LED headlights don't work
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
There is no BCM in an 01 van.. that didn't start until 08 when they got the "superduty upgrade" which included a completely modern wiring system based around smart modules along with the front clip and dash.
Your van has the old school system which is mostly just wiring and switches but there are control modules for certain functions... and I wonder if it has a headlight control module, this thing would enable DRL functionality for example but even when that isn't enabled there is some electronics in play that could be acting up.
Your van has the old school system which is mostly just wiring and switches but there are control modules for certain functions... and I wonder if it has a headlight control module, this thing would enable DRL functionality for example but even when that isn't enabled there is some electronics in play that could be acting up.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 170
Likes: 45
I'm starting to wonder if the problem is in the hi/lo multifunction switch. I'm going to take the switch out, clean it up inside, and see if that clears up the problem.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,255
Likes: 1,657
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Honestly I'd seek to return the units you have and either receive warranty replacements or money refunded, seek another brand or supplier. UNfortuneately the cost of something almost never an indication how long lasting or "quality" it really is/will be.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 170
Likes: 45
Solved this - removed the multifunction switch, opened it up and thoroughly cleaned all of the copper contact surfaces inside. Applied a little dielectric grease and reassembled. It seems to be working perfectly.. no more flickering. Thanks everyone for your contributions and suggestions.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Hey that is good to hear, I fixed erratic turn signals on one of our vehicles by simply disassembling and cleaning the multi function switch, turns out the grease had become partially conductive with copper oxides from the contacts and a good cleaning and fresh dielectric grease was the solution.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 20
Whenever I deal with upgraded headlight systems,I go to relays and take the electric load off the factory wiring. I try and get better "plugs"(connecters) that plug into the bulbs and take them apart and use heavier gauge wire.Seems to me if I remember, the factory uses 16 ga wire. I increase to at least 14,and 12 if really strong off road lights.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 154
Likes: 21
Whenever I deal with upgraded headlight systems,I go to relays and take the electric load off the factory wiring. I try and get better "plugs"(connecters) that plug into the bulbs and take them apart and use heavier gauge wire.Seems to me if I remember, the factory uses 16 ga wire. I increase to at least 14,and 12 if really strong off road lights.
I put on a set of JW Speaker box lights on my e-350, EPIC results, love the ice melting feature. They pull 5.35A @ 12V DC (High Beam) and 4.30A @ 12V DC (Low Beam) compared to the nearly 6 amps that the stock bulbs pull on high beam and nearly 5 on low. SO the wires are MORE than able to handle it. the connectors are JUNK though due to age.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
Gonna guess they are overheating, many different heat sinks, some have fans, add they are near the radiator which is a heat source, if you install one of those relay kits for headlamps good luck, last one I had kept collecting water in the relays, corroded them pretty bad, ended up pulling it all out and going back to the stock wiring, my LED lights still going strong after 6 months tho.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
Whenever I deal with upgraded headlight systems,I go to relays and take the electric load off the factory wiring. I try and get better "plugs"(connecters) that plug into the bulbs and take them apart and use heavier gauge wire.Seems to me if I remember, the factory uses 16 ga wire. I increase to at least 14,and 12 if really strong off road lights.
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