led tail light issues

[98singlecab]

I was having issues with my tail lights on my 85 ranger and decided to try the led replacement bulbs. My son's car gad no issues but when I turn on either turn signal I get 4 ways. I've grounded both bulbs even deleting the ground going back to the switch. Before the leds the lights worked great.

 

[B4]

Singlecab, not sure if a flasher unit or the resistors would affect your problem... But this is what I saw on superbrightled's website: https://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb_notes.php.

Hopefully I don't get in trouble for linking to another website! Can't find the other posts that I saw awhile back about putting resistors inline to affect the current drawn... But maybe that will help if each light had one wired in?

 

[98singlecab]

thanks I will try a new flasher unit for led lights

 

[NEVERDONE86]

I had to wire in the resisters to get my led tail lights to work.

 

[CAD]

changed all of my lights to Led and had to solder in 12v diodes (from radio shack) in the parking light wires at each light, otherwise when I turned on the turn signals all lights flashed including dash. Used an electronic flasher from superbrightleds and everything works great now.

 

[98singlecab]

how do I wire in the resistors???

 

[B4]

So you did the upgraded flasher AND soldered in those diodes? Just one option wasn't enough to get 'em to work good?

 

[98singlecab]

bought an electric flasher still have the bleed over when lights are off if my lights are on they work perfectly

 

[CAD]

Because of the way the lamps are made, half of the bulb is lit with the lights on and the other half flashes when you put on the turn signal. with the lights off the entire lamp flashes which back feeds current through the parking light circuit, hence the need for the diode in the wire just before every park light front and back. newer vehicles, depending on make, have a diode in the parking light circuit, my Mercedes had it at the headlight switch. Could have probably got away with one diode in the system at the switch but since I had all the lights out already and for .55 cents each, I went ahead and put them in before the lamp socket and sealed them with some shrink tube.

 

[98singlecab]

Cool thanks. How am I supposed to wire in the diode/resistor

 

[CAD]

You need to purchase 4 -12v diodes from Radio Shack and at the park turn signal plugs at the lamp socket cut the hot wire going to the parking lamp. If I remember right it is the brown wire, double check to make sure. unwrap the electrical tape wrap on the wiring and slip a small shrink tube on the wire, you can purchase this at Radio Shack also. cut out about an inch and a half of the wire and trim the leads on the diode to about two inches, do this so that the overall wire length remains the same. There is a band of color on one end of the diode which marks the cathode side (this is the side that blocks the flow of current from that direction). this side goes to the lamp socket and will stop the back feeding of current when the turn signals are on. After you solder both ends into the parking lamp wire pull the shrink tube over the diode and solder joints and with a lighter heat up the shrink tube to seal everything. Rewrap the harness with electrical tape and repeat this procedure on the other three lamp sockets front and back. and all should be good.

 

[98singlecab]

thanks CAD,and others. I really appreciate it. I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to working on my cars I just like to get a full and complete understanding when it comes to stuff I've never done before.

 

[CAD]

No problem, hope it helps you out. By the way your not the only one who likes to see the full picture before jumping in head first on a project.

 

[B4]

Ah, I was WONDERING how those diodes were supposed to go (try to get it done myself now). Thanks for the info, CAD!