GL1200 position light and fuel/carb issue

[tbeiler]

86 GL1200 Aspencade

Issue number 1

With key on or engine running, only one side, either L front or R front position lights remain on. Sometimes if L front position light is on the R front side will be off, and vice versa, if R side front position light is on, the L side front position light is off. I can't get both to remain on at the same time.
Both turn signals work fine, and both cancel automatically after a turn or when I push in the switch to manual cancel. I did spray some electrical contact cleaner into turn signal switch, but no help. Can someone lead me in the right direction, electrical is not my strong suit.

Issue number 2

Did synch the carbs and installed new timing belts about 2 years ago, new plugs, air filter, oil change just this year. Engine runs great, starts great, lots of power, but do notice when giving her and then quickly backing off, I can smell a bit of fuel in exhaust. Not overpowering, but smell of fuel regardless. I'm thinking its running a bit rich just from the smell, but I don't know for sure. I have never fiddled with the carbs other than synchronizing them. I also feel like I used to get better fuel economy years ago when I first got the bike, but I don't really check my fuel consumption. I have never changed any of the vacuum hoses since my 10 year ownership. Can anyone lead me in the right direction on what to look for.

Replies are always appreciated.

[oldishwinger]

86 GL1200 Aspencade

Issue number 1

With key on or engine running, only one side, either L front or R front position lights remain on. Sometimes if L front position light is on the R front side will be off, and vice versa, if R side front position light is on, the L side front position light is off. I can't get both to remain on at the same time.
Both turn signals work fine, and both cancel automatically after a turn or when I push in the switch to manual cancel. I did spray some electrical contact cleaner into turn signal switch, but no help. Can someone lead me in the right direction, electrical is not my strong suit.

Issue number 2

Did synch the carbs and installed new timing belts about 2 years ago, new plugs, air filter, oil change just this year. Engine runs great, starts great, lots of power, but do notice when giving her and then quickly backing off, I can smell a bit of fuel in exhaust. Not overpowering, but smell of fuel regardless. I'm thinking its running a bit rich just from the smell, but I don't know for sure. I have never fiddled with the carbs other than synchronizing them. I also feel like I used to get better fuel economy years ago when I first got the bike, but I don't really check my fuel consumption. I have never changed any of the vacuum hoses since my 10 year ownership. Can anyone lead me in the right direction on what to look for.

Replies are always appreciated.

If I may ask a question when you mention position lights do you mean the small lights situated on either side of the headlight, or the running lights that are in the indicator lights

[tbeiler]

The running lights that also share the indicator lights.

[DaveO430]

You may have a problem with the position light relay. The manual doesn't say exactly where it is other than left of front forks.
I don't have any thoughts on the fuel smell.

[oldishwinger]

Im no electrical expert for sure but I believe the L and R are on the same circuit, so one side could effecting the other.

take the lens off the front indicators, and clean the contacts with electrical cleaner, check the wire connections for corrosion etc. replace the bulbs in case one is faulty. Not sure if yours is same as mine, but where the bulb seats there is a spring (you cant see it) that keeps pressure on the connections to the bulbs, with the bulbs out you should be able to slide the connections, when pushed with a finger, if one of these has jammed which is common, it can cause problems with intermittent bulbs.

good luck.

[tbeiler]

Well guys, its a start, I'll definitely take off the amber lenses and check out the contacts. I will also hunt for the location of the turn signal relay.
I thought I remember seeing a drawing of the bike showing the electrical connector numbers / function and their location on the bike. Going to scour the Clymer manual. Thanks

[DaveO430]

Well guys, its a start, I'll definitely take off the amber lenses and check out the contacts. I will also hunt for the location of the turn signal relay.
I thought I remember seeing a drawing of the bike showing the electrical connector numbers / function and their location on the bike. Going to scour the Clymer manual. Thanks

It is not the turn signal relay, it is the position light relay. How it works is the switch is either in the left or right position, whichever is opposite the last signal used. When the signal is activated the position relay turns off and the light opposite the signal is on, when the signal is turned off the position relay turns on and connects both position lights together. If the lights both work but 1 at a time the bulb contacts are obviously good.

[oldishwinger]

Well guys, its a start, I'll definitely take off the amber lenses and check out the contacts. I will also hunt for the location of the turn signal relay.
I thought I remember seeing a drawing of the bike showing the electrical connector numbers / function and their location on the bike. Going to scour the Clymer manual. Thanks

The indicator relay is situated near the right fork, if you look down the tunnel, where the right hand handlebar is,and you see the fork, it is tucked up to eft near some wiring hard to see but can feel it there, turn an indicator on and you may hear it too.

[tbeiler]

Right you are Dave, it is the position light relay i am looking for, not the indicator light relay. My indicator lights work when turning either way. Sometimes left is on, and sometimes right is on, but never both at the same time. Now to find the position light relay.

[virgilmobile]

My position lights (cornering lights) only come on when I use that particular turn signal.Left turn,left light Right turn right light.My88.
There suppose to light up only the area I'm turning to.

[DaveO430]

My position lights (cornering lights) only come on when I use that particular turn signal.Left turn,left light Right turn right light.My88.
There suppose to light up only the area I'm turning to.

He's not talking about cornering lights. It's the position lights in the front turn signals.

[virgilmobile]

My position lights (cornering lights) only come on when I use that particular turn signal.Left turn,left light Right turn right light.My88.
There suppose to light up only the area I'm turning to.

He's not talking about cornering lights. It's the position lights in the front turn signals.

See what happens when I don't read every post
My bad.I'll shut up now.

[tbeiler]

Did some searching on the parts manual and found the location and part number of the position relay. Appears that it is below the coils closer to the left side when sitting on the bike.
Part number is 38601-MB3-671.
Still want to check mine out before ordering one from the net, or maybe get a used one from the local wrecker.

Anyone have any ideas on the fuel smell? I really don't know where to look. I am going to synch the carbs again, last time I did it was about 2.5 years ago and see if that makes any difference.

By the way Virgil, too funny. See what happens when you don't read the posts.

[DaveO430]

You could jump the orange/white & lt blue/white wires together at the relay and have both lights stay on all the time.
Synching the carbs is not going to fix a fuel smell. Look for a small leak.

[tbeiler]

Got it Dave, thanks for the tip about jumping the wires. I will give it a try.
The fuel smell by the way is in the exhaust, There are no leaks.

[DaveO430]

The fuel smell by the way is in the exhaust, There are no leaks.

OK, synch probably won't fix that either. Not that it's not a good thing to do but it's not a cure all.

[tbeiler]

Yes, do realize that Dave, i'm just interested to see the difference in readings from the synch a few years back.