My LED turn signals don't work right: Difference between revisions

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Using diodes is probably an easier way to do make your new signals work than the LED method described below. It should be easier for most people to solder wires and make a ground using a ring terminal than to fiddle with small parts inside the gauge cluster. Another nice feature of this modification is any cluster will work, so if the cluster needs to be replaced for any reason, the wiring modification will still be on the bike.

A diode is a simple one-way valve. It only allows electricity to flow in one direction. This will keep the two turn signal circuits separated. [http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/diode.htm More about diodes]

If you haven't use diodes before, this may seem a little complicated. But all you're really doing is rewiring the light bulb.

If you haven't use diodes before, this may seem a little complicated. But all you're really doing is rewiring the light bulb. The portion of the schematic shown below shows how this setup works. The two wires run into two diodes. These are then wired together and sent to the bulb. The 'one-way valve' on the diodes keeps the electricity from flowing back through the opposite signals' wire, as it does in the stock wiring. The bulb is then grounded with the leftover grey wire. So, instead of having two hot wires going into the bulb, there is now a hot and a ground, just like a normal bulb.

[[image:LEDWiringModification-1.jpg|150px]]

To start, get two diodes, part number 1N4001. These are available at [http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036268 Radio Shack] or other electronics stores. This is a general purpose diode and should be easy to find. Then you can just follow the directions on the pictures.

At the six-connection plug under the headlight, use a paper clip to remove the green and grey wires from the male side of the plug. These wires bring power to the ~~dash light, so you know that~~ your signals are on. You are going to splice into these wires, so leave enough wire on both ends, ie... make your cut several inches back from the connector.

At the six-connection plug under the headlight, use a paper clip to remove the green and grey wires from the male side of the plug. These wires bring power to the "your signals are on" dash light. You are going to splice into these wires. When you do, leave enough wire on both ends to make the splice, ie... make your cut several inches back from the connector.

[[Soldering 101|Solder]] the anode (+) end of the diodes individually to the part of the wire that is still on the harness, one to the green and one to the grey wire. These will be your hot wires, running through the diodes to the dash bulb. Then you need to solder the cathode (-) end of both diodes together to the end of the ~~grey~~ wire that you cut off (that still has a connector on it)~~. This is going to be the ground~~.

[[Soldering 101|Solder]] the anode (+) end of the diodes individually to the part of the wire that is still on the harness, one to the green and one to the grey wire. These will be your hot wires, running through the diodes to the dash bulb. Then you need to solder the cathode (-) end of both diodes together to the end of the green wire that you cut off (that still has a connector on it).

[[image:1SixPlugConn-REV1.jpg|150px]]

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 Using diodes is probably an easier way to do make your new signals work than the LED method described below. It should be easier for most people to solder wires and make a ground using a ring terminal than to fiddle with small parts inside the gauge cluster. Another nice feature of this modification is any cluster will work, so if the cluster needs to be replaced for any reason, the wiring modification will still be on the bike.
 A diode is a simple one-way valve. It only allows electricity to flow in one direction. This will keep the two turn signal circuits separated. [http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/diode.htm More about diodes]
-If you haven't use diodes before, this may seem a little complicated. But all you're really doing is rewiring the light bulb.
+If you haven't use diodes before, this may seem a little complicated. But all you're really doing is rewiring the light bulb. The portion of the schematic shown below shows how this setup works. The two wires run into two diodes. These are then wired together and sent to the bulb. The 'one-way valve' on the diodes keeps the electricity from flowing back through the opposite signals' wire, as it does in the stock wiring. The bulb is then grounded with the leftover grey wire. So, instead of having two hot wires going into the bulb, there is now a hot and a ground, just like a normal bulb.
+[[image:LEDWiringModification-1.jpg|150px]]
 To start, get two diodes, part number 1N4001. These are available at [http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036268 Radio Shack] or other electronics stores. This is a general purpose diode and should be easy to find. Then you can just follow the directions on the pictures.
-At the six-connection plug under the headlight, use a paper clip to remove the green and grey wires from the male side of the plug. These wires bring power to the dash light, so you know that your signals are on. You are going to splice into these wires, so leave enough wire on both ends, ie... make your cut several inches back from the connector.
+At the six-connection plug under the headlight, use a paper clip to remove the green and grey wires from the male side of the plug. These wires bring power to the "your signals are on" dash light. You are going to splice into these wires. When you do, leave enough wire on both ends to make the splice, ie... make your cut several inches back from the connector.
-[[Soldering 101|Solder]] the anode (+) end of the diodes individually to the part of the wire that is still on the harness, one to the green and one to the grey wire. These will be your hot wires, running through the diodes to the dash bulb. Then you need to solder the cathode (-) end of both diodes together to the end of the grey wire that you cut off (that still has a connector on it). This is going to be the ground.
+[[Soldering 101|Solder]] the anode (+) end of the diodes individually to the part of the wire that is still on the harness, one to the green and one to the grey wire. These will be your hot wires, running through the diodes to the dash bulb. Then you need to solder the cathode (-) end of both diodes together to the end of the green wire that you cut off (that still has a connector on it).
 [[image:1SixPlugConn-REV1.jpg|150px]]