Blinkers won't blink. (LED)

[DannyMotor]

I just tried installing LED blinkers I had kicking around on the GS, and they won't blink... just stay on. Is this because they're not drawing enough to activate the blinker?

Just wondering.

[Crazy_Russian]

there isn't enough resistance, you can get the resistor packs from AutoZone. about 1.5-2 inches long, ceramic looking things

[salty_monk]

Get a Universal ELECTRONIC flasher unit from Autozone/Pepboys etc & plug it in. It'll work. I've done this one 3 GS's now.... They cost about $6. The electronic ones don't need the resistance (actually they do but it's minimal, the bulb in the gauge set will run it). Any Auto Cancelling function you had before will cease to work.

[Steve]

there isn't enough resistance, you can get the resistor packs from AutoZone. about 1.5-2 inches long, ceramic looking things

Actually, there is too MUCH resistance, which does not allow enough current to flow.

The lack of current through the flasher unit is what is not making it flash.

The "resistor packs" that are available, are wired in parallel across the LEDs, which allows more current to pass on an alternate path. The LEDs will only take what they need, so they are not affected. Just make sure you don't wire the resistors in series, or they won't work at all.

.

[Crazy_Russian]

opsy... thank you for correcting me, i thought that the LED's dont draw enough current therefor not providing enough resistance/load on the relay
learned something new, thanks

[Mekanix]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/3-Pin-CF13-Electronic-Car-Flasher-Relay-fix-LED-Hyper-Flash-Fast-Blink-/160773312069?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item256ed60e45

Resistors ? I always ask why?

Having a self canceling unit is probably the only reason I can think of.

Add a ground to the 3rd leg of that relay, plug it into your regular relay socket and your set no matter what lights you use. LED, incandescent, high or low wattage, no matter what, they will flash.

[mike_of_bbg]

The $3 type 552 flasher available at NAPA is an electronic one, I believe. It is labeled as "load independent" on the back of the package, and leads in the off state, which seems a physical impossibility for a true thermal flasher (although the front of the package does say thermal). It's also been reported on other forums that the NAPA 552 cures "no blink" issues with LED signals.

[Killer2600]

opsy... thank you for correcting me, i thought that the LED's dont draw enough current therefor not providing enough resistance/load on the relay
learned something new, thanks

Current and Resistance are inversely proportional.

LESS resistance = MORE current

MORE resistance = LESS current