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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

L.E.D. cluster light problems

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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 08:48 PM
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L.E.D. cluster light problems

Okay so I ordered a new cluster with a built in tach but like an idiot i ordered one with gauges instead of dummy lights like what I have so that didnt work. I figured since i already had it out i would pop some led lights in the old one. I got blue 194 led lights and put them in and finally got everything back together but when i cranked it up only half the lights lit up, the left turn signal didnt blink but still worked outside, and my charge light was on but i think it was still charging. Do yall think the lights are just just loose or is it possible to put them in the wrong place?
Also what style lights go in the wiper and light switch area along with the a/c control area?

Thanks, John
 
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Old Nov 15, 2014 | 10:24 PM
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It is very possible to get LED's in backward such that they won't light. Take them out and put them back 1/2 turn off of where they are.

I don't know what the wiper/headlight bulb is, but when you pull the instrument bezel you can take it off to see.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 07:45 AM
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You will probably have to run a regular bulb in the charge light socket. The LED doesn't take hardly any current to run it, so it's probably not going to work correctly in this location.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 07:49 AM
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Good point, Dave. I'd not thought of that.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 08:06 AM
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Okay ill put the regular bulb on the charge light and flip the ones that dont shine. Ill get back with yall.

Thanks, John
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 08:39 AM
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Don't all these trucks run a ~500 ohm resistor across the socket or flex circuit so the truck still charges if the bulb burns out?

If not, just go to RadioShack and buy a sleeve of resistors.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 08:45 AM
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All of those with idiot lights do, but those with ammeter don't, as shown below:




 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 08:50 AM
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The Tach cluster in my '87 has a resistor.
I don't have the EVTM for earlier trucks.

It should be simple (and cheap) to solder a resistor across the traces or the lampholder itself.
It will not affect operation, and then all the "bulbs" would appear the same.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 08:53 AM
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I'm lost, Jim. His cluster surely has the resistor.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Gary Lewis
I'm lost, Jim. His cluster surely has the resistor.
Then why would he need to run a bulb in order to excite the alternator into charging???

Seems that I am the one who is missing the point.
Could you clear it up for me?
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 09:05 AM
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He doesn't need the bulb to excite the alternator. But he does need it for an indicator that there is a charging problem.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 09:18 AM
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So, the resistor passes too much current to illuminate the LED?
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 09:21 AM
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Im pretty sure the truck is still charging because i took it about 5 miles to town with light on. Killed it and went in and got a pizza and it cranked right up. No signs of a weak battery just the light shining.

Thanks, John
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 09:24 AM
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I think the resistor has enough voltage drop to let the LED turn on - even when all is well. An incandescent bulb would take more voltage and/or draw enough current to not light.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2014 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Gary Lewis
I think the resistor has enough voltage drop to let the LED turn on - even when all is well. An incandescent bulb would take more voltage and/or draw enough current to not light.
That's it I think. He said the LED was on all the time, even though it is charging. I think with the LED, the charging circuit is using the resistor, it thinks the LED is not even there it's so small a load, even though the LED is burning.
 
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