Motorcycle Electrical: Test Lights, Turn Signals and Electrical Issues

Installing new turn signals on your Honda motorcycle? Having an electrical issue that is driving you nuts?
In this video I unpack some simple tricks on how to use a test light to hopefully bring understanding on topics such as:
- Installing/removing turn signals
- Understanding Single and dual filament systems
- Common Honda wiring
- Reading a Wiring diagram
- Tracing electricity
- Testing fuses
Join me as we get to test out an impromptu headlight issue I soon discovered on the nighthawk. We get to test and find out some tricks for narrowing your issue down and possibly finding the issue!
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Jumper cables (alligator clips):
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Battery charger:
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or
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[@trainmaster0217]

I'd like to nominate Cody for "Teacher Of The Year"! Excellent video. A new subscriber here.

[@glockstitch]

Having zero motorcycle experience I’m very grateful you do these videos.. my bike is 35 years old and I’m trying to learn how to fix her up when needed. It’s an ‘85 zn700 kawi. Just noticed my headlight went out again. Payed a mechanic 180$ bucks to fix it last time and here we are again. Wish me luck!

[@willthethrill521]

This is just what I needed!!! Thank you thank you thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to make it. I'm doing the electrical on a project bike and got completely unmotivated, but now I'm getting myself a test light and back in the garage!

[@timleblanc3102]

Dude you rock! Wish I could find a mechanic like you for my sportster

[@anthonysharpe1884]

I know this video is 2 years old but the trouble shooting techniques you are teaching seriously have helped with way more than just my headlight issue. Probably missed it already but if u do a live classroom I would be all over it. I subscribed to your channel so I’ll be on the lookout. Thanks for all the help!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Glad to see it still helping 2 years in. 💪🏻💪🏻🤘🏻

[@henryp9600]

@@TheMotorcycleMD 2021 Checking IN, You are great! I enjoy your teaching style. This is better than any school ever. You should def start a school if you have not yet!

[@barcusful]

Brilliant, crystal clear teaching. Thanks

[@norcal8718]

Dude I can honestly say that you are the best teacher I've ever seen teach something 🤓 You explain things so they are extremely understandable and presented so we get it. Although I already know all this shit because I am a mechanic 🔧 but still you make it make sense 👍🏻 Thank you for your time it is much appreciated. I'm going to subscribe and thumbs up and all that shit for ya 🤘🏻😎🤟🏻

[@TherealBigJohnSt33l]

Facts, just saw the connector vid. Man I couldn’t figure out how or, where to start. His tricks for helping has been outstanding

[@tobeychow5032]

I love you. I have no power in my nighthawk cb750 after installing aftermarket turn signals and now I feel confident in testing it

[@michaelciocci8929]

I am having a wiring issue on my Harley. Your video was my first stop. It just so happens I am having a passing light power issue. I like the way you explained and broke it down. I learned a lot. Electrical is not my thing. Thanks to you I’m going to dive into this project. Tks for sharing

[@toddcott9510]

Ok it's got to be the paper clip ! Wiring is an important part of automotive work and probably the most unpopular job. Thank for tackling the subject. Best from Scotland.

[@Ride.on.709]

I'm going with that too lol

[@craigwhite7428]

Cody you are a genius. Thank God for you. I got a Honda project scooter that needed everything. One of the last things that I tackled was my non operational headlight. I checked the bulb by running 12 directly to it, bulb ok I checked the power to the bulb, nada. I cleaned the high low beam switch, still nothing. Then I found your video. I wiggled the starter switch and the headlight came on. The starter switch is not returning to original position causing power to be interrupted to the headlight during engine startup. Thank you once again.

[@Skylar.J.Martin]

Thank you brother! My bike (1990 Vulcan 88) has this same exact problem and I have been trying to figure it out. Could never find anything until now! Super helpful!

