LED woes

[Dream240]

Okay I figured this topic hasn't been covered recently, since I couldn't find anything.
I'm doing a bulb replacement from stock WAL-MART bulbs to LEd bulbs for the entire front end. All 4 of the sidemarkers work just fine, but the turn signals just don't light up! I tested the bulbs with another power source, they do light up, just not in the front turn signal assemblies. I got them through eBay and also ended up buying the resistor kits that are "supposed" to fix the problem. No luck they still won't blink. I'm sure I did the install correctly I mean it's really not that complicated.
So anyways, does anyone know what could be the problem? I'm lost.
A strange note though, I tried the LED bulbs in the back up light assemblies and they light right up! Hmmmm.....interesting. The resistor kits when installed also elimate the hyper blinking in the rear turn signals even though they don't light up the front bulbs.

Any help?? PLEASE!!!!


Thanks guys and gals.

[s13driver]

how about try to turn them around ? cause this happen to me once but was fix by simply turn them around

[Dream240]

how about try to turn them around ? cause this happen to me once but was fix by simply turn them around

Turn them around??? What do you mean? Switch the bulbs from right to left?
HUH???

Of course, I did try this, i tried flipping the resistor connectors from one wire to the other, i tried swapping the bulbs assemblies from right to left. Nothing.

Any more suggestions?

[the head]

as for the blinkers use a hazard signal flasher unit they are no load and work perfectly in this situation then you dont have to worry about the resistor kits
will a regular bulb work up front after all of this has been done?

[Dream240]

Okay, a regular bulb will still work with the resistors in. What a hazard signal flash thingy?

The same problem occurs when you hit the hazard light button too, hthe bulbs will not light. Also a strange thing is the hyper flashing doesn't happen while the hazards are on, just when you flip the lever for a lane change.

[the head]

the flasher for the car is IIRC on the fuse panel (circle thing ) you wont have the fast blink if you switch form hte standard flasher tot he same one as is used int he hazard circut do to teh fact that the hazard one is a no load flasher go to the poarts store and ask for a hazard flasher for your car put it where the signal flasher goes and no more fast blink

so you put a regular bulb into the light with the resistor pack and it lit after you installed the led that did not work?

[Dream240]

Okay so no more fast blink but will it make the LED bulbs light up in the front turn signal assemblies?

Yes I put in a regular bulbs and it worked fine, but the LEd bulbs still refused to work at all. I tried both LED bulbs in each side to no avail.

[Red]

I heard of a special unit you need for the blinkers to work with LED's... But Ihave been looking and cant find the page you could buy one again...

[titotonto]

the leds require a certain amount of voltage before they will conduct. It may happen that you have them in the right direction an just not enough voltage to turn them on. Go to radioshack and pick up a variable resistor or potentiometer and try different resistor values until they light up. You may also want to investigate the led's time response to an applied voltage. How long does the blinker voltage stay on, maybe its not enough time to light the led and you may have to increase the blinker's duty cycle to get them to work.

email me [email protected] with more details if you need help.

[Dream240]

the leds require a certain amount of voltage before they will conduct. It may happen that you have them in the right direction an just not enough voltage to turn them on. Go to radioshack and pick up a variable resistor or potentiometer and try different resistor values until they light up. You may also want to investigate the led's time response to an applied voltage. How long does the blinker voltage stay on, maybe its not enough time to light the led and you may have to increase the blinker's duty cycle to get them to work.

email me [email protected] with more details if you need help.


I sent you an email.

Thanks guys for the posts.

[twitchy]

hey, uh, dream 240

where exactly did you put the bulbs in and are the ones that work significantly brighter than stock?? like worth the money? I Have a fetish for bright bulbs

[Ghettokracker71]

hey, uh, dream 240

where exactly did you put the bulbs in and are the ones that work significantly brighter than stock?? like worth the money? I Have a fetish for bright bulbs
work for MB lights:)?

