Indicator flashing speed too fast?

**mattyt** · 8th October 2009, 22:25

I got failed on a warrant because my flasher speed was classed as "Too Fast".

Checked all the bulbs and they are working fine.

I wasnt even aware they had to be a correct speed before they would pass it???

Can someone clarify this at all??

**Warr** · 9th October 2009, 01:06

Could be caused by bulbs being too higher wattage. This will happen if the indicator relay is of the bimetallic strip variety.
They can also just get tired with age.

Best to replace the relay with a later electronic variety.

Someone will tell you the proper name, but a decent bike shop should be able to supply.
Should be a direct swap for what you have...as in plug & play. No extra wiring changes ... I think ???

**pete376403** · 9th October 2009, 19:34

The flash rate is supposed to be around 1 per second (give or take a wee bit)
As previous post sez,If the wattage is too high, the bulb draws too much current and makes the flasher unit cycle too fast. Easiest fix is put the correct bulbs in.

**rosie631** · 9th October 2009, 19:42

Also if you change to aftermarket LEDs this can happen. You have to do something to the wiring. Can't remember what tho. Relay?? maybe. Sorry, not much help lol

**AllanB** · 9th October 2009, 19:44

Or you recently added LED indicators to bling up the bike and did not update the flasher relay or add resistors.

**YellowDog** · 9th October 2009, 19:45

Yep, already been answered in full.

If you haven't changed anything, then it's the flasher unit relay.

**rosie631** · 9th October 2009, 19:46

Originally Posted by AllanB

Or you recently added LED indicators to bling up the bike and did not update the flasher relay or add resistors.

That's what I was TRYING to say lol

**paddy** · 10th October 2009, 23:43

Originally Posted by mattyt

I wasnt even aware they had to be a correct speed before they would pass it???

Can someone clarify this at all??

"The lamp must flash at a frequency of 1-2Hz". That is to say that it must flash no faster than twice per second and no slower than once per second.

Look in section 4-5 at the below link:

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/certifiers/v...ml#motorcycles

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 11th October 2009, 06:08

Stick another bulb in series (say under the seat out of sight) this will slow the flashing down.

**Owl** · 11th October 2009, 07:53

Originally Posted by mattyt

I wasnt even aware they had to be a correct speed before they would pass it???

Can someone clarify this at all??

Your indicators are not allowed to flash faster than two flashes per second, or slower than one flash per second, or at a different rate from other lamps on the same side.

**AndyMoto** · 14th October 2009, 09:25

As an aside, I fitted LED's with resistors and all worked fine until I removed them, went back to the normal bulbs, removed the resistors and found the flasher unit was fried and flashed fast then slow then fast for a bit etc etc
New flasher unit and all is good again.

**Resto lad** · 19th October 2009, 19:38

Yeah Matt I just brought led ( 15 bulbs) fitted them to spunk up the look & be more visable, but just like you flahed fast and mine were dull yellow .
I have just been advised, by the dude who sold them to me, he can sell me a flash controler, one for each side to sort the front LED's cause this wont effect the origonal bulb rears that I am still running, not that impressed cause thats $30 more to the $70 i spent in good faith, thinking thunderbirds are GO.

**kwaka_crasher** · 20th October 2009, 20:48

Originally Posted by Resto lad

Yeah Matt I just brought led ( 15 bulbs) fitted them to spunk up the look & be more visable, but just like you flahed fast and mine were dull yellow .
I have just been advised, by the dude who sold them to me, he can sell me a flash controler, one for each side to sort the front LED's cause this wont effect the origonal bulb rears that I am still running, not that impressed cause thats $30 more to the $70 i spent in good faith, thinking thunderbirds are GO.

Just replace the flasher relay with an electronic one available from any auto parts store. Electronic ones aren't load affected like bimetallic ones - the only disadvantage is they'll flash at the normal rate if a bulb is out.

**klingon** · 20th October 2009, 21:16

Another option:
Stop taking your bike to the LTNZ for its warrant and find someone who actually cares about your health and safety instead of the speed your indicators are flashing!

Just saying.

**Clubbie** · 4th November 2009, 19:54

Originally Posted by klingon

Another option:
Stop taking your bike to the LTNZ for its warrant and find someone who actually cares about your health and safety instead of the speed your indicators are flashing!

Just saying.

Couldn't have said it better!

Also supercheap and repco both have the led flashers as standard replacement for LED indicator upgrades. Not too expensive.