Author Topic: Fixing the fast blinker with LED's for FREE! (Read 12954 times)

4RnrRick · « **on:** Apr 12, 2006, 09:39:37 AM »

Well in searching the web for what resistor I needed to install with my rear LED lights, to stop the epileptic fast blinker because it didn't see enough resistance in the circuit I came across this website: http://www.mesa4x4.com/tech_articles/flasher/flasher.html

Here, he described a way where you could modify the flasher module to eliminate the lamp failure detector circuit. See when you add a resistor to the circuit, your just adding another power draw and the energy put into the resistor is going to create heat, which is just a waste of battery power and a source of a possible future failure. Unfortionately this site showed how to do it on a TJ, not a Toyota. So that got me to thinking of trying a simliar binker mod on my Toyota.

So I pulled the flasher module (green box) out of the fuse box, located in the driver side kick panel. Then I popped it open, and to my surprise, there was no intergrated circuit; just a small circuit board with resistors, capacitors and some other stuff on it. Makes sense since its a 20 year old vehicle......

So after looking it over a bit (I'm not that great with electronics, but I know enough to get into trouble.... so you electricans are going to cringe at this) I decided to just start trying stuff by unsoldering parts from the ciruit board and use the trial and error method....

Well on the 4th try I got! Which by the way only took about 15 minutes.

So to break the circuit that controls the lamp failure detection, just remove the resistor I got circled in the picture below. I just unsoldered mine by using a pair of needle nose pliers on the resistor and heating up the joints on the back side and it came right out.

So there you go - a nice easy and FREE mod to fixing the fast epileptic syndrome with running LED's tail lights or running your front marker lights as blinkers.

BTW if you want add the resistor, then you will need a 6 ohm - 50 Watt resistor like this: http://superbrightleds.com/tail-brake-turn.html (bottom of page)

Oh and for the search - Toyota Flasher 81980-22070

4RnrRick · « **Reply #1 on:** Apr 12, 2006, 09:40:59 AM »

It sounds like the 3rd gen trucks have a IC (Intergrated Circuit), then its going to take a bit of work to figure it out, but it shouldn't be that hard. just find the model number on the IC and run it through the search here ( http://www.atmel.com ) or symiliar web site. Then by looking at the info you can determine that the lamp failure detection is controled by pin #7. Follow that on the ciruit board to a 'trace' that can be cut. Just like they did on this web site: http://www.mesa4x4.com/tech_articles/flasher/flasher.html please note that these images are for the IC used on a 98-00 TJ.....NOT a Toyota - but it could be the same one.

BigMike · « **Reply #2 on:** Apr 12, 2006, 11:02:24 AM »

Hey Rick

Dude, this is great to know. I will be trying this on my 1st gen wiring tonight and I will post the results of my testings.

Ever since I put on our front bumper, I have had no front turn signals. So naturally I have the annoying Rice Rocket blinkers, and despite popular belief, I can not turn twice as fast as before

Well I tried the Resistor method already, since I know that bulbs are no more than a resistor, by testing the resistance across the bulb at rest. But I later found that that resistance was not sufficient to return my blinker rate to stock, and that must be due to the fact the a light bulb generates more resistance as it gets lit up.

Anyways, that was a while ago and I have not done anything about it since. I really hate having the fast blinker rate and it even causes me to not use my blinkers most of the time because I am embarrassed to use them.

Well this is great idea! I am all over it tonight, as I will be here at the shop late getting my bed bobbed

Cheers $Beer Chug\'n$ and a point for you

BigMike

KYOTA · « **Reply #3 on:** Apr 12, 2006, 11:41:54 AM »

let us know what you find out Mike, I'm looking for the info on first gens

gotrocks · « **Reply #4 on:** Apr 12, 2006, 02:16:04 PM »

I'll be interested to know as well. my blinkers are spastic right now and I know I'm annoying people when I'm at turning.

4RnrRick · « **Reply #5 on:** Apr 12, 2006, 02:20:38 PM »

Quote from: gotrocks on Apr 12, 2006, 02:16:04 PM

I'll be interested to know as well. my blinkers are spastic right now and I know I'm annoying people when I'm at turning.

Should work perfect for you since you have a second gen truck! (assuming your signature is up to date....)

gotrocks · « **Reply #6 on:** Apr 12, 2006, 02:27:45 PM »

yea 1 gen runner but 2 gen wireing harness

reklund5 · « **Reply #7 on:** Apr 12, 2006, 08:31:39 PM »

Killer info Rick! With my flatbed project, I'll be running LED's in the rear and was already planning on having to address this issue!

Thanks for figuring it out for me!

Ryan

4RnrRick · « **Reply #8 on:** Apr 13, 2006, 08:11:48 AM »

Its been determined on PBB that 87+ vehicles use a flasher with a IC. and as of right now it doesn't loke like anyone has figured that one out yet. but it should be fairly simple as I noted above.

reklund5 · « **Reply #9 on:** Apr 23, 2006, 06:15:16 PM »

Fixed my flasher relay this morning after installing my new LED taillights on the truck. Thanks again for the great tip Rick!

