Flasher Relay Did...Oh Crap...Didn't Do The Trick

[My Name Is Dave]

OK, here's the scoop. I have the LEDs up front and integrator in the rear. My signals are flashing too fast and aren't fully illuminating. I went to Schucks and got Buss 552 Two Prong Flasher. Put that in, and now when I hit left turn on the switch, the left signals ONLY stay on (I have read about people having all 4 turn on, and this is not that problem). So no flashing, just constant illumination in the signals that I select to turn on.

Well, now I need the next step. I read a thread and someone recommended this trick where you cut the signal wires going to the signal indicator light on the dash and create a constant ground with one of the wires and the stick a diode on each of the signal wires and then hook them up to the remaining wire off the signal adapter. I can't remember where this diagram was, so I probably sound a little crazy.

Does anyone have any idea how to fix this? Am I right with that diode fix, or is something else needed?

Thanks amigos,

Dave  

[Kerry]

Check routeinfo's post in this thread.

[My Name Is Dave]

Kerry, thanks; call me Rick Ocasik because that is just what I needed.

Here's the link he sent me to:

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

OK, I got ahead of myself up there. I was referring to the schematic earlier, and I needed the link. However, now I'm wondering if that is indeed the fix I need here.

If so, where is the best place to attach that ground wire? I am fine with doing this sort of project, but I am just unsure of where to ground that.

Right now my signals are screwy and I have to ride home from my mom's house, so I'll probably just unhook the wire until tomorrow.

Thanks guys (and gals),

Dave  

[aaronstj]

Kerry, thanks; call me Rick Ocasik because that is just what I needed.

Haha.  +1  

[Kerry]

Kerry, thanks; call me Rick Ocasik because that is just what I needed.

Haha.  +1  

"Shake it up!"

I don't know if the wiring in the headlight bucket has changed a lot since the '01 model ... but you might consider using the available extra ground wire that should be in there.  For its location on the earlier models, see the 5th row in the step-by-step table on this page.

"Hey you hosers!  Take off!" :lol:

[My Name Is Dave]

Okey dokey. I had to manually flash them on the way back from mom's house. I went outside and looked at where the wires hook up to the indicator light, and I saw nowhere to unplug it until I get the diodes. It looks like the wires go up into the gauge bucket rather than just hooking up below it at a point where I could just pull it off.

Not to make anyone go hunting for me, but is there a page that anyone knows of off-hand that shows me how to access those wires in such a manner that

A) I can see what I'm doing and I have enough room
and
B) can cut them with enough accuracy to have room in case I ever need to return to stock wiring?

What I'm saying is taht just reaching under and cutting the wires is not practical, assuming there is another way to do  it.

Guys...I swear: I'd look, but I have to go to WinCo for some moderately-priced fruits and vegetables. I'll be back in an hour  :lol:

Dave  

[My Name Is Dave]

Did I even pull the right part?



It says

Guilera

Electronic Flasher
12V 21+21+3, 4W
012340S
38610-01D10

Dave  

[starwalt]

... I can't remember where this diagram was, so I probably sound a little crazy...

Here is my simplifed turn signal schematic


LEDs are directional to electricity, like a check valve is to fluids. The problem you have created with this mixed system is that the TSR (turn signal relay) is load dependent. That means the amount of electricity (current, amperage) affects the operation of the TSR.

To address your question about the turn signal indicator below the "clocks" (I love that Euro speak!), the stock circuit uses the unused set of signal lamps to provide the indicator lamp a connection to the negative side of the battery. The unused lamps actually have electricity flowing through them, just not enough to make them light up! This is why modifications sometimes cause all four lamps to illuminate. LEDs require less current to light up than filament lamps.

So at this point, I can not tell you how to fix this. You could just pull the indicator bulb out, but I think the flash rate will also be affected because of the load sensitivity of the TSR.

Print out my simplified drawing and try to pencil in the LED connections you have. I have to take a trip out of town right now (Tues Morn) and will be back late this afternoon.

[My Name Is Dave]

You want me to pencil in the LED connections I have? I am unsure of what you mean. I used the stock wires.  :dunno:

Dave  

[My Name Is Dave]

You know what I may do? I may try a pair of flush-mount bulbs rather than LEDs. The LEDs look sweet, but it may not be worth the pain. I have already cut the wires, but I'm sure I can sell them on eBay for close to $20.

I have some Lockhart Phillips flush-mounts with the forward-facing lens, which should be pretty visible. And it may fix my problem. Or not...I dunno.

The only thing with the LPs is that they mount with double-sided sticky foam. So it's like a gasket, as well as the adhesive. Anyone have any experience with these? I'm curious how well they well hold.

Let me search for them...

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=5198&gift=False&mscssid=93940526E8E44F1AB32C868E961A9E13

I actually did a little reading, and it looks like a lot of sportbike riders use them. May not be a bad idea to at least try.

Dave  

[starwalt]

You know what I may do? I may try a pair of flush-mount bulbs rather than LEDs...

:kiss:

Great idea! I have contemplated making a real "How To" for doing the LED mod. Since my bike is naked, I don't have the body work to deal with. There is a definite interest in doing this. I think most people interested in making a mod can follow good instructions.The problems show up when the little gotcha's of different technologies appear.

My previous suggestion regarding sketching in the LEDs on the schematic was to provide an approximate indication of where you connected to the circuit. What you connected where is also vital when it comes to LEDs.

It is a shame that I don't have an 04+ to tinker with.  

[My Name Is Dave]

I just had to throw in the towel. Here's how it went.

So I got home, and I was pretty excited to get this fixed. So I tried keeping on the LEDs and trying the stock relay again. Same thing; the blinkers worked correctly, except they were much too fast.

OK, back to aftermarket relay. Now, I try the flush-mounts I have. Signals still not flashing. So swap back to stock relay, success! Signals flash at proper rate. Press brake and they speed up, which is due to rear integrator, and I expected that. But wait...oh hell, these things don't even fit on the stock mounting position. Damn!

Well, back to stock I suppose. So I go back in, crimp the stock connectors back to the stock signals, go out to put back on. I get them in the holes and get the black nylon washers over the wires, and then the damned nut won't fit over because of the plastic connectors hlding the wires together. DAMN THIS CRAP!

Yeah, time to solder. I am no pro, but long story short: 30 minutes, all wires were strongly together and I got the stuff installed. So back to stockers for now.

Well, this morning I went out to ride to work and...DEAD BATTERY! So I got to drive my Monte to work in full gear! A note about the battery: I did a lot of turning the key on and testing the signals, but did not run the motor during the testing phase. But at 6:30, I let it idle and warm up because I thought I could make it in time to where I had to go. I realized I couldn't, so I shut it off and put it away. I'm attributing the dead battery  to those things.

Tonight I'm gonna jump it. So I just hook the terminals to the car and the bike, with the car off, and start the bike, right? A guy at work suggested I bump start it, but I'm worried that I'll drop it.

So now I'm on the hunt for flush-mounts that will actually fit with no drilling of the fairings. Suggestions are welcome, and I'll be utilizing the Search function (look how many posts I have; if I hadn't learned by now, I'd want you all to boot me from the forum   )

Dave