[@drjohnworldpeace625]

Working on a 86 Honda Shadow VT 700 problems with replacing front blinkers. You covered some marginal things that allowed me to fix the problem. I had the new blinkers connected wrong. After everything looked right it would not start. Walked away from it. Came back and just pushed on all the circuits to make sure they were seated. They weren't. Now I am back on the road again. Thanks.

[@PaydayGabeBCNV]

3+years old but 💯 relevant. The 12v tester lamp is worth every penny. Great job Cody. 👏👏👏. Cheers 🍻, G.

[@leoshow-2-diy.442]

Thank you exactly what I was looking for. Great help. Very good instructions.

[@Nceb]

Thanks for this video. I have no electrical experience and electrical wiring have always seemed daunting to me. After watching this, I was able to follow everything the diagram and your explanation.

[@vernboulet1015]

Good job - explained in laymans terms. Building a (vintage VW powered) trike with a Honda front end and want to keep handle bar controls - this was a big help.

[@brianmerriman8252]

Thank you for this video - I’m a wiring newb and this vid helped me sort through some taillight issues on my Bonnie. I feel like I have a much better understanding of my bike now.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

That is super encouraging to hear Brian!

[@robertshawn8270]

@@TheMotorcycleMD show me were to run ground in tail light hows it hook up

[@bevennmac2195]

Informative and somehow humorous I like it! Keep it up guru!!

[@beaudex7989]

This is a very welldone video! exteremely informative and well edited. My compliments - as a video guy myself I can see the effort you put into to adding the info you missed. THANK YOU

[@kevinhinse]

Man I just solved my problem and learned a few things along the way!!

[@Dirtdart458]

First video I have watched of yours and gotta say brilliant content will definitely be watching more and subscribing 👍

[@autoaustin3213]

Hey, Its Austin, Dave's grandson. I just so happen to find this video because my turn signals and horn aren't working lol. Just subscribed though. Great video!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

What up man!! Small world!

[@johnmiddleton726]

Thanks Cody. Gave me incentive!

[@billbraxton7192]

Thanks for this man! I'm having issues with my Headlight / gauges on my Yamaha. Gonna try out some of this knowledge.

[@chrisbarna2661]

24:39 fuck mate, I jumped. This channel is golden!

[@stormtrooperon2wheelz622]

Great job! Really interesting. It gave me a piece of mind.

[@kennymcquinkiss8292]

Thanks for sharing

[@ronxxx-gs7on]

not only do u know alot about motorcycles, your explanation in very good too {our level } and ontop of tha you got humor . good video. thanks

[@swabby2862]

Great Job, I had an old test light in my tool box , no idea where I got it and never used it. Thanks I'm gonna watch one more time and tackle my latest problem. The "BOOM" thing was fricking Hilarious (Scared the crap out of me). I've Just Subscribed and I can't wait to check out some of your other videos. Keep up the good work.

[@gtavtheavengergunnerlegend3340]

200 videos later finally a good explanation...

[@stevemaxein6606]

excellent tutorial, this guy knows his honda poopoo

[@stephenx2857]

this video was excellent. only sad thing, is the obvious, that the color coding info is specific to honda, but was a great... primer for chasing wires, and power/ground ...the BAM towards the end... def was a nice wake up

[@Benji_4]

experience with wiring and knowing how electricity really helps with this. I own a 97 magna and rewired the whole thing with next to know knowledge and took me a week or 2 to work out all of the kinks(turn signals are green and orange but i deleted them) . I just bought an 82 cb that is in pieces and figured the harness in 5 mins.

[@nuclearwinter21]

This video saved me PhP 700 (+/- US$ 14). No need to go to the mechanic. Thanks! 👋🏼

[@cooperman38]

Total respect Sinsei ... What a cracking video Thanks bro

[@raymondwoodring7977]

Hello just wanted to say great video easy to under stand I have to say the mystery things is the white round container on the red cabinet and thanks again for the great video and sharing your time

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+raymond woodring Winner will be announced Monday night 8:30est!

