LED Turn Signals: They all blink

[Eklipse]

Well I put new signals on my bike, i got some LED turn signals from CycleGear.

When the bike is off and I turn the signal on, they all glow faintly. When I start the bike, they all blink, but only three of the like seven bulbs light up.

All my wiring is correct but I was just in a crash so it's possible that the turn signal switch was damaged.

Do I need to install a new relay? Where can I get one? Could that be why they are all blinking (but they only blink when the bike is running)?  :dunno:

[JamesG]

Not only do you have a short somewhere, it is grounding out too (why the lights are on). Fix it soon otherwise your battery is a gonner.

[The Antibody]

You got me. Try and put your old ones back on and see if the problem persists. If so, then it's your switch, if not, it's your signals. Thats all I have.

 -Anti

[John Bates]

When the bike is off and I turn the signal on, they all glow faintly. When I start the bike, they all blink, but ...........

Do you mean that all four turn signals glow or blink, or just the left or right pairs glow or blink?

[Macheti]

just found this website out of desperation, I have the same problem. Installed four led's as turn signal wired exactly like the stockies and all four light up whenever the turn signal is engaged in either direction, click left-all come on, click right-all come on. I've tried different grounding techniques, traced the wires all over and came up with nothing....please help!!!!!!

[indestructibleman]

it's my understanding that if you want LEDs to blink, you need a special flasher module or somethin'.

[dgyver]

May need to install a variable load electronic flasher. Tridon EL-12 (2 prong) or a EL-13 (3 prong). Easily found at most auto parts stores for around $8. Not sure which one the GS takes but it is probably the EL-12 like the TLR.

[treybrad]

A lot of those LED bulbs have different resistances than normal bulbs. Unfortunately that's how the flasher module works... so when you start messing around the the resistance of the whole circuit you get strange things happening. Like right now my bike has no front turn signals but the back ones are original. However, b/c the front ones are gone, the back ones don't work either... but they should fire right up when I get the front ones back on there (i hope..).

trey

[Macheti]

Okay, I have the el-12 variable load flasher module as suggested. Now I can't find where it goes. Anybody?

[John Bates]

From just looking at the schematic for the turn signals, it looks like there are two problems when substituting with leds.

1. The resistance of the bulbs/leds determines the flash rate. Since incandescent bulbs have a different resistance than leds, the flash rates will differ.

The el-12 variable load flasher may fix this.

 

2. All four turn signals can carry current at the same time because the ground for the indicator lamp is through the other set of turn signal bulbs. (If you have the left turn signal switch on, then the ground for the indicator lamp is through the right turn signal bulbs.) The current through the indicator lamp is to low to light the normal turn signal bulbs, but enough to light the leds.

The el-12 variable load flasher won't fix this.  Offhand I don't see an easy fix.

[TR]

2. All four turn signals can carry current at the same time because the ground for the indicator lamp is through the other set of turn signal bulbs. (If you have the left turn signal switch on, then the ground for the indicator lamp is through the right turn signal bulbs.) The current through the indicator lamp is to low to light the normal turn signal bulbs, but enough to light the leds.

The el-12 variable load flasher won't fix this.  Offhand I don't see an easy fix.

I read this, and found a way to fix it but's not an easy one, cancel the indicator lamp circuit and simply add 2 independent parallel indicator circuits, then mount 2 leds on left and right side below tach and speedo and VOILA, now you can see which side is blinking instead of monitoring the turn signals, which is very hard at noon.

Hope it helps...

[routeinfo]

Common problem. Here is a fix.

http://www.customdynamics.com/load_equalizer_diodes.htm

[John Bates]

Common problem. Here is a fix.

http://www.customdynamics.com/load_equalizer_diodes.htm

Rewire the indicator bulb with a couple of diodes and direct ground, looks like a good fix thanks to routeinfo for the solution.

[tt_four]

heather got a set of mirrors that just have the turn signals in the backs of the mirrors, so i put them on, turned on the turn signals, and that side of the lights just stay on, it's a 91, so while the newer bikes flash faster, hers just stay on, otherwise i woulnd't even worry about it, but the dumb thing is, the mirrors aren't LEDs, they're light bulbs, whoever made them was just too dumb to take the time and see what kinda light bulb acctually needed to go in there for normal resistance, so i don't know,

[Macheti]

Thankyou so much everyone that helped, the diodes work perfect and for 60 cents. That was so simple now to slow down the flashing I installed 2 of the aforementioned el-12's instead of the original flasher modules and it works perfect. so for anyone who wants to try it all it takes is 4 LED's from walmart, diodes, flasher modules, and creativity, once again thanx guys.



Macheti Eddy Main '98 GS500e

[Rema1000]

When the bike is off and I turn the signal on, they all glow faintly. When I start the bike, they all blink, but only three of the like seven bulbs light up.

Well, it looks like the "glow faintly" problem is caused by 1970's-era wiring assumptions (using the unused bulbs as ground, ick!).  But there should be no power to any of the lights when the key is in the Off position.  When you said "bike is off", did you mean key in off position, or that the key is On, but the engine isn't running?

If the latter, then that would make sense.

[1998_GS500]

Speaking of LED turn signals, has anyone removed the turn signals all together and just used one of thses?

http://www.customdynamics.com/integrator_kit.htm


It seems like it should work on the GS......


Chris

[gs500rider]

Where to do you install the EL-12?  I'm a little confused?  Please HELP!

[John Bates]

Where to do you install the EL-12?  I'm a little confused?  Please HELP!

In place of the turn signal (TS) relay.

The TS relay is located on the right side just in front of the large heat sink.
It has orange and light blue wires connected to it.

Take the seat off and look in the space between the upper frame and plastic side panel, about 5 inches behind the battery.

You'll have to take the plastic side panel off to actually get to it.

[gs500rider]

thank you! I'll do that tomorrow.  I'll buy my parts tomorrow