LED turn signal problem

[1034am]

Weird issue: installed 4-led turn signals & flasher, and dash indicator only picks up one side. Both sides flash, and I changed the flasher speed, but on the dash indicator I only get a light from one side.
Thoughts on what to look at?
Thx.

[Janx101]

You either need a led flasher can. .. or search the forum for 'diode mod' ...

Happens every time someone does led indicators....

[Janx101]

Wait. ..  I'm tired and just re read the question.... woops

Loose wire from the tell tale to the side that doesnt light it up?

[jdoorn14]

Wait. ..  I'm tired and just re read the question.... woops

Loose wire from the tell tale to the side that doesnt light it up?

Janx, I think you're more tired than you realize. Your initial suspicion was likely correct.

I read the post to say that OP installed both LED turn signals and LED turn signal indicator. The original incandescent bulb allows either positive or negative current flow to activate the indicator bulb. Unless OP managed to accidentally install an unpolarized LED (not easily found), he needs the "diode mod" to allow the LED to light for either left or right turn signal flashing.

[1034am]

Ok, so I need to look for loose wires and check polarity of installed bulbs.
Could explain why dash light only picks up one side.
Thx.

[jdoorn14]

Ok, so I need to look for loose wires and check polarity of installed bulbs.
Could explain why dash light only picks up one side.
Thx.

LEDs are polarized. Electrical current only flows one way. The turn signals are on a circuit that uses polarity to determine which side to blink. Positive current turns on right, negative current turns on left, for example. If I'm reading your original post correctly, you replaced the dash indicator with an LED in addition to the LED turn signals themselves. Yes? No? The OE incandescent bulb blinks regardless which side is on. A polarized LED will not because current cannot flow backward in a polarized LED.

Take a look at one of these threads:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=60035.0

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=67276.msg810091#msg810091

[1034am]

Good info! I'll try the original incandescent bulb and see what happens.

[Janx101]

Hmm ok, I thought the first post 'flasher' meant an led flasher can. . When I re read it

[1034am]

Ok, tried the original bulb & no change. Then I tried unplugging and reversing some of the turn-lights & they seem to be installed right. Maybe I'll try and jump it w/a direct line. (I never imagined how important that indicator light is!)
On a related note, can anyone recommend a good 12v source for a gps? Figure since I have the headlight apart, might fun to knock out another project (I have the hard-wire adapter.)
Thx.

[jdoorn14]

Yeah, you're probably going to have to tear into the wiring harness and add the diodes described in some of the links above. It seems like this is necessary regardless whether it's just the indicator that's changed or if the actual signals are changed.

And all that said, where are the pics of your bike with the new turn signals?? 

[1034am]

Pics coming soon! I disconnctd the dash light & the turn signals work great, so I'll try the diode trick & see if it works. Running the gps off the speedo light: so far, so good.
It's nice having a low profile-field of vision...