Electrical For discussions regarding wiring up electrical modifications such as radar detectors, brake light mods, power sockets, and driving lights in Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.

Electrical Faster Flashing Blinkers?

Old Jul 17, 2015 | 03:47 PM
  #1  
Systemlord's Avatar
Systemlord
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 37
From: Mission Viejo, CA
Faster Flashing Blinkers?

I remember back when we just had a simply metal canister blinkers with three prong that plugged in like light bulbs, upgrading to faster flashing blinkers was simpler. Now we have Footwell modules that are complex computer boards, is there a way (other than programming) to make our blinkers flash faster without harming the Footwell module?

Regards,
Systemlord.
 
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2015 | 07:14 PM
  #2  
bmrguy03's Avatar
bmrguy03
4th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 489
Likes: 5
From: Chino, CA
Originally Posted by Systemlord
I remember back when we just had a simply metal canister blinkers with three prong that plugged in like light bulbs, upgrading to faster flashing blinkers was simpler. Now we have Footwell modules that are complex computer boards, is there a way (other than programming) to make our blinkers flash faster without harming the Footwell module? Regards, Systemlord.
Yeah switch to LEDs without canbus or resistors.
 
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2015 | 08:02 PM
  #3  
Minnie.the.Moocher's Avatar
Minnie.the.Moocher
OVERDRIVE
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,391
Likes: 576
From: earth PNW
Old Jul 18, 2015 | 07:11 AM
  #4  
bmrguy03's Avatar
bmrguy03
4th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 489
Likes: 5
From: Chino, CA
Originally Posted by Systemlord
I remember back when we just had a simply metal canister blinkers with three prong that plugged in like light bulbs, upgrading to faster flashing blinkers was simpler. Now we have Footwell modules that are complex computer boards, is there a way (other than programming) to make our blinkers flash faster without harming the Footwell module? Regards, Systemlord.
It can. By default, a vehicle will blink faster if the system thinks one of the blinker bulbs is out (front or rear). In essence, the mods would just trick the vehicle system into thinking one of the turn signal bulbs was out and it would blink at a faster rate on its respective side to let the driver know that a turn signal bulb was out. This is why I recommended just getting some Non canbus LEDs because they draw less current, vehicle often think that the bulb is inoperable. The downside is, being a MINI, you will also get a warning on the dash all the time.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2015 | 07:21 AM
  #5  
2010CHILI's Avatar
2010CHILI
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: NYC/NoVa/R'lyeh
Doing this will get you pulled over and get a fix it ticket. Blinkers should flash around 60 x minute, that is the law
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2015 | 09:39 AM
  #6  
Minnie.the.Moocher's Avatar
Minnie.the.Moocher
OVERDRIVE
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,391
Likes: 576
From: earth PNW
Originally Posted by 2010CHILI
Doing this will get you pulled over and get a fix it ticket. Blinkers should flash around 60 x minute, that is the law
I'd love to see that section of the vehicle code, please post a link.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2015 | 10:11 AM
  #7  
rkw's Avatar
rkw
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 128
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by 2010CHILI
Blinkers should flash around 60 x minute, that is the law
Not true. Show it to us from the vehicle code of any state.
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2015 | 12:22 PM
  #8  
2010CHILI's Avatar
2010CHILI
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: NYC/NoVa/R'lyeh
FORGIVE ME, HERE IS THE NATIONAL LAW, SPECING A FLASH RATE OF 60-120 PER MINUTE




Turn signals are required to blink on and off, or "flash", at a steady rate of between 60 and 120 blinks per minute (1–2 Hz).[SIZE=3][7][/SIZE][SIZE=3][18][/SIZE] International UN Regulations require that all turn signals flash in simultaneous phase;[SIZE=3][18][/SIZE] US regulations permit side marker lights wired for side turn signal functionality to flash in opposite-phase.[SIZE=3][7][/SIZE][SIZE=3][40][/SIZE] An audio and/or visual tell-tale indicator is required, to advise the driver when the turn signals are activated and operating.[SIZE=3][18][/SIZE][SIZE=3][46][/SIZE] This usually takes the form of one or two green indicator lights on the vehicle's instrument cluster, and a cyclical "tick-tock" noise generated electromechanically or electronically. It is also required that the vehicle operator be alerted by much faster- or slower-than-normal flashing in the event a turn signal light fails.[SIZE=3][7][/SIZE][SIZE=3][18][/SIZE]


-and that was just from a 30 second Google search.


This issue has gotten me and others I know cited, or at least pulled over by police in VA, NY, NJ, FL and CA. A fast flashing signal is a sign that the systems relay does not see enough resistance to blink at proper rate. This happens usually for 2 reasons; a blown bulb, or non standard LED bulbs (which I challenge you to find some that are DOT approved). Both of these issues are worthy of fix it tickets. This gives Officer Friendly all the reason he needs to pull you over to see if your signals work properly, and are legit DOT approved lights. I really need any further reasons to get pulled over, so I personally avoid the fast blink rate, you do what you want. If your local cops don't care, good for you. Cops hate me, my cars and my motorcycles and seem pull me over for any damn thing.
I am also a Virginia DOT motorcycle inspector... there are a **** load of light related rules in this state that few people know.
Any idea what the minimal legal distance between signal lights is on a motorcycle?
Front and rear?
Where you are allowed to have red lights on a public use vehicle?
 

Last edited by 2010CHILI; Jul 18, 2015 at 12:42 PM. Reason: more info
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2015 | 12:39 PM
  #9  
rkw's Avatar
rkw
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 128
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by 2010CHILI
Turn signals are required to blink on and off, or "flash", at a steady rate of between 60 and 120 blinks per minute (1–2 Hz).
No blink rate specification in the California vehicle code (and probably not in any other state either): http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/di...le=25250-25282
 
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2015 | 12:45 PM
  #10  
2010CHILI's Avatar
2010CHILI
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: NYC/NoVa/R'lyeh
because the federal law takes precedence. I am really not into a fight over this, so think what you want and I will do the same.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Filmy
Navigation & Audio
6
Jun 28, 2016 08:58 AM
USA-RET
F55/F56 :: Hatch Talk (2014+)
24
Oct 27, 2015 10:42 AM
BushOner
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
3
Sep 29, 2015 08:42 AM
spyder152
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
5
Sep 19, 2015 08:04 PM
ECSTuning
Vendor Announcements
0
Sep 14, 2015 12:48 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:17 PM.