Inzane 17

RAPID BLINKING TURN SIGNALS

Started by WDAN, Thu 05, Apr 2012, 10:21:18

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WDAN

My turn signals blink too rapidly. In past experience with another bike, this happened after I had added some after market lighting. a load equalizer or two solved the problem.

The only after market lighting I have on my Valk are the built in rear signal lights Corbin furnishes in my Beetle bags.
I called them and was told that they had not had this complaint. The bulbs are not LED.

For some of you electrically tech minded fellows,  what is causing my rapid blink?

Thanks in advance
WDAN
Irving, TX

Chrisj CMA

#1
sometimes when one bulb in the system goes bad some others will blink too fast.  Check all the bulbs before doing anything else

WDAN

Quote from: Chrisj CMA on Thu 05, Apr 2012, 10:31:40
sometimes when one bulf in the system goes bad some others will blink too fast.  Check all the bulbs before doing anything else

All four (front & back) bulbs are OK.
WDAN
Irving, TX

Michvalk

Bad ground on the bags or bad flasher. Guess based on past experience :cooldude:

Patrick

If this problem rose just after the installation of the additional lights, then you may have to switch to a variable load flasher..

WDAN

Quote from: Patrick on Thu 05, Apr 2012, 11:32:06
If this problem rose just after the installation of the additional lights, then you may have to switch to a variable load flasher..

It was blinking rapidly when I bought the bike. The Beetle bags were already installed with the rear signal lights. Of course, the OEM signal lights had been removed so, in a sense, there are no additional lights.
WDAN
Irving, TX

RainMaker

Let's look at it at the wrench party on the 21st.


2005 BMW R1200 GS
2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1998 Valkyrie Tourer
1981 GL1100I GoldWing
1972 CB500K1

Westsider

Where is the flash unit. Let me guess , behind the right side cover....?
we'll be there when we get there -   Valkless,, on lookout....

RUDE DOG - Steelers

I added LED rear signals to my bike and the flashing did the same thing; super fast.  I replaced my plug in flasher and it went back to normal.  It is under the seat to the left side of the bike.  A bitch for me to get to.  I routed it back down under the bike because I couldnt get two hands on it to release the clip.  Then once I was done I just routed it back up.  I think this is the one I ordered.

http://www.customdynamics.com/trick_flasher.htm


CASABROKER

I have beetle bags on of the wires is switched  Ignore the ground and switch the other 2 around. 

G-Man

Quote from: dreamaker on Thu 05, Apr 2012, 10:39:49
I have LED's on my bike and they blink fast. I left them like that. My thought is that I want motorist to see me so they don't run me down. Fast blink gets peoples attention so I don't blend into the background. I don't want to be a target. Specially with texting, cell phones, GPS's and video TV's.

+1  :cooldude:

olddog1946

Quote from: CASABROKER on Fri 06, Apr 2012, 00:59:29
I have beetle bags on of the wires is switched  Ignore the ground and switch the other 2 around. 

While fiddle farting around with different lights for the front of my bike I had the same problem when I re-installed the original turn signals up front. Had the power wires reversed on one side. Switched them around and good to go.
VRCC # 32473
US AIR FORCE E7, Retired 1965-1988
01 Valk Std.
02 BMW k1200LTE
65 Chevelle coupe, 1986 Mazda RX-7 with 350/5spd, 1983 Mazda RX-7 with FOMOCO 302/AOD project, 95 Mustang GT Convertible 5.0, 5 spd
Moses Lake, Wa.   509-760-6382 if you need help

capehoorn

I just solved the same problem yesterday. I installed clear lenses with amber bulbs and had the left turn signal blinking rapidly. After close investigation I found the front dual element bulb was turned to far in the socket and was somehow causing both elements to light up at the same time, making that side real bright compared to the other. With both elements lit at the same time the bulb was getting hot enough to melting the inside of the clear lens near the tip of the bulb. After backing off the bulb rotation in the socket just a bit the problem was solved. The bulb and the metal socket are in good condition but I think the flat disc with the two brass contacts that sends power to the bulb must be misaligned.
2000 Interstate

Chiefy

The timer for the flasher is designed with the resistance of the OEM bulbs taken into account.  The resistance of the bulbs is used to set the flash interval.  A different aftermarket bulb, with a different resistance will cause the interval to change.  If only one side is flashing fast, I'll bet the PO put a "close but not quite" replacement bulb in one socket on that side.  If both sides flash fast, I'd check all the bulbs, starting with the Beetle bags.  If that all looks well, and you *really* don't have adit lights on the circuit, I'd replace the flasher.

1998 Valk Standard 52,500 miles