LED turn signals

[gasdxb]

Hi all!
I just replaced the turn signals on my newly bought 2012 Tiger 1050 ABS with LED ones. I replaced the turn relay as well with one designed for LED signals. The funny thing is the blinking rate is 'normal' with the ignition on (engine not running) but it becomes faster with the engine running! Any idea how to fix this? I tried disconnecting the negative terminal of the battery and allow a reset, but with no luck. I do remember trying the signals just with the ignition on the first time; would this program the relay for that current/voltage in particular?
Thanks!

[Kev51]

gasdxb
You will need some resistors connected across the led globes to give the ecu a consistent load to operate by.

[ZuluTiger]

I don't think that's right. The older models depend on the flasher unit for the rate, not the ECU. I've replaced mine and use a flasher unit from a local car parts store with no issues. Sounds like your replacement flasher unit is the culprit. I needed ballast resistors only when I was using the older OEM flasher unit when using an integrated tail light that did away with the rear indicators. Once I replaced all four, I went to a fully electronic flasher that does not depend on load. It works perfectly with very low wattage LED's, hence my skepticism...

[mustangpilot]

Originally Posted by ZuluTiger

I don't think that's right. The older models depend on the flasher unit for the rate, not the ECU. I've replaced mine and use a flasher unit from a local car parts store with no issues. Sounds like your replacement flasher unit is the culprit. I needed ballast resistors only when I was using the older OEM flasher unit when using an integrated tail light that did away with the rear indicators. Once I replaced all four, I went to a fully electronic flasher that does not depend on load. It works perfectly with very low wattage LED's, hence my skepticism...

ZuluTiger  is right.
 A fully electronic flasher relay is the way to go for Tigers equipped with a blinker relay. The Tigers without a blinker relay...where the ECU controls the blinkers...one ballast resistor per side takes is needed. 
See my post https://www.tiger1050.com/index.php/topic,41774.msg461450.html#msg461450

[Sidewinder]

You can't 'program' a relay.  You can get ones that have an adjuster screw so that you can alter the flash rate.  Sounds like your relay is faulty also maybe check you are getting 14/15v at battery with engine running

[Mike_B]

I fitted LED ones a few months ago and had a similar issue.  Each light unit came with a resistor pack, so I fitted all of them - one resistor on each light unit.  That worked perfectly when sat still in the garage with just the ignition on, but with the engine running they didn't work at all - they flashed once and then stopped completely.

The fix was simple, I just had to remove one resistor pack from each side, so the front was wired straight to the existing loom, and the rears had the resistor pack fitted.  Once that was done, they all worked just fine whether or not the engine was running.

[gasdxb]

Originally Posted by Mike_B

I fitted LED ones a few months ago and had a similar issue.  Each light unit came with a resistor pack, so I fitted all of them - one resistor on each light unit.  That worked perfectly when sat still in the garage with just the ignition on, but with the engine running they didn't work at all - they flashed once and then stopped completely.

The fix was simple, I just had to remove one resistor pack from each side, so the front was wired straight to the existing loom, and the rears had the resistor pack fitted.  Once that was done, they all worked just fine whether or not the engine was running.

Thanks for the reply! Please let me know how to connect those resistors. I did receive 4 of them together with the LEDs, but no instructions. What wire do they need to be connected on?

[gasdxb]

Originally Posted by Sidewinder

You can't 'program' a relay.  You can get ones that have an adjuster screw so that you can alter the flash rate.  Sounds like your relay is faulty also maybe check you are getting 14/15v at battery with engine running

Hi! When you say getting 14-15v at battery, is that too much? What should the normal reading be? In case I do get that voltage, would that be an issue for the rest of the electrics/electronics? What would be the culprit? The alternator? Thanks!

[Sidewinder]

Manufacturers spec is battery should be (charging) at 14/15v with engine running.   If you get about 13.7v or less (engine running) then your charging system is possibly faulty, likely the stator.  Also check wiring and connections between stator and reg/rec battery etc as plugs have been known to corrode and fail/burn out.

At rest ign off should be about 12.8-13v (meaning it's fully charged) with a conventional battery.

[Mike_B]

Originally Posted by gasdxb

Thanks for the reply! Please let me know how to connect those resistors. I did receive 4 of them together with the LEDs, but no instructions. What wire do they need to be connected on?

TBH I don't recall exactly how they connected, and unfortunately I threw away the instructions recently.   The ones I left in place are tucked away inside the rear fairing panels (so are hidden by the brake light) so it's quite a piece of work to get back to them.

I believe that each resistor was a black plastic block with four wires, two for 'in' and two for 'out'.  So the original wiring on the bike goes to the 'in' pair, and then the 'out' pair to the new LEDs.  Something to bear in mind is that LEDs are sensitive to polarity, so if they don't work at all, just switch one pair of cables over and it should jump into life.  Also, they are only resistors, if you have some already then fit them to the front where they are easy to get to, and test it out.  You won't do any harm.

Sorry I can't be more precise, I did search the Oxford Products website but there are no downloadable instructions for their LED indicators.