Patrick - LED Taillight problems

DanEC · #1 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 04:57 PM

Calling on electrical mastermind Patrick.

OK - got my 1157-R45-T LED bulbs installed in the tail lights. Earlier problem was due to having my trunk so full of stuff that I was going by feel and had the bulbs 180 deg turned.

Installed - I have no tail lights with lights on - but my turn signals and brake lights work. Noting that they seemed to work when I was trying to install them 180 deg out of position and held in place by hand, I reversed the leads at the light socket. Then I had tail lights but no turn signals or brake lights.

I put the leads back to original position and reinstalled my standard 1157 bulbs and my tail lights, turn signals and brake lights all again work correctly.

My only thought is the bulbs are in incorrect boxes and are for front turn signal lights. I sent Superbrightled an email this evening to see what they can offer. Any ideas?

Thanks

P.S. - I hate electrical crap

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

My only thought is the bulbs are in incorrect boxes and are for front turn signal lights. I sent Superbrightled an email this evening to see what they can offer. Any ideas?

Thanks

P.S. - I hate electrical crap

Pull your old 1157 bulb and your new LED bulb and compare the diameter of the shafts, the location of the two poles at the bottom of the bulb, and the location of the little raised knobby things on the outside of the shaft. If they do not line up exactly, then there is something wrong.

DanEC · #3 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Pull your old 1157 bulb and your new LED bulb and compare the diameter of the shafts, the location of the two poles at the bottom of the bulb, and the location of the little raised knobby things on the outside of the shaft. If they do not line up exactly, then there is something wrong.

They all match up. I even use a micrometer to check the diameter of the body. It's like they only have the equivalent of only one filiment. Hopefully superbrightleds will have a solution.

The only difference are that the contacts on the bottom are more like an oval section while 1157 bulbs are just a round contact.

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

They all match up. I even use a micrometer to check the diameter of the body. It's like they only have the equivalent of only one filiment. Hopefully superbrightleds will have a solution.

Just for test purposes, put the LED bulbs in the front turn signal lights and see if your running lights come on normally and you turn signal lights behave normally while the LEDs are up there.

DanEC · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 05:37 PM

I'll give that a try in the morning.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 05:38 PM

See, if the LEDs behave properly up front, but not in the rear, then it's not the LED's fault....

DanEC · #7 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 05:58 PM

I may have discovered a clue. On top of the bulbs in real itty bitty tiny print I see ZY12-1156--45CS. I bet they sent me 1156 bulbs in 1157 boxes by mistake.

Horseracejudge · #8 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 06:22 PM

Patrickt, Had the same problem with my 1157 LED bulbs. I think the pins on the base are reversed. If I put the bulb in my Parking Light, Turn Signal, in front and pushed it in and held it in the wrong way (it didn't lock) it worked correctly. Something is wrong with the bulbs. Nick

patrickt · #9 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horseracejudge

Patrickt, Had the same problem with my 1157 LED bulbs. I think the pins on the base are reversed. If I put the bulb in my Parking Light, Turn Signal, in front and pushed it in and held it in the wrong way (it didn't lock) it worked correctly. Something is wrong with the bulbs. Nick

OK, that's good to know. And that's a good test up front as well.

DanEC · #10 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 06:57 PM

The 1156 was a false lead - looking at enlargements on their website both the 1156 and 1157 bulbs have the same print on the top of the light. I think the LED unit is the same on both. But the pins on a 1156 are at the same distance from the bottom of the base instead of unequal like an 1157.

Horseracejudge - that sounds like exactly my experience. I'll see what Superbrightled's has to say about it tomorrow.

Bummer - they are a lot brighter. I would like to get them to work.

patrickt · #11 (**permalink**) 10-23-2014, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

Bummer - they are a lot brighter. I would like to get them to work.

You'll get it to work. Remember, nothing on these cars is easy... even changing a light bulb.

DanEC · #12 (**permalink**) 10-24-2014, 05:11 AM

I took one of the bulbs last night and tested it with my battery charger. They work fine - they are dual intensity and light up from either contact, one being much brighter than the other. I know my taillights and wiring are good so it apparently has to be some sort of issue between the socket and the bulb. I'm going to remove a tail light so I can examine the socket better and see if I can figure out what the incompatibiity is.

DanEC · #13 (**permalink**) 10-24-2014, 10:03 AM

I'm giving up for now as it's not worth tearing back into the trailer relay at this time. I will put some 2357 bulbs in for a little boost in turnsignal and brake light brightness.

Thanks for the help.

Dan

Large Arbor · #14 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 08:34 AM

So, can the 1157's be switched out to the LED variety with no hickups?

Phil

patrickt · #15 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

So, can the 1157's be switched out to the LED variety with no hickups?

Phil

If you have even the slightest ability whatsoever, the answer is "Yes." But, you do have to be able to change a light bulb.

rodneym · #16 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

But, you do have to be able to change a light bulb.

Usually starts with, "How many Corvette owners does it take..."

Large Arbor · #17 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 10:45 AM

Thanks Patrick. So was there a specific brand you went with? Jegs has the Anzo variety. I would like to do both running / turn signal / and brake lights which means 4 bulbs.

Phil

patrickt · #18 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Thanks Patrick. So was there a specific brand you went with? Jegs has the Anzo variety. I would like to do both running / turn signal / and brake lights which means 4 bulbs.

Phil

I used the ones outlined in this thread: LED Upgrade to Rear Rectangular Lights

Pull your lights out and check them carefully for dual filaments or single filaments. I have the rectangular fitting, not the two separate light setup.

Large Arbor · #19 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 11:17 AM

I will definitely do that as $22.95 per bulb is pricey.

Phil

DanEC · #20 (**permalink**) 12-10-2014, 02:11 PM

Yeah - they are easy to change out in the rectangular tail lights, but that isn't a guarantee they will work in your car. I tried everything except changing out the trailer relay in #782 and could not get them to work. I ended up plugging them LEDs in the tail lights of my 67 GTX where they worked fine. Hopefully they will work in your car.