Very strange electrical problem

This is on the level. I noticed when I turned the ignition on on my '02
Bandit last weekend, the rear brake lights came on.

After a short spell, they start flashing slowly on and off. It continues
after starting it up.

I unplugged the brake light switches and it keeps doing it, the usuall tail
lights which are supposed to be on, ain't.

I had a good look at the schematic, no obvious theories I could come up
with. And I haven't been mucking with the wiring lately.

The only thing I can think of is maybe there is a shot diode someplace.

This weekend I'm going to spend some time on it, I have an attack plan, but
I'd rather be riding the thing.

Any theories which might save me some time? I don't think this is normal
behavior.

Thanks

Pete

 

The bulbs are a candidate, I replaced both of them a while back. I couldn't
find the exact same thing, so I went thru the blister packs at the store and
got a pair with the same base but the wattages were different.

I'm thinking it also must have something to do with the flasher unit causing
them to blink, it's mabe not getting the current it expects to flash at turn
signal speed.

I'm keen on the faulty diode theory, somehow allowing them to ground or
whatever thru it. The schematic probably doesn't show them all.

Something else I though of, there may be something screwy in the ignition
switch. I've never used it, but apparently there is a position CCW to the
stearing lock position which is an emergency flasher thingy.

If I figure it out I'll post what it was, in the rather unlikely chance it
happens to someone else here! )

P.

 

The problem might be inside the ignition switch itself. The tail light
ordinarily runs off a separate set of contacts than the ignition uses
so the tail light can be used as a parking light. That's required for
overnight parking in Japan.

But the brake lights and turn signals would get their power through the
same contact.

 

I don't. But the Japanese riders have to leave their parking lights on
all night or park off the street. Japanese home market models will have
a small parking light on the front, too.

All export models probably have the wiring for the front parking light
and may have a cover over a hole in the fairing where the parking light
would go.

And, since Japanese home models would need parking lights, there's a
separate tail light contact in the ignition switch as well as a parking
light contact. That way you have a tail light when the ignition switch
is in the ON position or in the PARK position.

 

I don't. But the Japanese riders have to leave their parking lights on
all night or park off the street. Japanese home market models will have
a small parking light on the front, too.

All export models probably have the wiring for the front parking light
and may have a cover over a hole in the fairing where the parking light
would go.

And, since Japanese home models would need parking lights, there's a
separate tail light contact in the ignition switch as well as a parking
light contact. That way you have a tail light when the ignition switch
is in the ON position or in the PARK position.

 

I don't. But the Japanese riders have to leave their parking lights on
all night or park off the street. Japanese home market models will have
a small parking light on the front, too.

All export models probably have the wiring for the front parking light
and may have a cover over a hole in the fairing where the parking light
would go.

And, since Japanese home models would need parking lights, there's a
separate tail light contact in the ignition switch as well as a parking
light contact. That way you have a tail light when the ignition switch
is in the ON position or in the PARK position.