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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 01:32 PM
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Default Led swap

So I replace the tail lights and the front turn signal lights with leds with the same size socket. I replace the hazard flasher with one that handles leds and the flashers work fine. When you use the turn signals both sides blink and when you use the headlights they do not work at all. I replaced the turn signal flasher with one that handles leds as well, has anyone had this problem? Turn signals all flash and when you use the headlights they do not work at all, the headlights are original just the tail lamps and the front turn signal lamps are led
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 01:44 PM
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LEDs wont work for the front signals without wiring changes
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 03:04 PM
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What year vette?
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by corvette74
leds wont work for the front signals without wiring changes
......
M

Last edited by Mooser; Apr 1, 2018 at 08:50 PM. Reason: Info not relevant in this case
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 06:06 PM
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they work okay in my 68, thats why I asked the year. Never heard of grounds switching
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Mooser


The side lights on the front can't be changed to LED without changing the way they are wired. When the headlights are turned on the ground reverses and the LED won't let.
At least not on the older vettes, not sure about yours
M
Ok, Ill try putting in the original lights up front, I just wanted the taillights to be led anyhow because of the brightness factor. I swapped my license plate bulb with an led and just thought I would go all out
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 06:14 PM
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Originally Posted by rescue rogers
what year vette?
81'
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 06:26 PM
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Remember they are LED's. Light emitting diodes. They are diodes which means they only conduct one way. If you have the polarity reversed, they don't work.
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
they work okay in my 68, thats why I asked the year. Never heard of grounds switching
My understanding was that the 68-70 side marker lights on the front where like the rear and didn't flash with the turn signals ?

With the later ones, the side marker flashes in time with the front turn signals but when you turn the headlight (or park lights) on they start to flash opposite the front signals.

.............................

M

Last edited by Mooser; Apr 1, 2018 at 08:49 PM. Reason: information not relevant
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 06:52 PM
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My diagrams don't go to 81, did they have separate parking and turn signals on the side by then???
M
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 08:42 PM
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I didn't have any issues replacing all the exterior bulbs (except headlights) with LED bulbs on my '75. I did have to make sure the bulbs were inserted correctly (either they worked or didn't (which I then flipped around the bulb)).
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 08:48 PM
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Hmmm,
I'll have to retract my earlier statement as it would seem they changed the wiring method some time after 73 or 74.
Ignore everything I said earlier about swapping the side lights back to filament bulbs to get it working.

Sorry for the unnecessary confusion
M
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Old Apr 1, 2018 | 11:34 PM
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I ended using a bridge rectifier to get my front signals working. I had the same symptoms as you on my 79. Everything would work just fine w/out the headlights on. Turn on the headlights and front side markers stop working. To verify this is your problem, flip the led side lights to where they don't work w/out the headlights on and then turn on the headlights.....should get the opposite result. Or just test wiring with a meter.

Try searching for led bulbs that are non-polarity sensitive. On that type of led it doesn't matter which way you install it, the led will work.
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