Back up Beeper

[GL470]

I am thinking about adding a small beeper to the reverse system on my 2008 GL1800 8A. The purpose is to rub it in to my Harley riding friends. As I read through the service manual, I realized it is more complicated than I thought. I don’t quite understand the wiring diagram. Does anyone knows a simple way to tap into the reverse system?
Thank you in advance, Kenny

[DenverWinger]

I Like that! I'll have to do that to my 1500. Sorry, I don't have any 1800 schematics....

1800 has reverse indicator bulb on the dash, no? The beeper doesn't pull much power, you should be able to patch it into the indicator bulb circuit....

[GL470]

Sounds logical, but to get at the wire loom to the instrument panel, I have to remove the windshield and front garnish. That is a lot of work. I was looking at the reverse switch on the attached picture. However, I am not 100% sure on how it functions. I think this is just a grounding switch. What do you think?
Kenny

[DenverWinger]

You shouldn't have to get into the instrument panel wire loom at all, there may be other points to access the Indicator power. For the 1500 as an example, I traced in the schematics where the Reverse Indicator bulb gets its power. Followed the line in the schematic to one of the connector pins for the Reverse Control Unit, which on the 1500 is under the seat. That's where I'd tap in the beeper.

Seems 1800 should be similar.

[Andy Cote]

On the GL1500 there used to be a backup light available. Below are the install instructions. Perhaps this will help with a beeper. Again, this is only for the GL1500.

[GL470]

Thanks guys, I’ll give it a shot.
Kenny

[Rambozo]

Also be sure to lead your buddies into the steepest downhill parking area you can find.

[Techdude2000]

You could power it from the white/blue wire at the speed limit relay. It only has power on this wire when the system is in reverse. You will have to ground it somewhere else, the relay is controlled by the cruise/reverse control module and isn’t energized unless you start backing up too fast, so there’s no dedicated ground at it.

[GL470]

Techdude2000, thanks, I can find a ground quite easily. I’ll check it out.
Kenny

[Techdude2000]

Techdude2000, thanks, I can find a ground quite easily. I’ll check it out.
Kenny

It doesn’t make a difference, but this wire is also on the power control relays #1 & #2 as well.

[GL470]

Tuchdude2000, I just studied the service manual. I think I can find the white/blue wire near the reverse regulator. Is this the right wire? I probably have to remove the left saddle bag to get to it. Thanks.
Kenny

[Techdude2000]

Tuchdude2000, I just studied the service manual. I think I can find the white/blue wire near the reverse regulator. Is this the right wire? I probably have to remove the left saddle bag to get to it. Thanks.
Kenny

Yes same wire at pin 10 of it. I don’t like pulling off the saddlebags, that’s why I pointed you to the relays under the seat.

[GL470]

Relays under the seat? That sounds a lot easier to get to than pulling the left saddle bag or the front nose panels. Let me look closely at the service manual tonight, see if I can find it there. Easier to find a ground there too.
My problem is my limited understand of how to read the wiring diagrams. Making everything a guess work.
Thanks a bunch.
Kenny

[Techdude2000]

Relays under the seat? That sounds a lot easier to get to than pulling the left saddle bag or the front nose panels. Let me look closely at the service manual tonight, see if I can find it there. Easier to find a ground there too.
My problem is my limited understand of how to read the wiring diagrams. Making everything a guess work.
Thanks a bunch.
Kenny

You’re welcome, yes those three relays are under the seat in the relay bank. The cover should show the location of each one and you have to pull the cover and flip the individual row of relays over enough to see their wires on the bottom of their sockets. The starter/reverse circuit is the most complicated set of circuits on the bike, it has taken me a few years to figure out how and why it works the way it does.

[GL470]

May be I’ll leave it for now. I have never explored under the relay bank. I’ll read up on it first to understand how it functions before starting the work. Riding season is here now, I don’t want to be sidelined because I’ve done something I don’t understand.
Thanks a again. I hope you don’t mind if I contact (PM) you when the time comes.
Kenny

[Techdude2000]

May be I’ll leave it for now. I have never explored under the relay bank. I’ll read up on it first to understand how it functions before starting the work. Riding season is here now, I don’t want to be sidelined because I’ve done something I don’t understand.
Thanks a again. I hope you don’t mind if I contact (PM) you when the time comes.
Kenny

Ok, sounds good.