Standard LED turn signal swap gone wrong - SOLVED

[the_63]

Hey guys, I need some help  So it turns out that when I am trying to figure out electrical based stuff, I am far too stupid to understand or learn. I decided that while Sookie wasn't starting I'd break her down a bit and perform a little cosmetic surgery. A little while back I replaced one of the turn signal bulbs after it blew and that caused hyperflash. The old tr=urn signals were quite worn in so 'i decided to replace them, and the LED stuff seemed cheap and cheerful 

I bought a new battery and fitted that. Turns out that was shy the bike wouldn't start, the old cell was battered. I fitted the new turn signals and this is the result:

Back:

Front:
]
Dash:

It doesn't look like it but the dash LED is on but it was extremely feint. I  bypassed the flasher relay and achieved the same results, so the issue doesn't lie with that component. I found a thread in which 2 diodes were installed into the circuit at the front of the bike but I can determine whether the information in that thread is relevant to me. There are so many fixes, but I don't understand what is being said. 

I have been reading threads and study material for three days now and I'm just going round and round in circles 

Please help

[Big Rich]

Pull the indicator bulb out of the dash and check the signals again. If they work fine without the indicator bulb, then you'll need to wire in some diodes.

[the_63]

10 4 Big Rich. I will follow your advice when I have day light.

I appreciate your input on this 

[ShowBizWolf]

When I read your post I thought of this semi-recent thread that might be of help... dunno if you've seen it yet but here it is:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71143.0

I've seen sooooo many threads on LED signal issue but this one... well... the title is "All LED Success" so woot toot !!

[Mr. BIGGZ]

When I read your post I thought of this semi-recent thread that might be of help... dunno if you've seen it yet but here it is:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=71143.0

I've seen sooooo many threads on LED signal issue but this one... well... the title is "All LED Success" so woot toot !!

Solving LED issues can be very stressful. Follow the steps in my threads, that Showbiz generously provided and you'll solve your issue. I spent months researching and weeks trying to figure it out. I had the same problem you're experiencing when I first connected all 4 LEDs. Gregjet and Mr72 told me to use two indicators and it solved my problem.

Get an electronic flasher, convert your dash indicator into two separate indicators and your golden.

[the_63]

Ok, so Big Rich, I pulled the turn signal warning bulb and and each side will now illuminate independently but they don't flash.

When I read your post I thought of this semi-recent thread that might be of help... dunno if you've seen it yet but here it is:

I did see that thread, but there isn't much instruction in there.

Solving LED issues can be very stressful. Follow the steps in my threads, that Showbiz generously provided and you'll solve your issue. I spent months researching and weeks trying to figure it out. I had the same problem you're experiencing when I first connected all 4 LEDs. Gregjet and Mr72 told me to use two indicators and it solved my problem.

Get an electronic flasher, convert your dash indicator into two separate indicators and your golden.

Would this do the job? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-2-Pin-12V-Electronic-LED-Turn-Indicator-Light-Flasher-Blinker-Relay-/231958478665?hash=item3601cd7f49:g:9rMAAOSwFqJWoYgG
Also how did you get an led into the dash?

Thanks you for your input y'all

[mr72]

I found a thread in which 2 diodes were installed into the circuit at the front of the bike but I can determine whether the information in that thread is relevant to me. There are so many fixes, but I don't understand what is being said.

Go find that thread again. You want the post where the late, great adidasguy posted a schematic with "cut here" and diodes in it. Do that mod. You will need to basically cut the connector going to the dash indicator and put two diodes in series with one terminal and the other terminal splices to an adjacent ground wire.

I won't bother getting into the reason why you have to do this. But you will get all 4 signals flashing unless you do this.

Ok, so Big Rich, I pulled the turn signal warning bulb and and each side will now illuminate independently but they don't flash.

You will need a different turn signal relay, one made for LEDs.

Get an electronic flasher, convert your dash indicator into two separate indicators and your golden.