[@pr0ximus]

Great video! I just bought used honda xr650l which doesnt have any turn signals. I don't have any experience with bike electricity, but now I'm confident I can install them myself. Lets see how that goes :)

[@kevinjacksonsr3514]

You ARE A PRO YOU KILLED THIS I HOPE YOU HAVE MORE CUZ I HAVE USSUES WITH MY VROD LOVE LOVE LOVE YOUR TEACHING KILLER KILLER

[@keithbeasley5862]

Thank you!! I think I figured out what happened...FUSE. Going to check now.

[@marlonbrando9279]

Great information, thanks cool dude 🤙

[@devonblank6354]

My bike didn't come with turn signals. I owe you many a beer. Literal life saver

[@deryckhartjr4088]

Fantastic video. Greatly appreciated. I will be sure to follow.

[@adersontorres4351]

Awesome video, I got a lot of information from it. I am putting aftermarket LED and I could not find the power source wire, but with the tips, you gave it should be a breeze now, I hope. Keep up the good work, and the GG was great, that I know I will not forget. Wheels on the road brother. Ride safe.

[@manxmachine7214]

has to be the 15mph speed limit sign hanging up.

[@raulbyrd873]

You are a life saver. Very informative.

[@onebreathoneshot6022]

Great video thanks.

[@clairegarlow6100]

great job nothing boring about learning.....

[@robertmunro4846]

Great video Cody learned a lot am not great with electrics but i enjoyed watching this. Am going to buy a tester cheers mate RAB FROM SCOTLAND 😁😁😁

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+Robert Munro Glad you enjoyed the content man! 🤙🤙

[@joshkidd98]

Wheres dave? Thanks for this video lots of good info

[@donjardon2103]

Thank you, no headlight on 81 Honda 400 CM. It was in the start button area and I sprayed it with contact cleaner and headlight came on and I now have high beam indicator. Blam scared the hell out of me. :)

[@darrinblitch4912]

Thanks for a great video 👍😊

[@garryermoloff1890]

Thanks again, yes that tool is very nice but a little pricey but I can see that will save a lot of time and the video was very helpful. Thanks very much and yeh a class would be cool on electrical! Cheers and Happy Holidays Cody to you and your family!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Thanks man! Yea it is pricey, I put some cheaper options in the description as well! Happy holidays to you and yours!

[@ColinFlowers]

Genuine useful content. Helped me out a lot. Thanks for making this video.

[@johncarlson8029]

Can you please do a video on hyper or too fast flashing or bulb out indicator flashing for led integrated tail light and front led signals please

[@steviepii]

I've got that currently, it's either: Bad power. Bad ground. Bad bulb. It's a fail indication built into the blinker relay. That relay on my bike is $86 and it's made in a way so I can't rip out the circuitboard and see if the internals are broken. So I'm looking at everything I possibly can before that. Could be an open circuit, a corroded contact(which adds resistance) or a bad bulb, which would be easiest to check.

[@tedrubinstein1213]

I have to say of all the videos on KZbin you are the more helpful. I have a 2006 Honda Shadow VT1100 and I have problems locating some things on the bike. I have the repair manual but it doesn't have my bike. I am tring to find where the turn signal relay is and also the coil. I would love to have the owner manual for just my bike. Where can I get it. Thank you for your help.

[@rmack3481]

Cody I have a question?? I'm building a customized e bike. I'm buying motorcycle lights head,tail and turn signals. L.e.d. flasher, the switches that goes on the left side the handlebar. My question is what else do I need??? I can probably wire it up with the help of this video. Then all I will need is a Grin Technology V3 Cycle Analysis dashboard. A second battery a front electric motor. Can you help me with the question. When I make the video I will give you credit for the lighting system. Thank you in advance. R Mack

[@omarchavira9630]

Saludos desde Ciudad de México 🇲🇽... excelentes videos muy claros y de gran utilidad, podrías hacer un video de limpieza de mandos ... mantenimiento preventivo

[@TaqiuddinQureshi]

We did not see wear did u connect the elegoter cable and than test ! Thanks for theory

[@ourlifeinwashington4114]

I got new lights for my bike build and I'm so lost. I got one of those jeep headlights which came with no instructions and I got turn signals which are 3 wire and not led and the came with no instructions. You can see my bike it's on my yt Channel. Thanks for this video, new sub

[@aligreen4441]

I have 2007 honda shadow VT1100 sebre..tried putting after market signal lights and blew something..no horn no signal no brake lights no blown fuse.??? Need help.

