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LED lights flashing eratically
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 12
From: Texas
LED lights flashing eratically
2014 FLHTK
I added two strips of LED lights that have a flashing module under the tank, two plain strips under the bags and two pods on the metal partition under the seat. When the engine is not running the pods and bags burn steady and the flashers follow whatever pattern I select.
When I start the engine, the pods and bags stay constant as they should but now the flashers just flash eratically (sp?). If I hold down the "mode select" button, it will stop and whatever LED's were lit when I pressed the button stay solid. There is no remote, the "mode" button is hard wired.
Could this be over-amp from the coil pack since the wiring is all stuffed in the cavity below/in front of the battery above the coil pack?
Worst case, if I have to take them off, is there a good way to release the 3M adhesive? I used the surface prep so they are stuck on really tight.
I added two strips of LED lights that have a flashing module under the tank, two plain strips under the bags and two pods on the metal partition under the seat. When the engine is not running the pods and bags burn steady and the flashers follow whatever pattern I select.
When I start the engine, the pods and bags stay constant as they should but now the flashers just flash eratically (sp?). If I hold down the "mode select" button, it will stop and whatever LED's were lit when I pressed the button stay solid. There is no remote, the "mode" button is hard wired.
Could this be over-amp from the coil pack since the wiring is all stuffed in the cavity below/in front of the battery above the coil pack?
Worst case, if I have to take them off, is there a good way to release the 3M adhesive? I used the surface prep so they are stuck on really tight.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 472
Likes: 59
From: farmington ny
I believe your bike has a can-bus system,you can't just add or take away lights on that system.A ecm flash is required.beyond this i have no experience with can-bus,maybe some will chime in on exactly what to do.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 12
From: Texas
These are being run off pigtails right off the battery, so they are not hooked into the bike's lighting or electrical system in any way.
I ran a fused wire from the battery to a switch to a wiring block. All the positive sides go to the block. The negatives wired to a block off the negative side. So activating the switch, closes the circuit for all the lights to come on. The lights that are made to be solid work fine, only the ones using the flash mode get affected with the motor running.
I ran a fused wire from the battery to a switch to a wiring block. All the positive sides go to the block. The negatives wired to a block off the negative side. So activating the switch, closes the circuit for all the lights to come on. The lights that are made to be solid work fine, only the ones using the flash mode get affected with the motor running.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 12
From: Texas
They are wired correctly for polarity as if they arent, they dont come on at all. And I would think a bad flasher module could be the case if it happened all the time, but its only when the engine is running.
With the engine off - they operate as they should.
Pretty stumped. I even tucked all the wires into a rubberized sunglasses bag to see if that would help shield them from any signal down below, but that didnt help at all.
I'm just stumped.
I guess I'll pull them off and just replace them with plain color strips that dont change and be happy I have more lights to be seen if not "bedazzle"...:/
With the engine off - they operate as they should.
Pretty stumped. I even tucked all the wires into a rubberized sunglasses bag to see if that would help shield them from any signal down below, but that didnt help at all.
I'm just stumped.
I guess I'll pull them off and just replace them with plain color strips that dont change and be happy I have more lights to be seen if not "bedazzle"...:/
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 774
From: Under Alot of Trees
To test your theory (over-amp from the coil pack), if you could remove the flashing module from the bike and set it maybe 8-10 feet away from the bike, then connect temporary jumpers back to the two strips of LED lights in question. To release the 3M adhesive, here is a link with some options, including, 3M Adhesive Remover...a little pricey for a small job but there are cheaper options like Goo Gone or Duck brand
I have used WD 40 with a micro fiber cloth to remove goo. Then follow up with rubbing alcohol and a micro fiber cloth to remove the oily residue. GENTLY is key word there.
Also some heat with a blow dryer on LOW SETTING from several inches away will help to loosen and soften it before using chemicals.
If shielding is the issue, try wrapping in foil instead of rubber. Lastly, maybe the vendor can suggest or help trouble shoot the issue. I LOVE Custom Dynamics because of their customer service, and they also answer the phone when you call, just in case you decide to try a different brand of electronics
Good Luck gremlin chasing, it is frustrating
Also some heat with a blow dryer on LOW SETTING from several inches away will help to loosen and soften it before using chemicals.
If shielding is the issue, try wrapping in foil instead of rubber. Lastly, maybe the vendor can suggest or help trouble shoot the issue. I LOVE Custom Dynamics because of their customer service, and they also answer the phone when you call, just in case you decide to try a different brand of electronics
Good Luck gremlin chasing, it is frustrating
Last edited by sparkalot; Jul 27, 2017 at 11:22 AM. Reason: spelling IC, added words
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 774
From: Under Alot of Trees
Funny story....kind of....since I posted my suggestions for @cwickgo9 a couple of days ago, my strobe module went south.....it does happen......I called my favorite electronics vendor that I had bought it from, which is Custom Dynamics, spoke to a tech...we worked out a replacement plan under warranty (5 year warranty) , and I am back in business.......it also reminded me to check all lighting functions often, and tire pressure too 
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 601
Likes: 12
From: Texas
Gave up on getting them to work. Pulled them off and replaced with a standard strip of lights from custom dynamics (60% off from an indy closing sale woohoo!) and they work perfect, so at least I'm "lit" again and hopefully more visible.
On another note, I installed the filler lights from custom dynamics as well. Good LORD they are BRIGHT even in the Texas sun!
On another note, I installed the filler lights from custom dynamics as well. Good LORD they are BRIGHT even in the Texas sun!