I am sure a lot of you are already aware of this, but thought I would pass along none the less. Driving the truck yesterday and turned on the right turn signal to make a turn. I noticed the relay (if they even still have them) was clicking much faster than normal (about double speed) and the green indicator in the dash was going the same speed. I tried the left turn signal and it was operating normally. I thought....oh no, this could indicate one of those electrical problems that are always hard to find and fix. When I parked I turned on the right signal, got out and did a walk around. Both the front signal and the one on the mirrow were blinking the double speed (but working) and the rear signal was doing nothing. So....when I got home I decided to try something. I took both rear tail lights out and swapped bulbs. As I did that, the problem shifted to the left side. I thought, wow, could a bulb being out cause the "relay" to go to double speed? I ran down to the parts store, bought a new bulb and everything is just fine now. Like I said, I am sure a lot of you knew about this, but it was new to me. Just passing along the info. -Glenn

 

Most vehicles do that. That lets you know you have a bulb out somewhere. I can see how it would freak you out if you didn't know about it.

Lots of people have that problem when they replace their bulbs with LED ones. They don't draw enough on the circuit and the flasher relay reacts as though a bulb is out.

Learn something new every day.

 

No flasher relays in these trucks, but the SJB (Smart Junction Box) that controls the lighting (passenger footwell) monitors the current and will flag lamp out conditions on the signal circuits.

If I recall the body builder's guide available on the BBAS site has a table that lists the minimum and maximum currents and other information for each lighting circuit and has additional information for LED lamp conversions.

Some of the lighting circuits such as the headlights support PWM control to allow dimming as you see when the lights turn off after the delay.

 

Now if it would do something for all those people with headlights that are out that would be great.

 

Have them start flashing rapidly? Seems unsafe...people might think you are a cop or something.

 

Doesn't have to flash the lights but maybe have the message center display the issue, i.e. HEADLIGHT OUT STUPID

 

Not trying to "bash" anyone or anything, but on the headlight issue.....have any of you noticed that most of the vehicles you see headlights out on are GM products? I have always found that strange.

 

Pretty sure most people knew this, but glad you learned it now anyway! Better late then never!

Now, the biggest thing that annoys me is how many cars and trucks have their 3rd brake light out! There is also no warning or indication for that. I bet 50% of the people on this forum have their 3rd brake light out and don't even know it! Hell even when I bought my truck it was out!

 

[quote=ETKMS;10596000]Pretty sure most people knew this, but glad you learned it now anyway! Better late then never!

Thanks for making me feel even better about not knowing this ETKMS......

Guess I have just been lucky and not had a lot of bulb issues over the years that would have caused me to have to learn this earlier. Was simply attempting to pass info on to those that may benefit.

 

[quote=Glenn Jenne;10596069]How on earth did what i say seem to hurt your feelings???

 

[quote=ETKMS;10596090]I'm fine. Just don't know how I never ran across this issue before if "most people knew this". I have had 5 of these trucks now since by 2000 F-250 and have never known the trucks had this "feature" and I am pretty mechanically and electrically inclined. Really, I'm fine...just feel a little left out on the knowledge I guess. -Glenn

 

Thanks Master Chief, one of those tid bits that will surely come up one day.

 

Your welcome my friend.....

Wow, coming up on 5 years since I retired from 26 years in the submarine service now and started the new job. Really going by fast.

 

I've been out since 1997 and had 8 years in. Still the best time of my life, probably always will be. Anything else is just a job.