[Dream240]

hey, uh, dream 240

where exactly did you put the bulbs in and are the ones that work significantly brighter than stock?? like worth the money? I Have a fetish for bright bulbs

I put LED bulbs in the sidemarkers, both the ones on the bumper and the ones next to the headlights. I have an s14 by the way. S13s could put them in the sidemarkers. The key to the clean look is the sidemarker lenses.
Just a note and I hate to say this about Enjukuracing, but DON'T buy the clear bumper lenses from them. I bought em about a year ago for 40 bucks and in less than 6 months they were already turning yellow(oxidizing) and I couldn't get it off. I still had them in when I first bought the LEDs and it looked like crap cause the LED bulb really showed off the yellow in the lenses.
Go with this set for the S14 and they might have them for the S13 too!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33715&item=2458016512

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33717&item=2457602120

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33717&item=2458188508

By the way any one have any other helpful advice?

[mbmbmb23]

I put LED bulbs in the sidemarkers, both the ones on the bumper and the ones next to the headlights. I have an s14 by the way. S13s could put them in the sidemarkers. The key to the clean look is the sidemarker lenses.
Just a note and I hate to say this about Enjukuracing, but DON'T buy the clear bumper lenses from them. I bought em about a year ago for 40 bucks and in less than 6 months they were already turning yellow(oxidizing) and I couldn't get it off. I still had them in when I first bought the LEDs and it looked like crap cause the LED bulb really showed off the yellow in the lenses.
Go with this set for the S14 and they might have them for the S13 too!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33715&item=2458016512

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33717&item=2457602120

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33717&item=2458188508

By the way any one have any other helpful advice?

Read the "Notes" section in red here:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm


-m

[sticky240]

so LED's arn't brighter than the bulbs we all have now? I thought it was the other way around. Maybe the brighter LEDs are the more expensive ones

[Dream240]

so LED's arn't brighter than the bulbs we all have now? I thought it was the other way around. Maybe the brighter LEDs are the more expensive ones

No LEDs aren't brighter, but they have a sharper light and they look cleaner. A very noticable bulb. They really catch the eye.

[old_s13]

LED bulbs are generally not as bright as standard incandescent bulbs, they have many advantages over filament bulbs but brightness is not one of them.

hahahahaaaa....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...item=2457602120

Altezza World?!?!?! hahahahahahahaa

omg... why are you guys buying crap? Seriously.. I love how stock is better and yet you guys love wasting money on absolute crap products.

The flashing unit you are looking for is a simple 2-prong flasher that is available everywhere for about a buck. Not a high quality item, but it works.

ps: The reason those plug in signals are not working is probably because the front turn signal is an 1157 bulb which is dual filament/intensity. LEDs need to receive the proper polarity or they will not illuminate. Personally, I wouldnt use any of those LED products regardless of how "sharp" you think they look.. because they arent bright and you'll just look like a goofball sitting there at a light because no one will be able to see your signals.

- Mike / ClearCorners.Com

[Dream240]

LED bulbs are generally not as bright as standard incandescent bulbs, they have many advantages over filament bulbs but brightness is not one of them.

hahahahaaaa....


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...item=2457602120

Altezza World?!?!?! hahahahahahahaa

omg... why are you guys buying crap? Seriously.. I love how stock is better and yet you guys love wasting money on absolute crap products.

The flashing unit you are looking for is a simple 2-prong flasher that is available everywhere for about a buck. Not a high quality item, but it works.

ps: The reason those plug in signals are not working is probably because the front turn signal is an 1157 bulb which is dual filament/intensity. LEDs need to receive the proper polarity or they will not illuminate. Personally, I wouldnt use any of those LED products regardless of how "sharp" you think they look.. because they arent bright and you'll just look like a goofball sitting there at a light because no one will be able to see your signals.