[@normenfritzsche5241]

Iam først time on you channel, thanks it was a lot of input (in a good way), and since i have 3 honda shadow vt 1100 from 1986, i Will stay close to youre channel 💪 So thanks for youre video 👌 Greatings Normen from Danmark

[@MrHoot-zp7ud]

Thanks brother, very helpful info.

[@steveboney4937]

Watched the video it was helpful. I've got a 2011 fury that when I bought it they had removed the front blinkers .bought factory blinkers ,but when I tried to install the turn signal wires were missing in the headlight, crazy. Haven't found them yet but your video will help thanks

[@dythkid6857]

Man I can't thank you enough for your videos like this one, I have managed to sort out my headlights problem and got it diagnosed to a bad headlight relay. Now I can't find (if you already made a video of it) how do I diagnosed a problem where my brand new headlight relay that just got fried again after 24hrs.

[@maelstrom200018]

Thanks for sharing and appreciate it but personally think it's way safer to disconnect the power and use a the probes to check for continuity instead to avoid any issues.

[@GaryVaLeu]

I have a Suzuki 1500 intruder the blinkers are confused when I push for right or left they operate in hazard, I replaced the blinker switch and they worked a Lillie but reverted back to the hazard mode the blinker switch does work it cancels and the direction I turn on seems brighter

[@phlipphillip]

Thanks TheMotorcycleMD

[@irishrider7324]

Awesome video!!!! Love all em! Great information!!!

[@jklcksmth1991bo]

How do I find which wire is my parking brake light? And how do I find the wire to my hand brake? My foot brake works just fine. I've already changed signal relay, replace bulb and my fuses are fine

[@themadddtrucker3426]

Great vid!! I like the " True Stories" reference....(just a circle.... no edges). Talking Heads is the chit! That and i leant how to fix the HEADlight on my vtx 1300... a wi. Win!!!

[@matthewnorton4529]

So if your headlight and turn signals stop working the switch could just be bad is there possibly just cleaning contact point

[@Ketzukin]

So did you end up replacing the starter switch or did you repair it?

[@bevennmac2195]

Stupid question. Can I still use my multimeter instead of test light?

[@01avaline]

top man, thank you.

[@jamiestanley8774]

this is exactly what im dealing with atm . got everything going except main beam . its 2.20am in Newzealand. brain wont turn off . was the item the hairclip ,? cheers.

[@jamiestanley8774]

Ps was the item that white (I thort coil of rope) behind you.

[@kristianwestfall4726]

Great video! Q: the turn lights on my kawasaki z650 (1978) statet blinking all at once, and I cant figure out the error. Do you have an answer?? Best, Kristian

[@TennRides]

Good video, very helpful.

[@mikekovacs8981]

I like your paper clip but I bet it would be even more awesome with some shrink wrap over most of it to prevent accidental grounding :)

[@leonardthomson5867]

thanks mate.

[@ronniec8038]

Good stuff as usual Cody. Thanks man.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+lilevil 1955 🤙🤙

[@ronniec8038]

But where is Dave?

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+lilevil 1955 Who’s knows?!

[@TheJohnnyA1]

Cody, thank you for these awesome videos on Honda wiring. Learning not to be afraid of troubleshooting issues with my 2009 VTX 1300R by following your instruction. Now I will try to figure out why I have no high Beams!

[@neilh5638]

Good video, thanks!

