Rat Rod Nation - A place for motorheads

Rat Rod Nation builds => Rat Rod Electrical Discussions => Topic started by: pacman454 on April 21, 2014, 09:51:56 AM

Title: LED flasher problems
Post by: pacman454 on April 21, 2014, 09:51:56 AM
Hello all,  got a problem with my 47 pickup.  I installed a new wiring harness, and all worked well.  I went with LED's front and rear, so I installed electronic flashers.  Turn signals work great when the key is in the run position and engine not running.  After I start the engine, turn signals just come on and stay on.  Any ideas?
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: obama on April 21, 2014, 10:00:31 PM
Positive wire to turn signal needs a feed from the switch that is on in both key on, and run position.  Trace where that power is coming from and go from there, or run hot off switch.
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: pacman454 on April 22, 2014, 02:11:27 PM
Thanks, will try it.
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: pacman454 on April 26, 2014, 07:09:36 PM
Still having problems, traced the wire back directly to the fuse box.  It has power with the key in start position, engine running and not running.   But still flashers only work when the key is in on position and engine not running.  When the engine is running the flasher comes on and stays on until you turn the switch off. Only difference is it has 14 volts with the engine running and 12.5 when the engine is off.  I wouldn't think the load would be any different when running or not, even added another bulb (test light) and still would trip it. 
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: hotwheels on April 28, 2014, 10:01:50 AM
It kind of sounds to me from your description that the hot wire is hooked up to a spot that is normally hot (power all the time) and when you start the vehicle, another wire is charging, which is turning on the flashers.....Try disconnecting one of your hot wires from the fuse box or turn signal switch and see what happens. Or try moving the hot wires to a spot on the fuse panel that is always hot. Also be sure to recheck all of your grounds, motor to body, body to frame, etc......If you have a test light, check your wires with the key on, engine off, see which wires are hot. Then start the engine, and see what wires are hot.
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: pacman454 on April 30, 2014, 02:34:10 PM
The wiring harness is a new 12 circuit system.  I am using the dedicated circuit for the turn signals.  Wire runs from fuse box power, to the electronic flasher, to the switch in column, to the led flasher.  I have tried running straight off battery power (instead of the fuse box) same results.  I have ordered a better quality electronic flasher.  Thinking maybe the electronic flasher doesn't like the extra voltage when the engine is running.  Maybe I should just stick with hand signals.
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: lowboy on April 30, 2014, 02:40:32 PM
didja try the old flasher unit? i agree maybe the flasher doesn't like the extra few volts
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: pacman454 on May 01, 2014, 09:20:51 AM
Yea the wiring harness came with standard flashers, which didn't work at all.
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: just old on May 01, 2014, 02:51:04 PM
when I used leds on my bike I installed relays . they were installed in the head light bucket for power and run from there . guest and idea
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: pacman454 on May 12, 2014, 07:56:44 AM
Put in the new flashers and seems to work ok.  The flash rate seems to move with the rpm, but I can live with that.  Another odd thing is this flasher only works when the engine is running, with just the key in the start position (engine not running) no lights at all.  Basically opposite of the other flasher unit.  Must be something with the slightly higher voltage with the engine running.
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: hotwheels on May 12, 2014, 08:17:20 AM
Well glad you atleast got them working with the engine running........Still seems like something isn't right, like a ground wire somewhere.
Title: LED flasher problems
Post by: Jeepenstein on May 12, 2014, 12:30:35 PM
Too little voltage being drawn by the LEDs.  I'd bet money on it.

Try an 1157 pigtail and bulb. Bet it works fine.

Jeff
Title: LED flasher problems
Post by: Jeepenstein on May 13, 2014, 07:58:11 AM
Meaning to test the theory not to replace :)
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: hotwheels on May 13, 2014, 02:53:03 PM
I think it would be worth a test, 1157's are cheap.......
Title: LED flasher problems
Post by: Jeepenstein on May 14, 2014, 08:27:47 AM
Found it

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1033148
Title: LED flasher problems
Post by: Jeepenstein on May 14, 2014, 08:36:15 AM
http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47071
Title: Re: LED flasher problems
Post by: pacman454 on May 14, 2014, 12:44:30 PM
Thanks for the links, kinda sounds like a lot of people have problems switching over to LEDs.  Will have to try an extra in-line bulb, maybe it will make the flash rate a little more consistent.  I did consider that before, but figured using a test light is the same as adding another bulb. And I didn't get any positive results from that.
Title: LED flasher problems
Post by: Jeepenstein on May 14, 2014, 04:59:58 PM
You're welcome.