GN125 electric problems

[IanIJB]

Hi guys,

My girlfriend has a 2000 Suzuki GN125 and has some electric problems with it. I myself am pretty good with the mechanical side of things but electrics are a bit of a stranger and wondered if I could get some input from you.

The ignition barrel has 3 positions Off, On and Park. If you turn the key from off to on, the bike will start but the lights (tail, brake, headlight) work intermittently. But if you turn the key from Park to On, the bike once again starts fine and all the lights work perfectly. So she has still been able to ride it from doing that. I was wondering if it was a bad earth problem but as all the lights work fine from Park to On I am a bit stumped.

A new problem has now arisen and whether or not you use Off to On, or Park to On, when you use the indicators the indicator lights come on (both front and back left, or front and back right depending on the way the switch is pushed) and do not flash. I don't know if this is a separate problem (turn signal relay?) or a new symptom of the first.

The ignition barrel wiring and a lot of other wiring seem to feed into the rear of the headlight cowling through a rubber grommet and before I start having a look in there I hoped I could get some pointers on where to start. Her MOT is due in a couple of months and would be nice to save a bit of cash doing the repairs. I thought the best way to go would be to get a new ignition barrel and turn signal relay (£25 for the pair off fleabay) and that might sort it. Thanks in advance.