Help with LED taillights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dale99 · 07-30-2013, 01:22 PM

I posted this in the electrical section, since it doesnt get much action, I decided to post here.

I have been having trouble with the stock right side break light not working constantly. Seemed the turn worked fine.

So I replaced all the stuff with the led circuit board led lights from lmc, kit 37-0342(I got it 2nd hand, but not used). I installed repo housings.

Once again, the left side seems to work fine. The right side, while works every time, it blinks twice then stays on for breaks. Blinks differently for turns(compared to left side). For the power,I tapped into the wiring under the "bed". I soldering the wires together. For ground, I am still relying on the housing to body contact/screws.

Is this how an led works with poor ground? Other ideas?

mmiddle · 07-30-2013, 01:28 PM

Bad ground can cause this.
also, LED's draw very little power, thus it oftern is not enough to trigger the blinker can on the fuse box. You might have to install a power resister in the wiring to mimic a regular bulb. Also...somewhere at some point I ran across a blinker can that was designed to handle LEDs. You might search for it... it you need too.

Dale99 · 07-30-2013, 03:45 PM

Thanks. I have regular front bulbs to help with the load. I tried going full leds with an "led relay". Nothing worked at all. Installed regular bulbs back up front and things worked.

Will install temp ground to test the ground issue. If it fixes, I will rewire strait to the battery.

Chrome8 · 07-30-2013, 03:56 PM

Try an electronic flasher...

Dale99 · 07-30-2013, 04:20 PM

I think thats what it said it was, and wouldnt work. But also the way the led's light up, it made them dim. while lighted for "park".

Square_78 · 07-30-2013, 07:05 PM

My LED tails won't work in my truck at all. Signals flash and brake lights work but the parking lights don't Light up. The led boards work fine when I connect straight to the battery. Checked the voltage at the rear bulb sockets and its only 9volts. I upgraded all the tail light grounds right to the frame and still the same issue. Not sure what to do now other than trying to maybe replace the headlight switch to get more voltage to the back lights. Seems like there isn't enough juice to light them up. Stock bulbs work fine.
Posted via Mobile Device

Andy4639 · 07-30-2013, 08:24 PM

I went to all LED's in my 71 and had to buy a electric flasher with ground wire on it like this.
U need to clean the sockets really good and make sure you have very good grounds.

2 Terminal Turn Signal Flasher Switch For LED...

Dale99 · 07-30-2013, 09:23 PM

I dont think mine had a ground wire on it?

I no longer have sockets on the rear, which is what my original post was about.

square. I ran my stop/turn from the board, to the same wire on the truck since we dont have separate wires for that.

Andy4639 · 07-31-2013, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale99

I dont think mine had a ground wire on it?

I no longer have sockets on the rear, which is what my original post was about.

square. I ran my stop/turn from the board, to the same wire on the truck since we dont have separate wires for that.

Well if you taped into the wiring and made a straight connection then the only thing it can be is either a bad ground are bad lights. There is nothing else to look at.

Dova · 07-31-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Well if you taped into the wiring and made a straight connection then the only thing it can be is either a bad ground are bad lights. There is nothing else to look at.

X2 the electronic flasher with a ground wire may solve all your problems. And for $12 and some change isn't bad at all.

Dale99 · 08-02-2013, 11:25 AM

Alight, I had a good ground connection.

I contacted the mfg, and basically I have them wired "wrong". They have 2 options for how you want them to work. I hooked both up, and should have only hooked one up. Each side is recognizing differently.

Will have to rewire this weekend.

