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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 08:32 PM
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Led tail light problem

Hay everyone back again I'm having problems with 1157 led Sylvania tailights that are not lighting up when brakes a pressed etc they do come on but is there something I'm missing do I need some sort of harness this is on a 77 f150 4x4 any help appreciated
 
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by badkins5358
Hay everyone back again I'm having problems with 1157 led Sylvania tailights that are not lighting up when brakes a pressed etc they do come on but is there something I'm missing do I need some sort of harness this is on a 77 f150 4x4 any help appreciated
Check the bulb contacts.
Check that the bulbs are in fact seated.
Check for voltage at the sockets.

Whaddya get?
 
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 08:44 PM
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What's the best way to clean the contacts @HIO SILVER
 
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 09:03 PM
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A light bulb will work if hooked up backwards. An LED will not. Double check your polarity.
Are you seeing corrosion in the bulb sockets? Dirt?....???
 
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 09:15 PM
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I kinda saw something today that seemed like reverse polarity because when we pushed the break lights they went dimmer there's some corrosion can I use electronic cleaner for that also thanks for the post @bodabdan
 
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 10:15 PM
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Be careful with electronic and contact cleaners. They can make some plastics crumble. If it's corrosion, remove it with the least abrasive means possible. Pencil erasers are a good starting point. Reassemble with dielectric grease.
Also, an 1157 is a dual filament bulb. That means you'll have three connections- ground, running lights, and brake/turn. If there are ground issues, lights can try to ground through a different circuit. That might explain the dimming?
 
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 10:18 PM
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How can I tell if it's reverse polarity @bodabdan
 
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by badkins5358
What's the best way to clean the contacts @HIO SILVER
Depends how cruddy they are... I sometimes just use a pick to scrape away any muck so that shiny metal is exposed.

Bulbs can be installed incorrectly, especially in "loose" sockets. I've done it. Take a look and the bulb base in profile. Note one pin is higher than the other pin.

Dual filament incandescent bulbs, as their name states have two filaments.. one dedicated for brake lights and the other is the turn signal.

... bust out your multimeter and measure for voltage. There is no excuse to have one.... Harbor Freight's coupon sheets sometimes offer digital multimeter for free with purchase.. I have like seven of them...
 
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Old Oct 4, 2016 | 11:56 PM
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Ok what should the voltage be @HIO Silver
 
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Old Oct 5, 2016 | 12:18 AM
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Depends on how many batteries you have, just kidding, 12 volts. 1 pin in socket will be 12 v with park lamps on, other will be 12v on and off with signals.
 
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Old Oct 5, 2016 | 12:24 AM
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Thanks for the info @163junk I was thinking that but I wanted to be sure
 
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Old Oct 7, 2016 | 12:12 AM
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Yeah I found it guys seems to be a short in the light bulb socket pieces guess I'll try to find some to splice in at a pull a parts or something can you order them new jw thanks for the help
 
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 02:06 PM
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Led turn signal activates both signals

This is a little different problem, but along the same lines. I upgraded to LED turn signal/tail/brake lights and they were hyperflashing. I bought the ZOHL plug and play resistors and they stopped the hyperflashing, but now when I use my turn signal, (either one), both signals are activated, making it look like I'm using my emergency flashers. I have not found anyone on the internet who has the same problem, and I am no electrical expert. Any ideas? I included a link to the resistors I have.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 03:19 PM
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You need a electronic flasher the bi-metal one do not see the load on LED's for signals.You are are not saving any juice with LED's along with the resistor.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2016 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by 460me
You need a electronic flasher the bi-metal one do not see the load on LED's for signals.You are are not saving any juice with LED's along with the resistor.
I didn't need to save juice, I just wanted brighter lights because I have a really dark tail light housing. And the purpose of the resistors was so it could see the load instead of flashing fast. Any ideas on how to keep the LED's?
 
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