Turn Signal Indicator Issue - Ducati.ms

James998FE · Feb 19th, 2012, 12:48 pm

Ok so here's the deal. I have an 08 1100s and when I bought it (4th owner) it did not have the front handguards/turn signals. The rears were there and functioning (abit fast but functioning). So I wanted some sort of fron turn signals and tho the Rizoma Track 77's look nice I just didn't want to pay $220 for the setup (4ea Track 77, 2 connector kits and mounting brackets for the front). So I ended up going over to Cycle Gear and picking up some cheaper LED Arrow turn signals (4ea) and Honda connector kits and made my own brackets.
Now in original condition (original to me, no fronts and stock rears) the turn signal indicator on the dash worked fine, again a little fast as the rears were also a little fast. I installed the "Honda 04-05" connector kits (the pins slid right into the OEM harness (it doesn't lock in place but it fits and makes good contact) and new LED Arrow markers front and rear. All in all they look great and flash at normal speed, the only issue is the indicator on the dash no longer works/flashes with the turn signals. It lights up when the key is turned on and the dash runs through the test phase but when I hit the turn signal switch it does nothing. Anyone have any ideas what the problem here is?

Gilly · Feb 19th, 2012, 1:46 pm

maybe one of the PO did something to the harness. check for any splices or non oem electircal tape etc??? just fishin

James998FE · Feb 19th, 2012, 1:59 pm

There is a splice in for the rear plate light but I don't think that is the issue since the dash indicator worked yesterday and I believe it would work if I put the stock rear signals back on. The question is why would aftermarket signals cause the dash to stop working??? Thanks for the reply, I'm open to ideas...

craighjr · Feb 19th, 2012, 2:16 pm

There is a hidden menu for service in the cluster that has a bulb/led function maybe that will help?

James998FE · Feb 19th, 2012, 2:20 pm

Rog, I saw a youtube vid on that and did it myself, lamp or led make no difference with my current set up...

Secret Squirrel · Feb 19th, 2012, 2:24 pm

I think this could be a resistance problem. The lack of resistance. LED's draw less voltage to light up. That's why when you have the regular signals on the back and the LED's on the front they flash faster. You have less resistance in the chain with the new front LED signals. I'm thinking that because you now have even less resistance in the chain with LED's at both ends the dash is not flashing because of the lack of resistance. I bet if you put the proper inline resistors on the turn signals. What size I don't know. The goal would be to get the LED signals to flash at the same speed as the OEM signals. I know you said that they're now flashing at about the same speed. Are you sure? I bet the dash indicator will also flash with the right size resistors in the chain. I'm not an electrician, but I feel this could have something to do with your problem. I could be wrong though.

James998FE · Feb 19th, 2012, 2:29 pm

That does sound logical and might be a possibility. Just wondering why when I change the service menu option between "lamp" and "led" it makes no difference? Additionally without the proper resistance one would think the signals would blink faster but they actually look perfect.

Secret Squirrel · Feb 19th, 2012, 2:34 pm

Since they seem to be flashing at the same speed that's making me wonder. Maybe resistance isn't the problem. I'm pretty familiar with Honda's. Many Honda's have running lamp turn signals with an extra wire in the loom and in the factory signals. You can use regular two wire signals on a Honda. You just won't have the marker lights. Could you possibly have them wired wrong?

James998FE · Feb 19th, 2012, 2:38 pm

The "Honda" wiring kits I got is only a two wire so I don't think that is it. The pics were the same spacing distance as the Ducati factory harness clips. The connectors don't clip/lock in and are only held in by slight tension and electrical tape. This way I didn't cut the factory harness. The other end of the connector is standard bullet type connectors.

Secret Squirrel · Feb 19th, 2012, 2:52 pm

Well that's good. So far is sounds like you haven't missed anything. I'm out of ideas. I just know that loose connections or miss wired turn signals can cause strange things to happen. I once had an aftermarket rear turn signal wire that had an intermittent poor connection. It caused the dash lights to pulse and flicker with engine RPM. I believe the bad connection was causing a ground problem. I thought that would only effect the turn signal but somehow the dash was in the chain to. This wasn't on a Ducati though.