LED Lighting

firemansam1

I replaced the rear lighting on a van recently. The person I did it for got LED lighting sets. Nice units, with a seperate reverse light, seperate indicator and seperate stop/tail. All 3 units mount within a single enclosure to give a nice all in unit.

2 small problems arose.

1. The indicators now flash faster than they should. I THINK I know the reason for this, the circuit thinks there's a blown bulb as there isn't enough resistance.

2. When you turn on the tail lights the tail unit lights brightly, but when you then press the brake, there is barely no difference in the level of lighting from only having the tail on. The tail/stop unit has 3 wires, 1 ground and 1 each for the brake and tail. I've checked and im 100% sure that all is connected properly.

Can anyone shed any "light" on the second problem or recommend a fix for the first.

Thanks

Ask any questions????

firemansam1

Did some snooping on the tinternet myself.

Would these solve my indicator problem.

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/2pcs-Load-Resistor-Fix-LED-Bulb-Fast-Flash-Turn-Signal-Blink-Blinker-25W-8ohm-/170938108618?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27ccb48aca#ht_5505wt_952

visual

The resistors you have linked should work. Solving your first issue.

The 2 problem with tail light coming on very bright and when brakes applied not making much difference.
it sounds like the running light is connected to brake curcuit and brake light to running light circuit. Try Swapping them over

CJhaughey

The LED bulb might be faulty, check with a standard incandescent bulb and if it works then the LED faulty.
If it doesn't work then the wiring/bulb holder is your prob.

alexlyons

could it be a resistance thing with the tail light as well?

Not overly educated on these things, but could it be the fact that the led requires less power to light as bright, so the power required for a tail light, in fact is enough to light the led almost fully, and then the power supplied by the brake light increases the light to full, but as it's nearly there, there is no difference really..?

firemansam1

visual wrote: »

The resistors you have linked should work. Solving your first issue.

The 2 problem with tail light coming on very bright and when brakes applied not making much difference.
it sounds like the running light is connected to brake curcuit and brake light to running light circuit. Try Swapping them over

Thought of that all right but it's not the case

OldmanMondeo

Does your car have CAMBUS in it? If so you need a Cambus canceller. These are easy to install, no wiring needed. Here is a link to the Philips part (I think).

http://www.philips.co.uk/c/car-lamps/cea-12956x2/prd/

These would be around €20.00

visual

firemansam1 wrote: »

Thought of that all right but it's not the case

As there is only 3 wires; earth, tail running light and brake light try testing LED lamps dirrectly from 12 volt battery. It will prove the lamp unit is working or a problem with connections wiring.

MercMad

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Does your car have CAMBUS in it? If so you need a Cambus canceller. These are easy to install, no wiring needed. Here is a link to the Philips part (I think).

http://www.philips.co.uk/c/car-lamps/cea-12956x2/prd/

These would be around €20.00

.........I reckon this is right on the money. Most CanBus systems will offer a substitute light if a bulb fails, basically glowing another light also. So if there is no resistance, due to the LED's, then the CanBus may be reacting to this.