why won't my L.E.D's work???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

NORCAL_GUY73 · 02-27-2004, 11:51 PM

Hey there guys,
Well I recieved my L.E.D. light conversion from Brothers and the damn things will not function properly. if I put the socket all the way into the socket hole the lights and turn them to secure them, they will not operate, if i pull it out slightly it will come on? Yet if I throw the 1157 bulb back in everything works like a champ. Enough to piss some one off after spending over a hundred bucks for brake lights... Does any one know a cure or have run into this problem, Please, please, please help...

thanks
Brad

cdowns · 02-28-2004, 12:14 AM

i think i read somewhere that you need a special type of blinker for leds

dinnut · 02-28-2004, 12:15 AM

you probably need electronic flashers. most auto parts stores sell them

Longhorn Man · 02-28-2004, 01:32 AM

Doesn't sound like he's having problems with the flasher, poor contact with the socket.
Try running some sand paper through the light socket on the ground portion (the portion that holds the side of the bilb) and then also ensure there is no corrosion or old grease on the contacts.

**68Custom** · 02-28-2004, 02:34 AM

I was having the same problem on my truck... i was told to wrap aluminum foil around the base of it to try for better contact. It did work sort of. I'm not exactly sure if the LED's i got were just junk to begin with, but to finish this out, I gave up on it.

Aaron

FirstGen · 02-28-2004, 03:10 AM

I'd be pissed. If it was me I would just solder them in and quit jacking with it... But you probably don't want to butch the harness I suppose.

krue · 02-28-2004, 03:15 AM

Battery brush works well for cleaning light sockets. Unhook the battery cables first.

A.P. · 02-28-2004, 06:27 AM

I second with cleaning the sockets.

A.P.

Longhorn Man · 02-28-2004, 09:15 AM

no need to disconnect the battery, just make d@mn sure your lights aren't on.

Inthuwind · 02-28-2004, 12:29 PM

I don't know if this is relevant, but I put LED turnsignals on my Harley and they required an overload capacitor. Anyone else heard of this???

71elect · 02-28-2004, 10:41 PM

I agree with cleaning the sockets.

Longhorn Man · 02-29-2004, 01:40 AM

Quote:

overload capacitor. Anyone else heard of this???

Never heard of it. I have mine wired directly to the harness, an electronic flasher, and zero problems.

NORCAL_GUY73 · 02-29-2004, 03:05 AM

the part that stumps me is i can simply replace them with the original 1157 bulbs and they work perfectly. I will try cleaning the socket area again, but they appear non corroded. Does any one have the part number for the electronic flasher?

thanks

neonlarry · 02-29-2004, 01:16 PM

Just a long shot but those plugs for the LED's are special made items , check the clocking of the terminals vs the side locks compared to your std. 1157 bulb. Like I said a long shot but you never know.

**N2TRUX** · 02-29-2004, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by neonlarry
Just a long shot but those plugs for the LED's are special made items , check the clocking of the terminals vs the side locks compared to your std. 1157 bulb. Like I said a long shot but you never know.

That's the first thing I thought of too. If the pins aren't clocked correctly you aren't making proper contact kinda like putting an 1156 or 1157 in backwards it may go in. but it won't come on...

Andy4639 · 02-29-2004, 08:29 PM

I got mine for Christmas, and ran into the same problem. I ended up cutting some small sheet of thin metal I had and laying them in the sockets with the bulb plug to make it tighter fitting, haven't had no more problems with them, they work great.
I didn't use the electric flasher that came with mine though. The guy my wife talked to at Early Classic's said it wouldn't work without it, but it does. I still have the flasher in my shop.
Here is a picture of them after I got done.

**PICKMUP** · 02-29-2004, 09:00 PM

Don't be in too big a hurry to "rag" on the LED's/seller until you are sure of the problem. If it is a defect, it can happen, you know they will make it good and work it all out with you.
These LED TLs are cool!...but you are working with a 30 year old vehicle. Try them in another vehicle/TL socket. Switch sides with the LEDs to see if it is the light or the socket.
You only need the electronic flasher if you have LEDs in both the front & back of vehicle. The front bulbs will make you normal flasher work, but it may be faster. If you want a slower, more deliberate flashing, then go ahead and put in the electonic...any auto parts store has them.

