Flasher relays don't flash

Any idea's why after replacing my turn signals my relays don't flash.The turn signals come on when called for but don't flash.I've double checked my wiring job all looks right.Put a volt meter to them and am reading 11.60 volts dc to the lights.Tryed replacing flasher relay with a spare i had.I've got the batterie on charge incase it's just a weak batterie.However was working before changing lights.Any idea's would be a great help...Thanks

 

If you replaced the turn signal assemblies, chances are you have the wrong wattage bulbs in place. Check to make sure that the replacements match the wattage requirements for your bike. If not, swap them. If you moved up to an LED indicator, you will need to upgrade your solid state flasher to an electronic unit. $15 give or take.

 

Have you replaced your lights with the same wattage bulbs? If I recall correctly, the flasher relay needs to have the appropriate "load" upon it, from two healthy 12V 21W (total load, 42W obviously) bulbs.


If not, maybe an idea to use an electronic flasher unit instead of the stock one.

 

You don't need to change the bulbs to get the lights to flash. Just go to an auto store and get an electronic flasher and replace it with your mechanical flasher. I ran LEDs on mine and they flash at the perfect rate, not too fast, not too slow. Mechanical flashers need the proper load to work properly.

 

also check the grounds on the lights... i had a broke ground on my front light... regrounded it and it works great.... good luck

 

Thanks all will try all idea's in the morning.I'll check bulb wattage and as there not a led.Have a good look at the ground aswell.All else fails a trip to the automart.Been a week since my last trip i'm sure i'm missed

 

on my Seca Turbo, it seems they wont flash unless 'warmed up' abit.

or maybe the relay bounced around alittle. you can check the relay.

there's instructions i think on here somewhere, but basically it involves running 12v across the 'magnet' terminals and checking for cont. against the other terminals.

i know my terminology sucks, but it's late.

 

That was it wrong bulbs.Aftermarket lights came with a double element bulb.Where the stock lights were a single element 1156 bulb.Had to take both aftermarket and stock lights apart and swap sockets.Hardly worth the deal on the aftermarkets.Will keep in mind looking at an eletronic flasher.Thanks to all

 

An honest mistake, live and learn.Glad to hear you got it fixed!

 

Well, I am not sure how this will work for you, but I had this problem on my Yamaha Maxim. I am all for modding, and I usually don't buy anything unless I can't make it myself. So here is how I fixed this problem for almost free.

First of all, I took the watt rating for the existing bulbs. Then devided by the voltage to get current, and then voltage by current for resistance.

P=VI V=IR so I=V/R therefore P=V^2/R or R=V^2/P

Now I know what kind of current load and resistance makes my existing flashers work. I then now what kind of resistor load you need to add to get that kind of current load. I added mine in parallel to lower the wattage on them. I just used 1 ohm/5Watt power resistors, (4 for each light to be exact) in parallel with the new lights. I already had them so they were free, but they would be really cheap online.

I'm sure someone will comment that this is more work than they want to go through to save 20 bucks for digital flashers, but the struggle is the glory.

Also remember resistance adds in series and conductance(S) adds 1/resistance in parallel. For example:

-R-R-R- in series is 3R

whereas;

-R-
-R-
-R- in parallel is (1/((1/R)+(1/R)+(1/R)))

Good luck.

 

I think you could've just went to an auto store and bought an electronic flasher and saved yourself some time. I'd rather make things myself to if I can, but sometimes you can just find a better/easier, and cheaper way.

 

Nice having that auto cancel isn't it !

 

True. I would also like to clarify. I did go ahead and try a digital flasher. And will concede that my local auto suppliers, are sub par. But after two flashers didn't get the job done, and I had removed and replaced my tank twice. I said, to He)) with this, and just made the load resistors. In addition, I am fond of these lights, and when the bike goes (if the bike goes) I would like to be able to pull these and just pop the old ones in and now I am good to go with these lights in whatever I get.

But you are right, digital flasher will most likely work.