Ryan

$Beer Chug\'n$

BigMike · « **Reply #10 on:** Apr 24, 2006, 11:07:56 PM »

So like I guess I was supposed to look into this huh? ehhhhh hmmmmmm

I will be doing some *top secret* work to my rig this weekend, so looks like I'll have to add this to the list

I'll report back what I figure out-

synwars · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2006, 07:19:43 AM »

I got the same flasher module in my '82!!! THANKS FOR THE TIP RICK!!! It saves me some time and money fuh sho!!! $Beer Chug\'n$

MUDDONKEY · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2006, 03:06:46 PM »

WITH THIS TRICK, I CAN RUN MY FRONT MARKERS AS TURN SIGNALS? PLEASE EXPLAIN!!!

Skinny_Pedal · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2006, 04:28:01 PM »

what about using an el-12 flasher?

KYOTA · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2006, 05:03:58 PM »

Quote from: BigMike on Apr 24, 2006, 11:07:56 PM

So like I guess I was supposed to look into this huh? ehhhhh hmmmmmm

I will be doing some *top secret* work to my rig this weekend, so looks like I'll have to add this to the list

I'll report back what I figure out-

Same exact module in my 83 as the one Rick posted pics of above

KYOTA · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2006, 05:04:51 PM »

Quote from: Skinny_Pedal on May 04, 2006, 04:28:01 PM

what about using an el-12 flasher?

$12-$14
Rick's trick= free

synwars · « **Reply #16 on:** May 04, 2006, 07:01:32 PM »

Quote from: MUDDONKEY on May 04, 2006, 03:06:46 PM

WITH THIS TRICK, I CAN RUN MY FRONT MARKERS AS TURN SIGNALS? PLEASE EXPLAIN!!!

Negative. That is a whole nother modification. This is for those who run LED signal lights, such as those that you may install in a flatbed...

4RnrRick · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2006, 08:32:30 AM »

Sorry but I disagree synwars.....

YES - this also works for people that have plugged there blinker light wiring harness in to their parking light. see the resistance on the parking light bulbs is less than the resistance of the blinker lights, hence your blinker will flash fast thinking the bulb is burnt out (same thing with LED lights). so with this mod - you eliminate the low resistance circuit and your blinker will flash at the correct rate.

synwars · « **Reply #18 on:** May 15, 2006, 07:21:41 AM »

Quote from: 4RnrRick on May 12, 2006, 08:32:30 AM

Sorry but I disagree synwars.....

YES - this also works for people that have plugged there blinker light wiring harness in to their parking light. see the resistance on the parking light bulbs is less than the resistance of the blinker lights, hence your blinker will flash fast thinking the bulb is burnt out (same thing with LED lights). so with this mod - you eliminate the low resistance circuit and your blinker will flash at the correct rate.

After reading your post, I must admit I answered without fully understanding the question. That does make sense though, that that trick can be applied to any situation in which there is low resistance on that relay's circuit.

Sorry for the confusion.

MUDDONKEY · « **Reply #19 on:** May 15, 2006, 07:58:41 AM »

thanks 4rnrick, this will help out huge!! no more avoiding five- ohhhh

weirdtimes_7 · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 19, 2007, 04:16:29 AM »

Has no one tried this on a 3rd gen yet??? I guess i will have to be the one who tries it.... oh well

military_stang

weirdtimes_7 · « **Reply #21 on:** Apr 24, 2007, 08:01:01 AM »

If anyone has done this in the 3rd gen trucks, please PM me or post it on here, i really don't wanna go into this blind....

military_stang

THK Matt · « **Reply #22 on:** May 18, 2008, 07:37:19 PM »

Quote from: 4RnrRick on May 12, 2006, 08:32:30 AM

Sorry but I disagree synwars.....

YES - this also works for people that have plugged there blinker light wiring harness in to their parking light. see the resistance on the parking light bulbs is less than the resistance of the blinker lights, hence your blinker will flash fast thinking the bulb is burnt out (same thing with LED lights). so with this mod - you eliminate the low resistance circuit and your blinker will flash at the correct rate.

hey rick.... would that make the parking lamp blink brighter? they are kind of dim during the day....

4RnrRick · « **Reply #23 on:** May 19, 2008, 08:02:37 AM »

Quote from: that HO pimp on May 18, 2008, 07:37:19 PM

hey rick.... would that make the parking lamp blink brighter? they are kind of dim during the day....

No, you would need to install a higher wattage light bulb for that... Unfortionately I don't think there is room for a bigger bulb.

THK Matt · « **Reply #24 on:** May 19, 2008, 05:42:36 PM »

Quote from: 4RnrRick on May 19, 2008, 08:02:37 AM

No, you would need to install a higher wattage light bulb for that... Unfortionately I don't think there is room for a bigger bulb.

these 84-88 lamp assemblies have no room at all. i think the only real way to notice them is with clear lenses and a orange bulb.
thanks for that clarity

ajordan1975 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 19, 2008, 05:50:35 PM »

this is great. i'm going to have to do this soon. thanks for the tip!

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