[@paulos.araujo3873]

Hi there I have trouble to reconnect turn signals in a vz 800 marauder 1998 ..all parts are out including head light just wires on sight..and my problem is once I turn right or left buttons always pick signal flash in 2 wires ..so I cannot find a way to split left or right side to finish and connect the turn signals.......

[@lc1435]

Pure gold! Thanks

[@maxv77]

My rear light won't work with the front brake lever? I can hear the relay clicking but no light. Any ideas?

[@austinandrews1006]

I got an 05 honda shadow I just picked up a week ago and I am about to have to install and wire the brake lights, tail lights, blinkers, new head lights... and I am a bundle of nerves right now because up to this point in my life, I've never done any mechanical or electrical work in my life.

[@lmdetect]

MCMD that appeared over the license plate of the bike on the rack? In the beginning of the vid you did not cover the plate. Watched it 3 times and that's​ the best I could come up with. lol

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

+lmdetect Winner will be announced Monday night 8:30est!

[@vro99k42]

Hey man I change the turning light on the from of my heritage the light blinks but doesn’t stay on can you help me out

[@WILLY52368]

I own a 2014 XR650L , would like to rewire my blinkers front and rear. At the moment I have LED's on the front but those 3-wire type better, in the rear I have brake/blinker/license all-in-one light and its LED too. But my wiring needs to be redone, its been splice so many times I need to isolate those wire and route them correctly with the right connecters or solder. I looked at the wiring diagram but the more I try to understand it the more confused I get. Why haven't I heard of those 3-wire blinkers and do they come in LED?

[@tomvband]

So when its all hooked up,.....flip the right or left signal switch and they all blink sorta,.......and the headlight turns on all the blinks although they don't blink.,,,,,,,,,,,

[@jklcksmth1991bo]

Can my relay be bad and cause only one light not to blink? I've swapped out bulbs and I still can't get my right rear turn signal to come on at all. Help plz

[@bradcunningham9611]

You are the man Cody. Thanks for the great content. 83 cb650sc front signals.....orange and green into orange and green?...light blue and green into light blue and green? (no running lights for now dont worry about that) and the dark blue into dark blue? I think its the relay but want to make sure ive got them wired correctly.

[@viffer1509]

Great video thank you - makes things seem do-able for us when so well explained

[@lucifermorningstar8541]

Hi great video , I want to ask you , when I turn on my key on my 73 honda cb450 I got nothing no lights and no horn no nothing . can you tell me what it could be? thanks

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

I wish I was that good... testing is required my friend. I would start at the fuses then the ignition switch itself

[@maxsleight]

Most likely fuses

[@tek5358]

Check the parts of the wiring harness that touch the frame, sometimes with a vehicle that old the wiring can rub through, or crack and short or corrode, look for exposed wire, or crud from corrosion, if you don't see any of that, try checking continuity on the key switch, hope that helps to give you a place to start looking

[@Thisfutureman]

@@TheMotorcycleMD hello cody , i just bought a husqvarna 701 sm and after 110km it shutted down 3 times in the last 10 kilometers while just cruisin , now i sended back to the shop and they said after hooking the bike up for electrical issues that they didnt see anything wrong with it ,so what could be wrong than ?

[@bunkey3972]

Cody, nothing on my bike turns me on any more. I've tested. Suggestions?

[@erichendrickson4527]

Can you do a video on the oil pressure sensor and it’s wiring? I can’t seem to find the wiring anywhere just the bolt. Also have no idea how to wire that through the crank cover?

[@jessiverg130]

yes bro, thank you. I have a vt750c2 just installed aftermarket led taillight and my license plate light stopped working it was working; it was working before when I had just tied them together and wrapped them with electrical tape but now its not working that I soldered the two wires. I will try this later see what I can find out. I was thinking its strange that all my other lights are working fine, my brake light and running light, its just my license plate light that isn't working.

[@elisandrotrevino2586]

Great video!

[@anthonycurtis4422]

I saw Mcmd during 2:20 seconds of the video near the license plate of the orange thing

[@rwesley9930]

Great content on your channel!!