Customizing turn signal lights

[Guest]

I just recently put ammo cans on the side of my bike. I bought LED lights to replace the stock rear lights bc they wouldn't fit back on. After installing I come to find out the lights don't blink anymore.
I installed a new 3 pin light relay to work with the amp issue but I don't even get lights on period. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[rustybronco]

Are they lighting up or aren't they?

[Jlit86]

If I leave the old relay in they will light up but not blink. If I change out the relay with the new they won't turn on at all.

[rustybronco]

Then it sounds to me you have an improper turn signal flasher.

Put the year and model bike in your signature.

[Steve]

Thanks for any help you can give me.

OK, but you are going to have to help us first.

WHAT BIKE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???

Yes, it matters. Different GSes (assuming you are asking about a Suzuki GS ) will take different solutions, so we need to know.

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[Jlit86]

Sorry yall, figured out the signature thing. 80 GSL 1100. Also, if I hook the stock lights back up they work fine.

[rustybronco]

That bike doesn't use your normal three pin flasher.

I'll link you to an article showing how to modify a Toyota flasher in a little while.

[Steve]

OK, now I know which batch of information to toss in your direction.

Your bike came with self-cancelling turn signals. It uses a thermal relay flasher assembly that is controlled by an external control unit. The thermal relay depends on having a certain amount of current flowing through the two incandescent turn signal bulbs. Since you have changed one of the bulbs to an LED, there is not as much current flowing, meaning there is not enough current to activate the flasher.

Simply replacing the flasher with a 3-pin unit will NOT work, as the third pin of the stock flasher is NOT a ground, it is the connection to the control unit.

You have two options available:
1. Keep your new flasher unit. To do this, you will have to make an extension harness from two of the pins in the stock socket to two of the pins of the new flasher. The third pin of the new flasher will need to be connected to a chassis ground. Note that by doing this, you will defeat the self-cancelling feature and you will have to turn them off manually, ALL THE TIME.
2. Purchase two load resistors. These are available in many custom shops that sell LED lights. They will basically be installed as if they were another turn signal bulb (but one that does not light up). They will shunt a bit of current whenever the signals are activated, and will be enough to activate the thermal relay. This option will retain your self-cancelling signal feature.

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[rustybronco]

Here it is... http://www.mediafire.com/view/ez5i73...1000_1980.docx