Wiring, GL1200

683 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by danman, Aug 12, 2009

danman

Discussion Starter · Aug 11, 2009

imported post

Hi all, first time for me one here. So far I love the forum. It is a great way to kill time at work.

Just finished reading Dave Cambell 'Nasty Nine' 4 year old discussion. Posted to it this same question but then figured it was old and it was time to start a new discussion.

I have an 84 GL1200 with 60,000miles on it. For the most part it has been a dream machine until last week when I was checking on a failed brake light. I took the rear left housing out and depressed the brake at which point the entire lighting system failed, but only for a second. It was the first time I had the problem. The brake light ended up being a loose connection under the seat and once fixed all seamed ok.

The following day, while out on a ride, the lights (all) would fail, including the fuel guage and tach. After a couple kicks of the brake pedal they would come back on only to shut off again 10-15 more times.It didn't happen at any particular time or after bumps. The failures appeared to be random. We did 300kms that day, just so you don't all think I spend most of the time without lights.

Also, not really being a gear head I have been searching the forum for info on valve adjustments since mine ticks all the time. Most people are saying "no adjustments required". I have read that this is an electrical issue as well.

Where should I start when attacking these issues. I have heard/read on this forumthat theseproblems went away after fixing the wiring. Does fixing wiring mean replacing with new or eliminating harnesses all together and directly connecting the wires. (I hope that is not considered a dumb question).

Ineed to get it resolved since having no lights is obviously asking for trouble.

Thanks

Dan

See less See more

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

RB

· #2 · Aug 11, 2009

imported post

Look for a spot when all the lights and gauges go through..note it could be a ground going bad...

Save

danman

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 12, 2009

imported post

Any ideas where the ground for the lights is located? I have the bike apart with the exception of the front fairing and about an hour's worth of searching and we still can't locate the ground to the frame.

Save

DaveO430

· #4 · Aug 12, 2009

imported post

The main ground is next to the voltage regulator. While that may be the problem it could also be the ignition switch, a well known weak point on 1200s.

Save

danman

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 12, 2009

imported post

How many grounds are there on the bike? We found one but it seemed to only affect the radio (which is aftermarket and seems to be poorly installed to say the least). I was assuming there is a main ground and that there must be one more that controls the lights. Since the bike runs perfectly well (along with the radio) when the problem happens I figured the main ground is ok but I guess assumptions are not going to do me any good at this point.

Would the bike still run with a bad the ignition switch? I have been able tostart the bikeduring a failure.

We thought maybe it was the brake relay since I have found that kicking the brakes a few times seems to fix the problem. Could a bad brake relay shut down all the lights??

I hate problems like this because it is impossible to produce the failure when we need to. We worked on the bike for 3 hours last night and the whole time it worked perfectly. I didn't ride it today but I know the next time I take it out at some point it will happen again.

See less See more

Save

Shooter

· #6 · Aug 12, 2009

imported post

The fuse supplying power for the tail/brake-light sensor also powers the tach,neutral and oil pressure lights. You could have a bad connection at the fuse box. But as Dave said, the 1984 1200's did have a problem with the ignition switch,(factory recall). Some folks on here claim to have had the recall honored twenty years after the bike was made. So long as the bike hadn't been done before... :gunhead:

Save

Bike...and Dennis

· #7 · Aug 12, 2009

imported post

Hi Danman, welcome to the forum.

Another weak point on the GL12 was the big wiring plug above the solenoid. Mine went bad many, many years ago and the dealers knew about the problem then. There was no replacement ever made so the fix was to solder in new spade connectors. Anyway, check that out. If it's not showing any sign of burning, it could probably at least use some cleaning and dielectric grease.

As far as the ticking goes, the cams on the GL12 need to be centered from time to time. The procedure is described in the Honda manual. It's relatively easy to do.

Some here have foundthe hiss of an exhaust leak canbe mistakenfora ticking sound.

Save

danman

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 12, 2009

imported post

Thanks guys. Even thoughI have not solved the problem yet all the info provided is helpful. At least it gives me places to start looking because a couple days ago I had no idea where to start.

I really love this bike and want to get these little things fixed. The bike has had 9 owners over its 26 year life and this may be because they experienced the same issues, so it would be cool ifI could be the first to get the bugs fixed and actually keep the thing for a while.

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month