Turn Signal Hell!!!

[Logicus]

OK, so I've been thumbing through all the tech info on the wiring of turn signals/lights/etc.... (thanks, by the way, to all the people who have put the manuals and diagrams on the board) but I have still not been able to solve my problem... I had a previously installed aftermarket blinker go bad, so I decided to upgrade to l.e.d.'s in the rear. I have blue/green going to one side and orange/green going to the left. No signals. Not even the sound of the signals. Where is the blinker relay on the bike? Or is it replaceable? The lights light up with a 12v current, but the signals still don't work. It seemed they worked before, but I am pretty stumped on this as I am at least somewhat mechanically inclined. Anywho, I think it may be the relay. I ran current through the wires as far back as I could find and they tested ok. Do you need a different relay to run l.e.d. lights? If someone already answered this and I missed it, just direct me to the thread.

Thanks in advance!

[Logicus]

Yes, I checked the fuse. It's ok.

[Hanadad]

Are your new signals supposed to be "plug and play'? Do they have a built in resistor?

[Logicus]

That I don't know... They are Lockhart Phillips "Marker Lights" that actually attach to the license plate. (Little Arrow shaped lenses. The packaging is kind of generic and has instructions for single and dual filament lights, but that's it, it doesn't say anything else.

[Hanadad]

Sure sounds like plug and play. I wasn't sure if you were fabbing up your own. I'd hook up a standard bulb or test light to confirm that all else is well before your emoticon hurts itself.

[SkinnE]

What Hanadad said.

Led turnsignals often need a special resistor added into their circuits to make them work. Maybe get in touch with LP if the rest of the system checks out ok.

The stock relay is located on the left side of the bike, in front of where the passenger peg attaches to the subframe. You would have to remove the cowl to see it, but you'd be able to hear it anyway.

E

[Logicus]

Well, going to the Honda shop tomorrow to see if they have any aftermarket bulb type markers. Gotta ride Sunday, and would prefer to run with turn signals. Where would one get resistors for such an application?

Thanks again.

[HypnoToad]

I had a similar problem when I moved to LED when they were all connected the would not turn off or blink.
The way I solved this was to disconnect the dash light as this is the bridge between them.
If you are just putting on one set of LED lights (eg rear set) you will not need a 3pin flashing relay but if you are replacing all of them you will need it.
Maybe just putting a simple resistor on the line will do it much easer then the set-up I have. I must go back and see if that will work for me.

[Logicus]

well, I went to the Honda shop and bought a pair of cheapies and they work fine.




I really wanted to clean up the tail a little more without extensive fab work, etc... I got rid of the fender extension (as you can see, I had to bend the license plate a little). Anyone got a pic of a stock subframe they've cut and gotten rid of the fender all together??? I would love to see how everything was mounted, etc....


I would like to eventually switch back to the leds, though, and was wondering if anyone knows what specific resistors to use with leds. I saw where many of you had leds that either stayed on or flashed erratically, but mine just never came on??

Thanks again!

[HypnoToad]

If you disconnect the dash light and use a LED flashing relay you do not need the resistors at all.

[marcus]

Right - you need a special relay or resistors.
It's because the bulbs have a power consumtion of 21 watt each and LED much less. With resistors you only "emulate" the 21 watt (power is converted into heat by resitors). The stock relay does not work with less power units (or starts to flash quicker if used 10 watt bulbs like on bulb is broken).

bye, marcus

[Ross]

5.00 each for the resistors. About one third of the way down the page.
you'll need at least two.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR&keywords=&cart_id=4611511.27944&next=50

[LeftRightLeftThrottle]

So if I wanted to replace turn signals, brake light, and dash indicators w/ led's how much work would that take?

[hawksonfire]

The hawk has mechanical blinkers( IE the relay) you need a module that steps down the power(so to speak). Im not an electrical engineer so I dont now the exact jargon Im "sposed to speak" but a wiring changed will haved to be more than "plug and play"....

[surferdude]

I just hooked up my LED turn signal's today with two resistor's in the back - they work fine but blink fast which doesn't bother me.

Good mod.