02-27-2004, 11:51 PM	#1
NORCAL_GUY73 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ukiah, California Posts: 121	why won't my L.E.D's work???? Hey there guys, Well I recieved my L.E.D. light conversion from Brothers and the damn things will not function properly. if I put the socket all the way into the socket hole the lights and turn them to secure them, they will not operate, if i pull it out slightly it will come on? Yet if I throw the 1157 bulb back in everything works like a champ. Enough to piss some one off after spending over a hundred bucks for brake lights... Does any one know a cure or have run into this problem, Please, please, please help... thanks Brad

02-28-2004, 12:14 AM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i think i read somewhere that you need a special type of blinker for leds __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-28-2004, 12:15 AM	#3
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	you probably need electronic flashers. most auto parts stores sell them __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

02-28-2004, 02:34 AM	#5
68Custom Hammer On! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 473	I was having the same problem on my truck... i was told to wrap aluminum foil around the base of it to try for better contact. It did work sort of. I'm not exactly sure if the LED's i got were just junk to begin with, but to finish this out, I gave up on it. Aaron __________________ 1968 C20 Inline 6 250 SM465 4 speed 1968 K10 Inline 6 250 SM465 4 speed

02-28-2004, 03:10 AM	#6
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	I'd be pissed. If it was me I would just solder them in and quit jacking with it... But you probably don't want to butch the harness I suppose. __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

02-28-2004, 01:32 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Doesn't sound like he's having problems with the flasher, poor contact with the socket. Try running some sand paper through the light socket on the ground portion (the portion that holds the side of the bilb) and then also ensure there is no corrosion or old grease on the contacts.

02-28-2004, 03:15 AM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Battery brush works well for cleaning light sockets. Unhook the battery cables first. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

02-28-2004, 06:27 AM	#8
A.P. Black 72 Chevy Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 662	I second with cleaning the sockets. A.P. __________________ 72 Chevy, SWB, 350engine, TH400

02-28-2004, 09:15 AM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	no need to disconnect the battery, just make d@mn sure your lights aren't on.

02-28-2004, 12:29 PM	#10
Inthuwind Straight jacket required Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 882	I don't know if this is relevant, but I put LED turnsignals on my Harley and they required an overload capacitor. Anyone else heard of this??? __________________ 1968 C10 Short Stepper 350/350 A/C P/S P/B Front disc 3/5 static/ 12bolt rear 3:73 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary/455/4spd 2011 H-D Street Glide - CAMMED n lowered Dad always said,"Son, if you can't be good...be good at it."

02-28-2004, 10:41 PM	#11
71elect Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Southern Idaho Posts: 59	I agree with cleaning the sockets. __________________ 72Chevy swb 4x4 71GMC swb 2x4

02-29-2004, 03:05 AM	#13
NORCAL_GUY73 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ukiah, California Posts: 121	the part that stumps me is i can simply replace them with the original 1157 bulbs and they work perfectly. I will try cleaning the socket area again, but they appear non corroded. Does any one have the part number for the electronic flasher? thanks

02-29-2004, 01:16 PM	#14
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Just a long shot but those plugs for the LED's are special made items , check the clocking of the terminals vs the side locks compared to your std. 1157 bulb. Like I said a long shot but you never know. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

02-29-2004, 08:29 PM	#16
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	LED'S I got mine for Christmas, and ran into the same problem. I ended up cutting some small sheet of thin metal I had and laying them in the sockets with the bulb plug to make it tighter fitting, haven't had no more problems with them, they work great. I didn't use the electric flasher that came with mine though. The guy my wife talked to at Early Classic's said it wouldn't work without it, but it does. I still have the flasher in my shop. Here is a picture of them after I got done. __________________ 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.

02-29-2004, 09:00 PM	#17
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,158	Don't be in too big a hurry to "rag" on the LED's/seller until you are sure of the problem. If it is a defect, it can happen, you know they will make it good and work it all out with you. These LED TLs are cool!...but you are working with a 30 year old vehicle. Try them in another vehicle/TL socket. Switch sides with the LEDs to see if it is the light or the socket. You only need the electronic flasher if you have LEDs in both the front & back of vehicle. The front bulbs will make you normal flasher work, but it may be faster. If you want a slower, more deliberate flashing, then go ahead and put in the electonic...any auto parts store has them. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170



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