LED Signal Bulb Issue

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Tundra Dweller
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LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Tundra Dweller »

I ordered some very bright COB LED bulbs for the turn signals on the 2002 R1150R.
Installed them and found the right side worked perfect.
The left side blink fast and partially illuminate the right Blinkers.
I'm going to try some different LEDS I have.
Any thoughts as to why?
1974 Kawi H-1 500
1975 Norton 850
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2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250
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AZBMWRIDER
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by AZBMWRIDER »

Do you have the original flasher unit ?? If you do, you need one specifically for LED's, not enough resistance in the LED's for the original to work properly .
'02 R1150R, Atlanta Blue
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Tundra Dweller »

AZBMWRIDER wrote:Do you have the original flasher unit ?? If you do, you need one specifically for LED's, not enough resistance in the LED's for the original to work properly .
It is the OEM Flasher. Unfortunately I am unable to find a aftermarket unit for that model.
It is quite elaborate with many leads going into it. Complexity for complexities sake?
In the past I have added resistors to the signal leads to get them to work.
The odd part is the difference from side to side.
1974 Kawi H-1 500
1975 Norton 850
2002 BMW R1150R
2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250
2013 BMW GS 650 Sertao
AZBMWRIDER
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by AZBMWRIDER »

I would look at the contacts inside the turn directional on the faulty side, possibly one is corroded, or poor contact between the bulb and contact .
You could try swapping the bulbs from each side to see if the problem moves with the bulbs, or stays on left side .
'02 R1150R, Atlanta Blue
Been riding since 1979, BMW's since 1981 .
4 R65's, '87 Guzzi V65 Lario .
Tundra Dweller
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Tundra Dweller »

AZBMWRIDER wrote:I would look at the contacts inside the turn directional on the faulty side, possibly one is corroded, or poor contact between the bulb and contact .
You could try swapping the bulbs from each side to see if the problem moves with the bulbs, or stays on left side .
Great idea! I will also add a film of dielectric grease to the bulb connections.
Thanks!
1974 Kawi H-1 500
1975 Norton 850
2002 BMW R1150R
2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250
2013 BMW GS 650 Sertao
Barista
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Barista »

Are LED bulbs directional? My knowledge of electrical stuff is pretty bad, but a friend told me that if a bulb doesn't work I should try turning it 180 degrees, or swapping the positions of the spade connections.
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Tundra Dweller »

Barista wrote:Are LED bulbs directional? My knowledge of electrical stuff is pretty bad, but a friend told me that if a bulb doesn't work I should try turning it 180 degrees, or swapping the positions of the spade connections.
Yes LEDS need to be polarity correct to work. The 1156 bulb base can only connect one way though unlike blade connection bulbs.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... gL4ofD_BwE
1974 Kawi H-1 500
1975 Norton 850
2002 BMW R1150R
2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250
2013 BMW GS 650 Sertao
Tundra Dweller
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Tundra Dweller »

Well....I cleaned the sockets with contact cleaner though they looked like new. Put some dielectric grease on the bulb leads, switched the bulbs around, tried different LED's all to no avail. It appears the over engineered flasher will not function with the lower resistance. I wouldn't mind if they were just rapid flashing. The 4 way emergency flash doesn't work at all and the turn signals alternately flash all four signals. :-k
Back to incandescent bulbs.
1974 Kawi H-1 500
1975 Norton 850
2002 BMW R1150R
2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250
2013 BMW GS 650 Sertao
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Mrclubike
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Mrclubike »

hello Tundra dweller
FYI
Their is a modification that can be done to the OEM flasher to make them work properly (no Hyper Flash)
Also it is possible some one has plugged the wires up incorrectly on the bulb holder causing your other issue
Sounds like your getting feed back thru the dash indicators because of the polarity being reversed or you have a week ground

Other than the flash issue were the bulbs you got from Super bright LED as bright as the stock bulbs
I am using a Signal Minder running light feature and want to switch to LEDs to prevent the holder from over heating
FYI Signal minder works for LEDs with no mod
Thanks Mark
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Soliton
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Soliton »

Hi Mr Club Bike,

Where did you find the information about modding the OEM flasher. I would be keen to follow it up. (A URL or similar would be greatly appreciated.