- Mike / ClearCorners.Com

What the hell are you talking about? Dual filament turn signal bulbs? WTF?
In case you haven't ever seen the back of an 1156-turn signal bulb, it's a single filament bulb, ie. there's only one round metal contact point on it.
Why would there ever be a need for a dual filament turn signal? You plan on turning on your brights when you make a right turn?
the only 1157 bulbs in the entire car are your taillights. The reason for this is that your have a parking light(filament) and a brake light(filament) coming from the same bulb & socket. Therefore you have an 1157 bulbs use.
So I suggest you know your info before you try posting flames and waste everyones time.
As far as the bulbs not being as bright, let me just say I had regular stock 194 side marker bulbs in my original clear lenses and NEVER got pulled over for it. The very first night I put in the LED 194 sidemarker bulbs I got pulled over by CHP!!! And that's the first thing he mentioned!! So for being a dull non-illuminating bulb it sure gets some attention!
While a CHP story may not be the best proof of these products I've gotten alot of looks to my front end due to the bulbs being there. The key is that the actual sidemarker casing REFLECTS the LED light in a very ineteresting way, trust me they're a very noticable improvement over stock nasty yellow colored Autozone bulbs. But you keep doing your thing man and use those dull colored trashy thing on your car, let us who have good taste use ours.

Enough of the trash, back to the issue. I'll try the suggested help and let you guys know.

EDIT: I just saw your website, what's with all the "I like using stock stuff?" Your websites all about modifying and altering all lighting systems. The only stock thing I saw in there is the corner lenses. Dude you need to stop with the B.S. But now I see where your dual-filament idea comes from. Interesting concept, give you some points for that.

[theicecreamdan]

umm if you havent noticed, the signal bulbs turn on sort of low intensity with the headlights, and when you turn on your flashers or turn signal it doesnt turn off, but it gets brighter, I dont know hardcore bulbiness but I have read a lot of old s13's posting about lighting, and he alwayz ownz teh new8. Everytime somebody gone off bashing his knowledge about something because they dont understand something, it comes off as childish, so if there is any bashing going on about lighting, dont bash on him.

[twitchy]

fu*k it ill stick to stock

although if i can find some of those little halogen 1156 1157 bulbsesses again ill go with them cause theyre like 3 times brighter

[Dream240]

Okay, here's a link to the bulb application on a 1996 240sx (my car).

http://www.sylvania.com/bin/carApp/carApp_ver2.pl?flag=model_quals&make=&make=Nissan&year=&year=1996&model=240SX&x=19&y=10

As far as bashing him, I'm just disagreeing with his dual filament turn signal bulb idea. I also posted an edit, so I see where he got his idea from.
and that's all fine and great, but realistically, why would I spend $300 bucks to get my corner lenses to turn two different colors when one will suffice for 7.99 LEDs on eBay? Sounds like an indirect advertising plug to me.

Also, the bashing was coming from his direction if I recall, I see no need to post "HAHAHAHA"s and such about someone elses preferences. To each his own. That's why I stated I'll stick to mine and his to his.

Anyways, I got all the info I need from the helpful guys on this thread, to them I thank you. Peace guys.

[derux]

I have bought the LED lights off ebay. They didnt work. Mikes lights DO work. He has great parts and does great work. Being a one man shop and not some sweat shop his prices may seem high but the quality is way better. I have him working on my silvia lights and i am also getting his LED taillights. Mike kicks A$$.

My front bulb turn bulb is a two filiment.

[old_s13]

In case you haven't ever seen the back of an 1156-turn signal bulb, it's a single filament bulb, ie. there's only one round metal contact point on it. Why would there ever be a need for a dual filament turn signal? You plan on turning on your brights when you make a right turn?

haha...


So I suggest you know your info before you try posting flames and waste everyones time.

hahaha!!


As far as the bulbs not being as bright, let me just say I had regular stock 194 side marker bulbs in my original clear lenses and NEVER got pulled over for it. The very first night I put in the LED 194 sidemarker bulbs I got pulled over by CHP!!! And that's the first thing he mentioned!!

hahahahaha!!!! maybe he pulled you over because he IMMEDIATELY noticed how crappy those $7.99 LEDs look?


but realistically, why would I spend $300 bucks to get my corner lenses to turn two different colors when one will suffice for 7.99 LEDs on eBay? Sounds like an indirect advertising plug to me.

