Turn Signal Relay Issue

L

LuisN

Been Around the Block
Ok, i went in to eliminate all the wires i wont need. so i removed some, and i know which is which. BUT i have a small issue. when testing 1st,

i installed 3 small LEDS for the neutral + turn signal lights in the bucket so i can know when i have it on. NOT the turn lights itself. BUT they wont turn on. maybe i need a 380-520ohm resister on it?

ok thats that.. BUT when i press left or right on the button, the relay doesnt click it just stays on . doesnt blink. what might be wrong? relay? i only have 2 tabs on the relay its the original one. so how does that even work?

-luis
 
Do you have the polarity of the LEDS correct?

And if you've taken out the pilot lights and replaced them with LEDS, you've just reduced the current draw on the relay so it will just stay on. Get a no-load relay.
 
i put the reg bulbs to test instead of LEDS and still nada. i did forget to mention that the turn signals i replaced with are LED turn signals. could this be it also? can i get a no-load relay from advance auto?
 
Yep - the LEDS will reduce the current draw on a normal relay and it won't flash.

Any no-load relay will work - you might have to re-wire the connectors but they all do the same thing.
 
or if you put a regular bulb inline somewhere it should provide enough resistance to make it flash. Good for testing or just tape it over and leave it inline (like inside the headlight bucket or inside the side covers where it won't get too hot.
 
Get a no-load relay, you'll be happier in the long run. Bulbs or resisters wired inline will melt whatever touches them.
 
The stock flasher is a thermal type flasher. Current flowing through it heats up a bi-metal element which then bends from the heat and breaks the circuit. When the circuit is broken, the element cools and re-makes the circuit. LED's draw a LOT less power, so there is not enough current flowing through the relay to trigger it.

"Electronic flasher" is the nomenclature you will be looking for when you go to the auto parts store. The wiring will be a bit different. The stock flasher only has two connections. The electronic flasher has a third connection that has to be grounded. A wiring diagram will be included with the flasher.

Why aren't all flashers electronic flashers? Because a thermal flasher is about $3, and an electronic flasher is about $12.

Some will suggest "load balancing resistors" to compensate for the decreased load caused by the LED's but that reverses one of the best reasons for using the LED to begin with, which is to reduce power consumption.
 
Well heres the issue. the way i see the diag in the wiring , is the relay is -----Turn Signal Button Grey----Relay---Negative----
and the Org, and Light blue go straight to the bulbs. so how could i gnd + neg? which of course are the same things... or am i way off here?
 
right now where the relay is, its on the "grey" wire off the turn signal, and going to a neg on the other end of the relay. if you saying the 3rd connector on the "new" relay goes to gnd, will it still work?
 
You'll most likely need a two-terminal flasher, not a three.

Assuming this is a Honda, the hot wire goes to any black wire from the wiring harness and the negative side of the flasher should connect to the gray wire going to the left switch assembly. Also, pull the turn signal indicator bulb from your setup or you'll flash all four signals instead of just the two you're after.
 
AlphaDogChoppers said:
The electronic flasher has a third connection that has to be grounded.
Click to expand...
They make two terminal digital flashers. I have two in my Stepside, and one each in my Hayabusa and my DS7 ;)

Luis, Sonreir has your wiring covered.
Also keep in mind, a digital flasher (as well as LED turnsignals) only work in one direction. If they aren't working, try reversing the connections.
 
2pin.jpg

3pin.jpg
 
Hillsy, I picked up a 3 prong electronic flasher on the super cheap from china on eBay , my Honda is a 2 prong like most others I imagine.
According to your diagram I can just substitute the three prong in there as long as I add a ground?

Thanks,
Devon 8)

Also, only my rear signals wil be led and they're wired with resistors inside from the factory to work on these things but my front signals will be normal bulbs do you see any potential problems with this setup?
That being said, do you think I would even need to use the electronic flasher?
 
You might be able to just leave the 3rd pin (the Pilot) out of the equation. I'm not sure.

As for whether you need another relay, it's pretty much trial and error. I put mini 10w incandescant indicators on my ZX9 (in place of 21w) and it worked fine, whereas I did the same on my XT500 and they didn't flash.

It depends on the load rating of the relay and how much current your indicators will draw.
 
hillsy said:
You might be able to just leave the 3rd pin (the Pilot) out of the equation. I'm not sure.
Click to expand...
I've only got hands on experience with two pin flashers, but iirc when I was initially reading up on them, the three pin relays have to be grounded to work.

Hillsy, that's a great reference diagram. Thanks for posting.
 
Yes, that is an excellent diagram, I've bookmarked this page for future reference.

Thanks guys,
Devon 8)
 
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