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Indicators Flashing TOO FAST

4.3K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Stu_CDX  
#1 ·
Just fitted some fancy new indicator bulbs to the Omega (LED) and they look great with the hazzards flashing, but when the indicator is used, they flash like crazy and I don't know why... I need them to work, but I also like the way they look!!

Any help would be much appriciated:beer:
 
#4 ·
Bulbs flashing rapidly normally means either one of them gone or one them is the worng wattage, ie too high or low.
 
#5 ·
You might be using lower wattage bulbs, or even LED cluster type bulbs, so if all your new bulbs are ok but flashing fast, then you will need to put an extra load on the indicator circuit which you can do in several ways, you can buy a big watty resistor something like 12 ohms 12 watt ( actual ohms depends on what load is there on the circuit now so this is just a basic guess and will have to be by ttrial & error ) but as I said add a 12 ohm resistor this should add approx 1 amp load to the indicator circuit, or you could add a 10 Ohms 15Watt resitor for 1.2 amp load, these resistors can be expensive, and alternatively you could use the standard indicator bulb wired across the indicator circuit inside thye engine acting as a load and neately and safely tucked away ensuring that it doesn't short against anything and secured properly in a proper bulb holder, leaving the bulb part uncovered i.e do not wrap any tape on it to block light as this may get very hot and a possible fire risk.


I think Dom suggested something similar like adding a resitor across recently to another member who had the same problem, I am not sure what resitor value he came up with.
 
#6 ·
I don't know what sort of flasher unit Vauxhall's use, but if it's an old-style bi-matallic job, I'd say the wattage was too high, causing it to heat up too fast and not leaving the bulbs on for long enough.

I strongly doubt that it is one of these types, though, as they're a bit olde worlde.
 
#7 ·
Theoratically you may be correct in what you are saying Jack, but in practice according to my experience when one of a bulb blows in an indicator circuit the flashing rate goes up higher, which suggests that the rate increases with lower load. Here is what I think it does:

A flasher that relies on bi-metallic control will not heat up sufficiently on a lower lamp load, so consequently it will not have deformed enough due to lower heat developed in it by lesser bulb load, so it cools down rapidly and returns to its original position quickly and thus causing a faster flash rate, so when the indicator bulb load is correct, it will deform more and therefore will take slightly longer time to return to its original position and so the flash rate would be normal, and consequently on a very high load it will heat far too much deforming even more and requiring longer time to cool and return to its normal position so a slower flash rate
 
#8 ·
Just fitted some fancy new indicator bulbs to the Omega (LED)
Read carefully :p

You dont have enough load on the system - the flasher relay is assuming that due to the reduced load there are one or more bulbs blown.

As MSG said above - you need to fit a resistor or two across each LED unit.
 
#9 ·
There are what appear to be resistors on the board at the back of the LED cluster??

I only chose them cos' they look quite cool on the buses down here as there's no delay when going on and off - If you know what I mean...

I'll go back to standard bulbs.... I aint messing around with all this new-fangled rubbish :beer:
 
#10 ·
Thats the easiest way of doing it lmao.

If you have clear indicator lenses and want to get rid of the yellow egg yolk effect that you get using orange bulbs then have a look at my webshop - I sell silver coated indicator bulbs which look quite nice in clear lenses.
 
#11 ·
I modified a flasher relay for a longer delay.

Still need a couple of side repeater bulbs fitted or they don't flash at all.
 
#12 ·
I have the dark ones on my omega (Standard for '94...) But they don't show up well in sunlight cos obviously, light bulbs take time to light up! Where as LEDS are instant and take no time, and are less drain on the electrical system (I can't stand my MFD dimming everytime I turn the hazards on - On motorways I just don't thank people - Correction, when my mate is driving, I tell him not to use them!)

Will the new shape omega rear lights fit on the back of my old one? If so, I'd like to use them!

Maybe they'll be better and save someone sailing into the back of my precious :beer: lol