Would this do the job? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-2-Pin-12V-Electronic-LED-Turn-Indicator-Light-Flasher-Blinker-Relay-/231958478665?hash=item3601cd7f49:g:9rMAAOSwFqJWoYgG

Yes, that will work (in theory, assuming it works as advertised), but you may have to be creative with the connector. It's not going to "just plug in". Most likely you will have to cut the connector off and crimp on a few male 1/4" quick-connects so you can get it to mate with the original signal flasher wiring.

Also how did you get an led into the dash?

Not to contradict Mr. BIGGZ but I think the two-LEDs solution is the most difficult to do. You can keep your current indicator bulb and put in two diodes (not LEDs!) like the adidasguy "diode mod" method and it will work. Then if you decide later you want to switch all of your dash indicators to LEDs, you can just swap bulbs and you won't have to worry with cramming two LEDs in the dash for the turn signals, since the wiring itself will have been modified to work correctly no matter what kind of bulbs or turn signals you have.

Replace the turn signal flasher with one made for LEDs and do the diode mod, then you'll be in business.

[the_63]

Ok, 2 x 1N4001 diodes in my possession.

Question, will these get hot and is it a bad idea to heatshrink them?

Having to pump the brakes though until the stupid flasher relay arrives. I hate that things don't get done because it's the weekend. 

[mr72]

the diodes will not get hot enough to worry about. I used heat shrink on mine.

[the_63]

the diodes will not get hot enough to worry about. I used heat shrink on mine.

Good to know. thanks 

[the_63]

My flasher relay came this morning, so I now have working turn signals again 

Thank you everyone for your input and advice    Couldn't have done it without you!! Literally

[ShowBizWolf]

Hooray!!! You should edit the title of your thread and have it say "solved!!" at the end! 

[the_63]

Hooray!!! You should edit the title of your thread and have it say "solved!!" at the end! 

I think you're right, I've done a write up which I was considering posting seeing as how a lot of the fix threads are missing pictures etc. I think it might be a little long winded though...

[rscottlow]

Hooray!!! You should edit the title of your thread and have it say "solved!!" at the end! 

I think you're right, I've done a write up which I was considering posting seeing as how a lot of the fix threads are missing pictures etc. I think it might be a little long winded though...

It wouldn't hurt. I'm going to get the LED turn signals on my GS working this winter, and I don't know much about electrics. Did you just do the "diode mod" as described above? I have that saved, as this has been on my to-do list for some time...

This is my Amazon cart at the moment. Look like everything I need?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mr. BIGGZ]

Sorry for the late reply, finals week kicking my butt! Glad you got it resolved, I tried the diode mod, but probably had them wired up incorrectly; hence, my diodes on fire thread.

Glad it's all working now! 

[the_63]

Hooray!!! You should edit the title of your thread and have it say "solved!!" at the end! 

I think you're right, I've done a write up which I was considering posting seeing as how a lot of the fix threads are missing pictures etc. I think it might be a little long winded though...

It wouldn't hurt. I'm going to get the LED turn signals on my GS working this winter, and I don't know much about electrics. Did you just do the "diode mod" as described above? I have that saved, as this has been on my to-do list for some time...

This is my Amazon cart at the moment. Look like everything I need?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, the diode mod made the turn signals light up left and right individually then the electronic relay took care of the flash timing. It took me about 90 minutes, stopping for pictures and running between the garage and the house the house to check on Adidasguys diode mod picture.

Sorry for the late reply, finals week kicking my butt! Glad you got it resolved, I tried the diode mod, but probably had them wired up incorrectly; hence, my diodes on fire thread.

Glad it's all working now! 

Cheers dude, all I need to do now is replace the turn signals with road legal ones, because in my uber excitement I bought non E-marked ones 
But that'll keep for later 

[rscottlow]

Sweet! I can't wait to get mine working...although I'm going to have to learn to start using my signals since I've been riding without for so long.

[the_63]

If these were installed in the dash, would they be visible through the next cap over? So would the oil light "bleed over" into the neutral light?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-5-SMD-LED-501-T10-W5W-PUSH-WEDGE-CAPLESS-BRIGHT-PURE-XENON-SIDE-LIGHT-BULBS-/112034014525?var=410970133435&hash=item1a15bf653d:g:mZYAAOSwQTVWAFzi