How about I ask YOU a question, why should anyone spend $7.99 on e-bay brand lights that DONT EVEN TURN ON!

I just saw your website, what's with all the "I like using stock stuff?" Your websites all about modifying and altering all lighting systems. The only stock thing I saw in there is the corner lenses. Dude you need to stop with the B.S.

Because stock lights will turn on. ;)


The key is that the actual sidemarker casing REFLECTS the LED light in a very ineteresting way, trust me they're a very noticable improvement over stock nasty yellow colored Autozone bulbs. But you keep doing your thing man and use those dull colored trashy thing on your car, let us who have good taste use ours.

HAHAHAHA!! Oh man.. you really dont know who you are talking to, do you? I have more money invested in my lighting than you have invested in your ENTIRE car. I can sell JUST my tail lights and probably buy your car! Seriously.. this is absolute comedy.

- Mike

ps: I thought you had an S13 btw, which uses an 1157. But since its an 1156, thats even more simple -- maybe they're defective. :)

[DORIMON]

Ok, I think I'm going to solve all of your LED problems. I have replaced all of my exterior bulbs with led bulbs, every single one, front and rear corners, bumper sidemarkers, front and rear turn signals, tails, and 3rd brake light. I have everything working perfectly with Jamstrait LED bulbs, the highest quality led bulbs you can find. www.jamstrait.com will explain the details of why they are so superior, and also they come with a lifetime warranty from blow-outs. Here are the links on where to get the bulbs and the necessary load equalizers/power resistors for the turn signals to blink at normal rate. I can say that these particular led bulbs are just as bright as regular incandescent, if not, brighter. I've tried many other brands such as APC, PIAA, Polarg, and the Jamstrait bulbs outperform them greatly, worth the money definetely. Be sure to get 4-led bulbs for the wedge replacements, and the 15-led bulbs for the tail/turn signal replacements. If you guys decide to go the led route, tryt he following links below, you'll thank me later. :)

JamStrait LED Bulbs (Lifetime Warranty)
http://jamstrait.com/

LED Bulbs and Load Equalizers/Power Resistors:
http://myroadster.net/led.asp

LED Bulbs on Ebay (same bulbs, slightly cheaper)
http://search.stores.ebay.com/search/search.dll?query=bulb&srchdesc=y&sid=902318&store=Direct+Automotive+Products&colorid=5&fp=0&st=2

[old_s13]

LED BULB.... LED bulb... hmmmmmmm....

LED = Light Emitting Diode
Bulb = An incandescent lamp or its glass housing

hmmmmmmmmmm....

btw, i thought going with LED technology was good because its more efficient. Adding load resistors to compensate for a halogen flash module is redundant, isnt it? Come on guys, think..

[Dream240]

LED BULB.... LED bulb... hmmmmmmm....

LED = Light Emitting Diode
Bulb = An incandescent lamp or its glass housing

hmmmmmmmmmm....

btw, i thought going with LED technology was good because its more efficient. Adding load resistors to compensate for a halogen flash module is redundant, isnt it? Come on guys, think..

Man you just love starting crap don't you? For someone that claims "superior" knowledge about lighting you act & post like a high school drop out. There's really no need to keep talking smack. Being that I started this thread I see a reason for me to be posting here. But as for your posts, there really just entertainment for the casual reader that likes a controversy. Hey haven't you figured it out by now.....WE DON"T WANT YOUR PRODUCTS!!!! So stop trying to change our minds about LEDs!! If you don't like the topic then stay the flock out of the thread! If your not going to add anything else beneficial like zenki then just kick back and read.

Thanks zenki, I'll look into their website.

[Red]

Personally I think www.ClearCorners.Com has some awesome stuff... I think Old S13 has done a great job with his products...

