Switchback leds

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by Camp, May 22, 2019.

  1. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    Multiple questions here. I tried to install switchback 7443 in the front also got a 'led spec' flasher. The flasher I replaced is on the back of the rack under the gauge cluster. It's the only similar plug. I still get hyperflash.
    Worse is the switchbacks do a "parade" flashing, white, amber, white ambet, instead of solid white markers switchback to amber blinkers. I'm going to try resisters next but the flasher should have taken care of that. Anyway it's a 2008 800, am I missing something? Flasher location, ect?
     
  2. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Can't answer your "parade" mode flashing, but the flasher relay shows as the middle of three in the service manual (with the others being listed as headlight relays). I would have expected an LED flasher unit should be doing the correct rate as I believe the flash rate is independent of load, so lower resistance LED flashers should no issue.
     
  3. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    Thanls, its strange changing the flasher made no difference at all. Resisters next. Honda wiring is a PITB.
     
  4. KarlR

    KarlR New Member

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    Maybe you installed in the wrong position. Unplug it and see if the blinkers still work.
     
  5. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    I'm beginning to think that because my front markers/turns are 2 wire opposed to 3 and the flasher is 2 wire that the low voltage mode, ie: marker lights is insufficient to activate the whites of the switchbacks.

    Question is: what controls the low vs high voltage and generates the pulse signal for turn signals? It's not the flasher I'm certain because changing flashers has no effect at all.
     
  6. KarlR

    KarlR New Member

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    If you only have 2 wires on your front signal lights, then they are not marker lights. The voltage is either on or off. The bulbs have two filaments, one for marker and one for signal.
     
  7. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    Sorry, nope. Marker lights light, blinkers blink and only 2 wires. Bulbs are 7440 single filiments. I did read a post somewhere here that it does a low voltage for marker which is cut for the higher voltage blinker. I'm trying to find out what controls that, the ECU or something else cause it's definitely not the flasher. Which BTW is 2 wire also.
     
  8. KarlR

    KarlR New Member

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    OK, not like my gen5. What year? I will try to look at the wiring diagram in the shop manual if I can find it.
     
  9. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    I'm sorry, details like that are kinda important. It's an 08 non ABS. 7440 single filiments at all 4 corners but does run position lights in front. What controls that is my mystery. The 7443s should work despite the extra filiments, the switchbacks however do a funky "parade flashing" as if the marker mode doesn't have enough voltage. I got an led flasher that made no difference. Next up is resistors in front. (I hate resistors)
    Thanks for anything you can find regarding how the position/blinker is controlled
    BC
     
  10. KarlR

    KarlR New Member

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    Downloaded the gen6 service manual and took a look at the wiring diagram. It shows three wires on the front signal lights, ground, marker and signal. It also shows three wires on the flasher, ground, 12v and the flash output.
    The rear signal lights are only two wires.
    Very strange what you are finding on your bike. Do you have a service manual for your bike with a wiring diagram that I could look at?
     
  11. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    First thing I did when I bought the bike, I'm 2nd owner. The manual does show 3 wires but mines 2 wires all the way round. Maybe a canadian bike??? But i don't know if they use position lights.
     
  12. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    I'll have to do some tracing with a meter next time I'm home. I'm more than 1/2 way across the states for a few more weeks.
     
  13. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    I have the same wiring on my RVF. 3 wires. If the indicators have been swapped out, they will only have two wires. The running light function for the front indicators is hot all the time, straight from the switchgear, and not used with the two wire indicators. The voltage comes directly from the fuse box, before the flasher relay.
     
  14. KarlR

    KarlR New Member

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    Yes NCB, I am also thinking his bike was modified.
    Also, according to the wiring diagram, when the turn signal switch is activated, the marker voltage for that side is interrupted. I am wondering if PO connected the wires together when the socket was swapped.
    Camp, when you get back to it, check the wire colors compared to the diagram and look for splices in the wire that are not factory.
     
  15. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    safety-wise, i wouldn't run a bike without front marker lights.
     
  16. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    With the amount of goofy extra light gadgets that have been introduced and subsequently disappeared into oblivion, I doubt they make you any more visible to a driver than just having good headlights. If it's your time, it's your time.
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2019
  17. fink

    fink Member

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    If its a US bike then there will be 3 wires. One position/marker, one earth and the third for the indicator which on the harness should be either orange (left) or light blue (right) if it has markers then they will also be orange or blue but with a white stripe. I would suggest checking the main harness wires and see if anything has been snipped or tucked away as is most cases. The stock bulbs will be twin filament. Also check the bulb holder.
     
  18. fink

    fink Member

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    TBH these days with the amount of cars running daytime lights it wont make any difference, you still blend in.
     
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  19. Camp

    Camp New Member

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    I didn't think of looking for cut wires. The wrap seemed factory. Don't know how the running lifgts would work, unless... The 3rd wire was tapped to the other power line. Hmmm seems like alot of work for someone to have gone to and to what end I wonder. Anyway, I'm hoping to get a couple hours home around the 4th so I'll have a deeper look. Thanks all!
     
  20. KarlR

    KarlR New Member

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    Camp, verified on my gen5, marker turns off when signal is on. My guess is the PO tied the two wires together to maintain the marker function. With the standard flasher not a problem other than bright marker light. I don’t know how backfeeding your LED flasher relay will affect it. You could put a diode on the output of the flasher to prevent the back feed, or just disconnect the marker wire splice.
    Let me know what you find.
     
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