I am trying to work out the best way to mount the original Hella bullseye bar end indicators.

Rs,

Sol
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Mrclubike
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Mrclubike »

Here is the thread
https://advrider.com/f/threads/modify-t ... t-32880228

I just noticed a signature in the lower left hand corner of the snip
http://www.motofab.com
But it appears to be dead
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Soliton
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Soliton »

Thanks Mrclubike.

Please be very careful with the mod shown above.

The original site is talking about mods for the R1150GS, and it is for the relay part number 61 31 2 306 979

https://advrider.com/f/threads/modify-t ... st-4556596

The listed number for my R1150r is 61 31 7 679 867 this IS NOT the same part.

The modification as shown may not work.

I back tracked to the original German site from which the information was sourced and it does not give specific instruction for 61 31 7 679 867

What a bother, It looks like an easy and inexpensive way to avoid hyper flashing without buying aftermarket relays.

Rs,

Sol
"Better to live rich than die rich."
RadicalR1150R
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by RadicalR1150R »

I run led bulbs at all locations, including the license bulb on my 04 R1150R, with a signal minder & running light mode selected. Also a HID unit at the headlight. I've not had to change the flasher unit.
I noticed the heat from standard OEM bulbs distorting (melting) the lenses up front.
You might try turning the bulb over 180 to stop the rapid flashing
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Mrclubike
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Mrclubike »

RadicalR1150R wrote:I run led bulbs at all locations, including the license bulb on my 04 R1150R, with a signal minder & running light mode selected. Also a HID unit at the headlight. I've not had to change the flasher unit.
I noticed the heat from standard OEM bulbs distorting (melting) the lenses up front.
You might try turning the bulb over 180 to stop the rapid flashing
I run the Signal minder also and I was afraid running the Signals as marker lights would over heat the lenses so that was why I wanted to switch to LEDs
FYI the signal minder is LED compatible
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Mrclubike
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Mrclubike »

Soliton wrote:Thanks Mrclubike.

Please be very careful with the mod shown above.

The original site is talking about mods for the R1150GS, and it is for the relay part number 61 31 2 306 979

https://advrider.com/f/threads/modify-t ... st-4556596

The listed number for my R1150r is 61 31 7 679 867 this IS NOT the same part.

The modification as shown may not work.

I back tracked to the original German site from which the information was sourced and it does not give specific instruction for 61 31 7 679 867

What a bother, It looks like an easy and inexpensive way to avoid hyper flashing without buying aftermarket relays.

Rs,

Sol
Good eye
I din't notice the 2 different part numbers
I just assumed the flasher for the GS and R was the same because according to EME they have one flasher that replaces both numbers
https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Relay ... el-867.htm
So it looks like the 979 supersedes to the 867
Mine has not been replaced so I still have the 979 in my 2004 R1150R
Check your flasher you may still have a 979

I have a feeling they changed suppliers or the design so the 867 may be different inside :(
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swamper
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by swamper »

I installed these on four of our bikes and they work great.

https://www.motorcycleparts-hornig.com/ ... Relay.html
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jwagreen
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by jwagreen »

https://youtu.be/REYFATNRy5Q

link on video on how to mod flasher unit
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Tundra Dweller »

jwagreen wrote:https://youtu.be/REYFATNRy5Q

link on video on how to mod flasher unit
Thanks for the link. Fantastic that it just involves cutting a circuit, not that I’m opposed to using a soldering iron.

There is a discrepancy between the video and the circuit board picture posted above. The video states cutting at two points, the pic shows only one. I will start with one and see if that has the desired effect.
1974 Kawi H-1 500
1975 Norton 850
2002 BMW R1150R
2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250
2013 BMW GS 650 Sertao
Tundra Dweller
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Re: LED Signal Bulb Issue

Post by Tundra Dweller »

This worked perfectly on my 2002 R1150R with LED Bulbs in the stock housings.
https://youtu.be/REYFATNRy5Q
I did have to cut both circuits. This and the DIY Servo removal are what makes forums so amazing.
1974 Kawi H-1 500
1975 Norton 850
2002 BMW R1150R
2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250
2013 BMW GS 650 Sertao
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