dummy guide to indicators?

[huskyman510]

I am after just a how to guide on fixing my indicators or step by step on things I should check first

Ever since I have owned my bike the indicators do some weird things.
I have after market indicators with normal globes, right side generally flashes about 50 times a second and the left stays on and a buzzing sound comes from flasher unit? the rear left does nothing(i guess I need to chase wiring to see if its connected)
rear right flashes quick with the front.
Sometimes they work as they should but that never lasts

I am mechanical but when it comes to relays and resistors etc I get a bit stumped
Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[MaxMidnight]

As they aren't OE the first thing to do would be to establish exactly what has been fitted, i.e. if incandescent bulbs what wattage are they or are they LED's.
Additionally, has the dash warning light been modified?
From what you describe it sounds like some ballast resistors are needed.

 

[huskyman510]

As they aren't OE the first thing to do would be to establish exactly what has been fitted, i.e. if incandescent bulbs what wattage are they or are they LED's.
Additionally, has the dash warning light been modified?
From what you describe it sounds like some ballast resistors are needed.

Just normal incandescents, unsure what wattage as theres no markings on them or have worn off.
Whats a ballast resistor?

 

[MaxMidnight]

Flasher unit will only blink at the correct rate if the wattage of the bulbs match that for which it is designed.
If this value is reduced then they will flash faster.
Ballast resistors are used so the circuit acts as if the correct wattage bulbs are being used.
If you do a Google search you can find practical examples of how to calculate this.
If you are unable to establish that wattage of the bulbs fitted then try substituting with those of the OE value.

 

[DMAN999]

I have these arrow shaped turn signals (front and rear) on my 2000 and they didn't require anything extra for them to work properly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-Four-Ch...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5669c843b3
They use smaller incandescent bulbs and look like the one's I see on the front of your Max in your album.
I don't see any on the rear of your Max though.
What turn signals are you using for the rear ?
They may be the issue or possibly your flasher unit is just going bad.

 

[m-cman]

Those symptoms also show up when a bulb is out. You probably checked that out first but sometimes it is hard to see a break in a filament. I would verify each filament (2 in each bulb) doesn't have any breaks. If you cannot see any, try moving bulbs around to be sure there isn't any bulb problems.

 

[DMAN999]

Those symptoms also show up when a bulb is out. You probably checked that out first but sometimes it is hard to see a break in a filament. I would verify each filament (2 in each bulb) doesn't have any breaks. If you cannot see any, try moving bulbs around to be sure there isn't any bulb problems.

Good point, definitely a possibility.
A loose connection at the signals is a possibility as well.
These smaller turn signals have slightly smaller bullet connectors, I had to squeeze the OEM female connector so they connected tightly.

 

[Tex85]

Sounds like a bulb out, I just had the issue last week. They are dual filament bulbs so look for the one that will only blink or only have the running light, it will be the culprit. Bulbs are cheap on amazon so I replaced both of mine (rear is CBR light) fixed the erratic blinking and buzzing.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[huskyman510]

Cool thanks, sounds like an easy fix?

 

[huskyman510]

I have these arrow shaped turn signals (front and rear) on my 2000 and they didn't require anything extra for them to work properly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Set-Four-Ch...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item5669c843b3
They use smaller incandescent bulbs and look like the one's I see on the front of your Max in your album.
I don't see any on the rear of your Max though.
What turn signals are you using for the rear ?
They may be the issue or possibly your flasher unit is just going bad.

Ok Checked over everything, few loose connections, a broken solder joint in tail light, ALL bulbs were working, front sticks are 8 watt.

They all work now but have still have these issues:
all flashing at a very high rate as before

rear tail light works with ignition on but doesnt get any brighter when I apply brakes. If I disconnect blue (L) wire rear light goes off but comes on with the brake(just did that to check)

So whats the verdict?? wrong wattage globes all round?
I noticed none of my globes were dual filiment
help again

 

[DMAN999]

It definitely sounds like the Wattage of your turn signals is too low and causing the issue.
So you could add load resistors to them OR possibly use a flasher unit made for low wattage/LED signals.
Look through these:
http://www.vmaxforum.net/showpost.php?p=293712&postcount=6
http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=11377&page=2
http://vmaxchat.yuku.com/topic/1385/Load-Resistor-for-LED-Indicators#.VBhxP2d0w3E
And I'm sure there are more threads about this issue if you search the site a bit.

You can make the front signals work as running lights/turn signals with these:
http://www.chromeglow.com/catalog.asp?prodid=520657&showprevnext=1

 

[huskyman510]

It definitely sounds like the Wattage of your turn signals is too low and causing the issue.
So you could add load resistors to them OR possibly use a flasher unit made for low wattage/LED signals.
Look through these:
http://www.vmaxforum.net/showpost.php?p=293712&postcount=6
http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=11377&page=2
http://vmaxchat.yuku.com/topic/1385/Load-Resistor-for-LED-Indicators#.VBhxP2d0w3E
And I'm sure there are more threads about this issue if you search the site a bit.

You can make the front signals work as running lights/turn signals with these:
http://www.chromeglow.com/catalog.asp?prodid=520657&showprevnext=1

Thanks, I did some fiddling and it appears like its to do with my headlight, the more wattage I add to that my blinker rate goes down. Doesnt seem to be installed correctly from the start.
Im going to try and find a bigger wattage indicator globes and I presume the tail lights need dual filiment for them to run on and then on brighter for brakes

 

[DMAN999]

Thanks, I did some fiddling and it appears like its to do with my headlight, the more wattage I add to that my blinker rate goes down. Doesnt seem to be installed correctly from the start.
Im going to try and find a bigger wattage indicator globes and I presume the tail lights need dual filiment for them to run on and then on brighter for brakes

Sadly being an '88 the wiring is pretty old and may easily be causing your issue.
And who know's what other owners have modified since.
Good luck, hopefully it won't be too hard to figure out.

 

[blaxmax]

Did you notice on the Ebay ad that they were NOT compatible with a 1988 vmax?