Led tail light problem
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Freshman User
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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
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Check that the bulbs are in fact seated.
Check for voltage at the sockets.
Whaddya get?
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Freshman User
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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
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,816
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From: River Valley AR
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?
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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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
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...
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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Joined: Nov 2016
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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
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Joined: Nov 2016
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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?