07-30-2013, 01:22 PM	#1
Dale99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NLR, AR Posts: 1,387	Help with LED taillights I posted this in the electrical section, since it doesnt get much action, I decided to post here. I have been having trouble with the stock right side break light not working constantly. Seemed the turn worked fine. So I replaced all the stuff with the led circuit board led lights from lmc, kit 37-0342(I got it 2nd hand, but not used). I installed repo housings. Once again, the left side seems to work fine. The right side, while works every time, it blinks twice then stays on for breaks. Blinks differently for turns(compared to left side). For the power,I tapped into the wiring under the "bed". I soldering the wires together. For ground, I am still relying on the housing to body contact/screws. Is this how an led works with poor ground? Other ideas? __________________ 2008 Sierra k3500 LMM 1994 s10 blazer 4x4 1991 Camaro Vert Rusted in Half RIP 1972 Jimmy 4x4 L05,4L60E,np205http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=546364 1967 C10 L6/3tree(dads truck)

07-30-2013, 01:28 PM	#2
mmiddle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Forestburg, Texas Posts: 659	Re: Help with LED taillights Bad ground can cause this. also, LED's draw very little power, thus it oftern is not enough to trigger the blinker can on the fuse box. You might have to install a power resister in the wiring to mimic a regular bulb. Also...somewhere at some point I ran across a blinker can that was designed to handle LEDs. You might search for it... it you need too. __________________ Mark Jesus is the Way! 2003 2500HD CCLB Duramax/Ali (Clifford) 2014 2SS/RS black on black Camaro (Betty) 2006 Pontiac SOLSTICE silver/black (Lula-Bell) 1970 C/10 Short Wide (Peggy) 1964 C/10 Short Step (Hambone) RIP Jimmy Hamilton Thank you for the trucks

07-30-2013, 03:45 PM	#3
Dale99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NLR, AR Posts: 1,387	Re: Help with LED taillights Thanks. I have regular front bulbs to help with the load. I tried going full leds with an "led relay". Nothing worked at all. Installed regular bulbs back up front and things worked. Will install temp ground to test the ground issue. If it fixes, I will rewire strait to the battery.

07-30-2013, 03:56 PM	#4
Chrome8 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Park Rapids, MN Posts: 288	Re: Help with LED taillights Try an electronic flasher...

07-30-2013, 04:20 PM	#5
Dale99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NLR, AR Posts: 1,387	Re: Help with LED taillights I think thats what it said it was, and wouldnt work. But also the way the led's light up, it made them dim. while lighted for "park".

07-30-2013, 07:05 PM	#6
Square_78 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada Posts: 1,237	Re: Help with LED taillights My LED tails won't work in my truck at all. Signals flash and brake lights work but the parking lights don't Light up. The led boards work fine when I connect straight to the battery. Checked the voltage at the rear bulb sockets and its only 9volts. I upgraded all the tail light grounds right to the frame and still the same issue. Not sure what to do now other than trying to maybe replace the headlight switch to get more voltage to the back lights. Seems like there isn't enough juice to light them up. Stock bulbs work fine. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ #teamlongbed "I refuse to go disc brakes. I actually love drum brakes. It makes for an adventure." - 50bomb 1978 Chevy shop truck - static 6/8" 1970 GMC 1500 - Accuair eLevel Resto-mod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537497

07-30-2013, 08:24 PM	#7
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Help with LED taillights I went to all LED's in my 71 and had to buy a electric flasher with ground wire on it like this. U need to clean the sockets really good and make sure you have very good grounds. 2 Terminal Turn Signal Flasher Switch For LED... __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

07-30-2013, 09:23 PM	#8
Dale99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NLR, AR Posts: 1,387	Re: Help with LED taillights I dont think mine had a ground wire on it? I no longer have sockets on the rear, which is what my original post was about. square. I ran my stop/turn from the board, to the same wire on the truck since we dont have separate wires for that.

08-02-2013, 11:25 AM	#11
Dale99 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NLR, AR Posts: 1,387	Re: Help with LED taillights Alight, I had a good ground connection. I contacted the mfg, and basically I have them wired "wrong". They have 2 options for how you want them to work. I hooked both up, and should have only hooked one up. Each side is recognizing differently. Will have to rewire this weekend.



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