I forgot about his site and ended up ordering a duel LED for my side markers... (They will be for my license plate now) Yes his prices do seem high... Unless you think of all the work done to the lamps to make them very professional... I mean c’mon he made circuit boards to fit inside FULL of LED’s… I love that! Then that $300 seems cheep... (No way in hell most of us will even come close to that type of coolness)

BTW Mike... When will you be done with the 95-96 Tail lamps??? I love the 97-98's and need a pair of 95's for my car...

EDIT: Btw will you ever be offering Black housing headlamps?

[old_s13]

Man you just love starting crap don't you? For someone that claims "superior" knowledge about lighting you act & post like a high school drop out. There's really no need to keep talking smack. Being that I started this thread I see a reason for me to be posting here. But as for your posts, there really just entertainment for the casual reader that likes a controversy. Hey haven't you figured it out by now.....WE DON"T WANT YOUR PRODUCTS!!!! So stop trying to change our minds about LEDs!! If you don't like the topic then stay the flock out of the thread! If your not going to add anything else beneficial like zenki then just kick back and read.


I post on this forum because its good stress relief and breaks the monotony from working all day, just incase you guys were wondering.

But besides that, last I checked this forum was free for discussion -- and thats what we're doing. I am not advertising my products, I never once said "buy my shiet" I am just talking. And what I did ask you was a question, oh wise one. Which is, how can an LED be a bulb, or how can a bulb be an LED? You guys said "LED BULB" -- real smart. Second, besides you thinking LEDs look "sharper" whats the benefit if you're adding load resistors to compensate for using the incorrect flashing unit?

All I am doing is asking you to THINK -- use your head. Apparently, you arent doing that if you cant figure out why a TWO PRONG LED ISNT WORKING. Here let me help:
- Positive connects to positive (thats the center wire)
- Negative connects to negative (thats the outer metal part)

JUST incase you were wondering. Now if they dont turn on, you know that the stuff you bought really is crap. Check your contacts, make sure they are clean, and thats it. There's really no science to resolving your dilemma.

- Mike

[old_s13]

BTW Mike... When will you be done with the 95-96 Tail lamps??? I love the 97-98's and need a pair of 95's for my car... Btw will you ever be offering Black housing headlamps?

The 95-96 lamps are identical to the 97-98, they only have some minor differences in terms of lens/housing design. Cost to modify 95-96 or 97-98 are the same and take the same amount of time.

As for black housing headlamps, thats not hard to do.. but probably not worth it price-wise.

- Mike

[twitchy]

back on topic, has anyone seen the bright halogen bulbs i mentioned above? Theyre about ten bucks a bulb but extremely bright, in fact garunteed 250% brighter than stock- they come in 1156 and 1157 sizes....

[Dream240]

I post on this forum because its good stress relief and breaks the monotony from working all day, just incase you guys were wondering.

But besides that, last I checked this forum was free for discussion -- and thats what we're doing. I am not advertising my products, I never once said "buy my shiet" I am just talking. And what I did ask you was a question, oh wise one. Which is, how can an LED be a bulb, or how can a bulb be an LED? You guys said "LED BULB" -- real smart. Second, besides you thinking LEDs look "sharper" whats the benefit if you're adding load resistors to compensate for using the incorrect flashing unit?

All I am doing is asking you to THINK -- use your head. Apparently, you arent doing that if you cant figure out why a TWO PRONG LED ISNT WORKING. Here let me help:
- Positive connects to positive (thats the center wire)
- Negative connects to negative (thats the outer metal part)

JUST incase you were wondering. Now if they dont turn on, you know that the stuff you bought really is crap. Check your contacts, make sure they are clean, and thats it. There's really no science to resolving your dilemma.

