Led drl issues
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Amherst Ohio
Led drl issues
Added white LED bulbs to Front Turn/DRL on my '03 VERT. Blinkers now flash fast along with flashing instrument lights.. When driving the DRL also flash unless you turn on the parking or headlights, they stop flashing then. Also, the alarm sounds instantly when set (with key fob) with no delay. I added the resisters today "I think" correctly. Black wire to black (ground) and the red to the wire for the blinkers, not the parking lamps. Added to both front sockets. Still same results. I see that others are using the LED for the same application and not sure what I need to do to get these to work correctly. Appreciate any help! Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
I converted all my bulbs, front and rear signals, side lights, DRL etc, to LED so I chose the HyperFlash harness rather than screwing around with the resistors. May cost a bit more but no where as trouble some as the individual resistors. Everything worked first time. JMHO
Same here.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
1. when you say flashing instrument lights, do you mean just the left/right green blinker lights are flashing in the instrument panel, or are multiple lights flashing within the instrument cluster?
2. what type led bulbs are you using in the drl/turn signal sockets? name/type.
Also, what happens when you remove the resistors and replace the LED drl lights with your original halogen bulbs?
Last edited by MAC5; Oct 20, 2014 at 09:00 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 11
From: San Antonio Texas
Had the same problem last week and it's a simple fix. The bulbs you purchased are for the can bus system and will not work in Gm vehicles. You need led bulbs that are not marked for can bus. Sorry to say, but you wasted your money on those. They won't refund bulbs.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
Either way, would recommend the hyperflash harness versus the resistor route once he gets the bulb issue resolved.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 11
From: San Antonio Texas
With the can bus bulbs installed mine did exactly as the OP described. My horn began to blow when I tried to lock my vehicle. Once I removed the can bus bulbs the problem when away. I'm now running switch backs and I love them.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Amherst Ohio
Great points, thanks. Not 100% sure what "can bus bulbs" are? The bulbs were purchased from Auto Zone and made by Pilot Automotive. They are type 3157 but the package indicated they also replace the 4157 that the turn/DRL call for. They are obviously 12 volt bulbs with 15 LEDS IN each. Also not familiar with the terminology "switch backs" and would appreciate if you can possibly provide me with some added info. Are these possibly the ones that switch from amber to white for the DRL and the turn signals? I have heard about the hyper flash harness and saw that on another sight. Not too concerned about having bought the wrong bulbs should this be the case and don't mind spending the additional $$$ to get it right, but, hate to continue making the wrong decisions. Like to get this done right this next time so I can move on to bigger and better changes. Next, the short throw shifter! I do appreciate the great advise and will look forward to hearing what is the right move on this LED application.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
Great points, thanks. Not 100% sure what "can bus bulbs" are? The bulbs were purchased from Auto Zone and made by Pilot Automotive. They are type 3157 but the package indicated they also replace the 4157 that the turn/DRL call for. They are obviously 12 volt bulbs with 15 LEDS IN each. Also not familiar with the terminology "switch backs" and would appreciate if you can possibly provide me with some added info. Are these possibly the ones that switch from amber to white for the DRL and the turn signals? I have heard about the hyper flash harness and saw that on another sight. Not too concerned about having bought the wrong bulbs should this be the case and don't mind spending the additional $$$ to get it right, but, hate to continue making the wrong decisions. Like to get this done right this next time so I can move on to bigger and better changes. Next, the short throw shifter! I do appreciate the great advise and will look forward to hearing what is the right move on this LED application.
DRL - amber color
Turnsignal - amber, and depending on vendors bulb, white to amber
Parking lamp - white
Some of the vendors are Radioflyer, corvettemods, jwmotoring. Do a search on those names and you'll find the links.
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Great points, thanks. Not 100% sure what "can bus bulbs" are? The bulbs were purchased from Auto Zone and made by Pilot Automotive. They are type 3157 but the package indicated they also replace the 4157 that the turn/DRL call for. They are obviously 12 volt bulbs with 15 LEDS IN each. Also not familiar with the terminology "switch backs" and would appreciate if you can possibly provide me with some added info. Are these possibly the ones that switch from amber to white for the DRL and the turn signals? I have heard about the hyper flash harness and saw that on another sight. Not too concerned about having bought the wrong bulbs should this be the case and don't mind spending the additional $$$ to get it right, but, hate to continue making the wrong decisions. Like to get this done right this next time so I can move on to bigger and better changes. Next, the short throw shifter! I do appreciate the great advise and will look forward to hearing what is the right move on this LED application.
We offer white, amber, and switchbacks here at JWM
Amber- http://www.jwmotorsportsllc.com/C5-a...f-2_p_148.html
White- contact me they are not listed on the new site yet
and
Switchbacks-http://www.jwmotorsportsllc.com/C5-H...ess_p_145.html
Be sure to grab a harness as well
http://www.jwmotorsportsllc.com/C5-H...ess_p_145.html
Pm/email with any questions you may have.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: Amherst Ohio
Added the hyper flash harness as suggested! All good now! That was definitely the answer. Got rid of the can bus bulbs and have added numerous LED bulbs and everything is working well. Thanks again for all the advise.
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Good deal you got it solved. The hyperflash harness works very well and not difficult to install.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Columbia SC
Can Bus LEDs are just LEDs with resistors. This was primarily done so that cars that can indicate if a bulb is out will not think the LED is out. A plain LED can cause the computer to indicate that the bulb location is burned out because of the low resistance. C5s do not have this bulb indication feature like my wife's Lexus.
I see no reason why a Can Bus LED will not work in a C5. If you disagree I would like to see a technical explanation.
Adding resistors defeats the low power consumption (and low heat generation) of the LED. If I were to install LEDs I would use the Hyperflash harness and not use/install resistors. Of course the Hyperflash harness does not change the rate of flashing when using the Hazard function since the Hyperflash only affects the turn signal circuits.
I see no reason why a Can Bus LED will not work in a C5. If you disagree I would like to see a technical explanation.
Adding resistors defeats the low power consumption (and low heat generation) of the LED. If I were to install LEDs I would use the Hyperflash harness and not use/install resistors. Of course the Hyperflash harness does not change the rate of flashing when using the Hazard function since the Hyperflash only affects the turn signal circuits.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18
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From: Des Moines Ia
LED DRL Issue
I know this is old thread, but I am having exact same issue as OP. Had front bumper replaced and installed new LED housings/switchback DRLs and signal bulbs from Radio Flyer. I trust George's products but am a little frustrated. I did not get to body shop in time to install hyper flash harness (also from Radio Flyer), body shop was concerned with issue, I installed harness but still have issue. Any ideas? Have not re-installed original amber lights, but it is next option this weekend. Want to keep LEDs...