GS500F turning signal problems

[Vlad]

Hello all, I'm new here and got into a trouble with my turning signals, I've had 4 rear aftermarket LED signal lights which worked fine until I installed the 2 front LED. Now the green bulb on the dash is not working, the signals only engage when the bike is running although only the front working right, the rear are flashing all together. when the bike is off nothing happens.

After my research i figured it the flasher relay so i went and bought EL12 from NAPA and its even worse with the rear softly flashing all together and the front not working at all.
What can i be missing? Thanks a lot in advance!

The bike is 08' GS500F.

[W201028]

Led signals confuse the relay. Its designed to flash fast when one or more bulbs is dead; the relay makes this decision based on total resistance in the turn signal circuit. Leds are very efficient, making the flasher relay think that bulbs are not working. Im surprised you didnt notice them flashing faster with just two led, and two incandescent.
Search for led turn signal info on these forums, lots of guys have done it. You just need a resister or two in the circuit somewhere. Im sure theres a ton of info on this site regarding leds

[Rallyfan]

Here's my question: if one uses a resistor, doesn't that negate the current-saving advantages of LED bulbs? If so, isn't it better to switch to an electronic flasher instead?

[W201028]

Hmm.. you make a good point rallyfan. I would suspect that by bringing the resistance back to stock would negate any savings. I personally never looked to led turns to save a few amps, on account of how little they are used in normal riding. Led turns are just offered in so many cooler looking styles.

I wonder if an electronic blinker would be any better either, as the transistors/board would likely use more volts than an oldschool relay. It would be interesting to hear the verdict on both these configurations from an experienced electrician...

[Rallyfan]

I think the greatest current savings are to be found in the headlamp and the two 21W tails. For the headlamps there is a recent discussion on an LED; for the tails, there have been LED 1157 discussions but if I'm honest, the mixed reviews and cost have combined to keep me away. I'd love BRIGHT!!! tails with a good license plate illumination solution and EVEN BRIGHTER!!!! brakes, for low cost and low current draw but it's not (yet?) realistic to have all that in that combination.

[W201028]

I am very happy with my led tail light, I bought it from a german ebay page, and waited weeks to get it. Good quality lens, although the unseen "chrome" plastic housing which sits inside the tail looks like typical chinese work. Been riding it  for about two years/10k now, no problems. I personally went for led because I wanted modulation, since leds can strobe much faster than incandescents.
I also run blue led bulbs in the gages and front running light, mostly for looks, but all the amps add up. I didnt have starting problems last winter that I have in the past, so perhaps it was all worth a bit.

[Supa]

I just rigged my lights in the worst possible way, but it works for me so I don't care 

Added two new front LED signals (Ebay specials baby... $5 each), no problem. Indicator was a bit quick, but not quite "burnt out bulb" quick.

Later, I swapped out my tail light for a smoked integrated tailight (Ebay again, $40 this time though). I tried wiring it in every way possible, but still had the same problem. Either the left indicator would work and the right wouldn't, or right would work and left wouldn't. Then after connecting them straight up, both sides would flash no matter how I indicated. It was a pain. So I reconnected my old rear indicators (left the new tail light), then connected the integrated turn indicator wires to the existing lights and it worked. But I couldn't leave those huge indicators sticking out the back, so I disassembled as much as I could, wrapped them all up in electrical tape, and stuffed them into the the sides of the rear fairing. Now I have front LED indicators that are flush mount and look pretty decent, a smoked rear LED tail light with integrated turn signals that looks awesome, and two rear indicators hidden inside my fairings. Still a bit quick on the speed of the indicators, but only slightly more than usual.