- Mike[/QUOTE]

What does it matter if we call it an LED bulb, LED, light emitting diode, that bright thingy on the front of the car. Everyone knows what we're talking about. No need to get so nit picky with terminology. And second you hit it right on the head man, I'm trying to get my lights to look sharper. If I have to use resistors, NASA metal, an additional 12v battery with an indepent wire setup to the blinkers, I'll do it (joke). Really though that's the whole point to this topic. I am tired of seeing so many cars use clear lenses with those stock sylvania bulbs that look like they just got dipped in oil. So the sharpness is the real goal here. I mean really, do the sidemarkers and corner lamps even light enough in stock form to help with night visibility? No they don't. So what does it matter if I use LEDs or regular bulbs? It doesn't. My front lights are just as illuminating as "the other guy" and they look cleaner too. Also getting all LEDs in the front was my decision because I could never find all the bulbs in a hyper white form that matched. You've seen it, those side markers that shine white, corner bulbs shining dark blue, and headlights shining another off white color, that's just nasty.

Also I DID use my head!! The entire day before I posted this thread, I spent trying all different kinds of tricks to get them to work, yet to no avail. With all the feedback I got here, I should be able to get them to work or die trying.

to old_s13: I understand your point to posting on the forum, but in the future try to be a little more tolerant to everyone elses preferences. I give you props for running your own shop and doing what you do with the lighting designs, hell everyone tells me that's what I should be doing insted of this tedious engineering work. If car designing is your passion, like me, then best of luck and enjoy every minute of it. I apologize if I came off as rude, I just sometimes get easily caught up in the debates just like everyone else.

Later

[old_s13]

No problem, its all good my main man. I just think that people need to think before they start swapping parts and calling them "upgrades." Most people in the US are about listing their mods, but pay little attention as to whether or not their mods are even worthwhile. Think about it, why modify your lights to perform WORSE than stock? Why modify ANYTHING on your car to perform WORSE than stock? Isnt that a down-grade? I am not talking about you directly (even though I think those plug in LED toys are a joke) -- I am speaking in general. There are 350Z owners installing 6,000k HID bulbs simply for color. They dont last nearly as long as stock and dont perform as well either. I am curious however, to know why the switch to LED if:
1) they arent as bright as stock
2) they arent more efficient (actually less efficient with the use of load resistors)

What is the point? The whole purpose to going with LED is because of the high intensity and efficiency.

Again, I am not criticizing you for doing this -- you are completely free to do whatever you like with your car, afterall it IS your car. I am just curious to the logic behind this, thats all.

- Mike

[Dream240]

No problem, its all good my main man. I just think that people need to think before they start swapping parts and calling them "upgrades." Most people in the US are about listing their mods, but pay little attention as to whether or not their mods are even worthwhile. Think about it, why modify your lights to perform WORSE than stock? Why modify ANYTHING on your car to perform WORSE than stock? Isnt that a down-grade? I am not talking about you directly (even though I think those plug in LED toys are a joke) -- I am speaking in general. There are 350Z owners installing 6,000k HID bulbs simply for color. They dont last nearly as long as stock and dont perform as well either. I am curious however, to know why the switch to LED if:
1) they arent as bright as stock
2) they arent more efficient (actually less efficient with the use of load resistors)

What is the point? The whole purpose to going with LED is because of the high intensity and efficiency.

Again, I am not criticizing you for doing this -- you are completely free to do whatever you like with your car, afterall it IS your car. I am just curious to the logic behind this, thats all.

- Mike

Well, the main point is to get all the front light to look exactly the same for a modest cost. I mean looking at my front end now at night makes it look so much more cleaner and unique. Yeah the bulbs are dimmer, but you can still very much see them when they're lit up. Also as far as the load problems, I just recently installed a grounding kit which I very much noticed a difference in light brightness all around the car, and stereo sound quality, no so much in the performance department but maybe just a little on by my butt dyno. I figure the ground kit helps to offset the load issues and definitely helps with the loss due to running underdrive pulleys on my car.

[Red]

Well I just got some PIAA duel LED super white... Gay as hell... I mean its cool they are LED but they are 1/2 as bright in my corner lights...

I'll leave them in due to cost of them... But just let ya know... I think 4 LED's might be as bright... But I'm guna save up for the good stuff...