2 an hour of time and she's back up to speed. Thanks to everyone for the input.

danp2630 · 10-27-2007, 11:06 PM

Does your bike have the bar end weights on it? Mine didn't when I got it and it was "buzzy", then ordered some bar end weights from Ron Ayers dot com and what a difference. They are kinda expensive for the factory ones, but I was not sure if aftermarket ones were as heavy as the stock ones.

07-11-2007, 03:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
wpgmax Newbie Joined: May 2007 Posts: 16	Guages, tail light and running lights out! OK, I have an 88 Katana 1100. I went to go to the store just now and the Gauges didn't light up. Upon further investigation I discovered the running lights weren't on either. (tail light and signals) Bike starts and runs no problem. Head light works and the hi beams work as well. Turn signals once activated work as they should. Opened up the fuse box and all the fuses seem to be intact. Hoping someone might have a suggestion or come across this problem before. I'm at a loss as I don't even know where to start with electrical issues.

07-11-2007, 04:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
wpgmax Newbie Joined: May 2007 Posts: 16	Running light Kaput xxxxxxxxx Last edited by wpgmax; 07-11-2007 at 05:51 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tail Chopping and Trick Signal lights.	BenchFalco	Mechanics Corner	8	07-12-2007 02:39 AM
Aftermarket tail signal lights!	meie	Sportbikes & Sport-tourers	2	10-24-2006 07:45 AM
Running lights/brake lights	blackie1491	Eye Candy	5	07-27-2006 04:59 PM
head light and tail light modulators	Frostydog	Marauder M50 Secret Hideaway	2	02-06-2006 08:23 AM
Gixxer Tail Lights	thathrillest	Eye Candy	5	10-14-2005 01:39 AM

07-11-2007, 03:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
DR-Z125L Special/Abusive Title Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,364

07-11-2007, 03:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
wpgmax Newbie Joined: May 2007 Posts: 16	We've had some extreme heat here lately and I'm starting to wonder if a wire has possibly gotten to close to the engine and burned through. I have tested all the fuses and they seem to be fine. I even rearranged them in the panel and, other than the driving lights, everything still works. So I think it's not a fuse issue. Possibly a connector under the fairing maybe? I got an appointment tomorrow at the local shop to have it looked at. As long as I don't drive at night I'm OK until then

07-11-2007, 09:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
radrik Newbie Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 1988 1100 Katana Location: Ottawa Posts: 4	Hi There how long you've owned the 1100 Kat? I just picked up an 88 in June, and I love it!! Had to do the tank repair as of late, success - riding again...anyhoo...i'll look through the Suzuki shop man. and find if theres a mutual ground to the running lights and dash. Check back later.\ BTW - hows yer tank (: Radrik 88 1100 Katana

07-11-2007, 09:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
wpgmax Newbie Joined: May 2007 Posts: 16	I've only had the bike about 2 months. Nice bike but a bit buzy at certain rpm's. Tank seems to be pretty good at this point. Although I am aware they are a problem. I'd appreciate it if you could see in the manual what wires I should be looking for so I can look at it before I take the bike in tomorrow morning Thanks,

10-27-2007, 11:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
danp2630 Newbie Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 1988 gsx1100fj Katana Location: Illinois Posts: 2	Does your bike have the bar end weights on it? Mine didn't when I got it and it was "buzzy", then ordered some bar end weights from Ron Ayers dot com and what a difference. They are kinda expensive for the factory ones, but I was not sure if aftermarket ones were as heavy as the stock ones.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)