Trying to sort a problem with my lads Multistrada 620. The rear left indicator is staying on all the time or flickering on and off even with the ignition off and key out. The bike has been ridden through the last 2 days of pooring rain and the lad reports he has had the warning lights flickering on and off on the dash. The bike still runs, the indicators work and cancel and the left indicator mounted in the mirror does not stay on like the rear does. I am currently drying the bike in the garage after running it up to temperature, also have a fan heater on next to the bike. Currently the light still refues to go out so as a temp measure to stop it draining the battery I have disconected the inline plug feeding the tail end at the rear of the bike. Any suggestions where I should start looking next if drying and WD 40 do not cure bearing in mind I am no electrical expert. Thanks for looking.
I like this, although may I suggest just taking it out and putting it back in when wanting to turn left. Thank you
Hi Richard. Not familiar with the bike, do you have a wiring diagram and a multimeter? What year is the bike? I am guessing here that the flash rate will be controlled by the dash, like later bikes. If it was a chaffed wire issue I don't think it would come on with the key out, its gotta be getting fed juice from somewhere and I'll take a guess at the dash or the multiconnector at the dash (especially if the warning lights are misbehaving also). Technically the front one should be doing the same but the dash electronics can do a lot of weird shit that in theory should not happen. I'd check the connector at the dash and gently dry out the dash module and around that area with warm air (not too hot mind) and see if it starts to behave again. John
I am thinking dash, it's a 2005 machine but thought it strange that the front indicator does not stay on like the rear. The lad reported that all the dash lights were dimly on at one point so guess water has entered somewhere. If I can not clear the fault perhaps a fix could be to disconnect the live feed from the indicator and then run a new single cable from the front indicator live feed to the rear indicator effectively bypassing the fault, a slight bodge I know
Had a look at a 1200 Multistroodle wiring diag, it does use the dash on that model so its almost a cert that yours does too. There are separate feeds to front and rear from the dash. I have no clue what goes on inside that unit and I'd be wary because of the cost of a new module if you overloaded anything in there. If your brave enough you could give it a go, personally I wouldn't for fear of screwing the whole thing. If you were to parallel the front I'd at least consider using an LED indicator or bulb replacement on the rear to reduce the load. Maybe somebody who knows more than me will chip in. The only other option would be to rewire the whole indicator circuit and use a flash relay but that is a bit of a pain and the dash warning lights for the indicators wouldn't work. In the meantime I'd disconnect the battery and try to warm it through with the system dead. I think there is a reasonable chance it will be Ok after it all dries out. Good luck with it, be interesting to know the outcome. Gladly help some more if I can but to me these dash units are expensive black boxes full of magic shit. John
Yes I agree, chickened out of bypassing the fault and think the fault is water ingress into the dash unit. Tried to dry it out on the bike but no success but can see condensation forming on the inside of the clocks so know damp is in there. Studied the wiring diagram in the handbook and it looks like the rear indicator is fed direct ( via 1 junction box) from the dash unit and as soon as you unplug the main dash plug the indicator light goes out. I have now removed the clock/dash unit from the bike (only 3 rubber mounted bolts and a main connector block) and placed it face down in the airing cupboard in the house to slowly dry out over a couple of days lets hope that works or it could get expensive!
Richard If the 620 is the same as the 1200 it looks like the rear indicators are fed via the vehicle control unit BBS whatever the hell that is. It's possible that the rears are fed from the dash via a digital signal on the CAN to the VCU which then provides the power to drive the bulbs, but I cannot be sure. I think the dash will be the primary source though. If it is like that then I'd be very wary about any hot wiring as the dash is probably only rated to support the front LED indicators. However you are saying its via a JB and not a separate source..................maybe the 1200 (the only diag I have) is different If you can get me a pdf or jpg of the diag and key I could take a look PM me if you think that would help and you can do it. I hate Christmas anyway, dunno how much use I'll be.......no guarantees With a bit of luck it may right itself anyway John
Thanks for the help, leaving the unit in the airing cupboard for a couple of days then will refit. If it doesn't work then I may well be back in touch. As the bike belongs to my son who of course being a student has no money I am loathed to throw a load of cash at the machine to fix a sticking on indicator........ everything else on the bike works fine. The whole bike only cost him just over £2K and he has doubled the 2300 miles it had on it in 6 months, been a great bike up to now.
As the problem started in the recent torrential rain we've been having I'm inclined to agree with others that drying everything out will probably sort the problem. My 848's dash got condensation inside when I got caught in some rain. My bike rarely gets wet! WD40 is also wonderful stuff when electrics and water come together. Another thought, motor electrics sometimes switch the earth and have permanent live feeds to items. You only need to have water giving an earth and the [whatever] is then on. Hope it sorts out cheaply :smile:
Multi dash units do not like water, try putting the dash in a bag of rice, then in the airing cupboard, the rice will draw out the moisture, if it still wont work you will be looking at a repair, try scorpio, others on here will no more detail.
Well a bit of good news on Christmas eve :smile: Just refitted the dash after 2 days drying slowly out in the airing cupboard and all works fine. Anyone got any suggetions to stop water getting in again? Other than: Buy a Honda and don't ride in the rain! Cheers guys for the help and Merry Christmas
Result Richard Good stuff. With the XX98 dashes misting is a problem. If you google around "misting dash 1098" or summit similar I am sure there will be a few suggestions. As I recall silicone and descant bags were involved. The joys of having bikes designed by people who are not familiar sub zero temps and constant rain John
