Replaced headlights with LEDs, now they won't close
03-19-2017, 05:55 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Replaced headlights with LEDs, now they won't close
I had HIDs in it, and had to push the stick to "brights" to get them to close. However, I got tired of doing that so I switched to LED 9006s, now they won't go down at all unless I manually retract them. Anyone know what's going on?
03-19-2017, 06:36 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
The LEDs don't draw enough current to activate the relay in the headlight control module. I think that adding resistors will solve the problem. Search the forum, this has come up before and someone has posted a fix.
03-19-2017, 07:46 PM
#3
Drifting
I made a recent post that may help you troubleshoot. Good Luck. Let us know what turns out to be the problem. 
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ol-module.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ol-module.html
03-19-2017, 08:24 PM
#5
Drifting
03-20-2017, 02:48 AM
#7
Instructor
Radioflyer made me a kit with hi and low LEDs in an ACA-housing - and it works perfect. The kit has a resistor installed to trick the headlight module.
You could contact him for advice and a solution
You could contact him for advice and a solution
03-20-2017, 07:04 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
Simple fix....
Its a 20 minute fix. Purchase a "hyper flash harness" and install. Its a resistor that tricks your headlight into not being LED's. On the national auction site, they are priced as $34.95. They install behind the knee panel on the drivers side. (4 small bolts).
I have installed the LED set up and love them.
I also have the 9006 LED's.
I have installed the LED set up and love them.
I also have the 9006 LED's.
Last edited by runner140*; 03-20-2017 at 07:05 AM. Reason: add
03-20-2017, 09:04 AM
#10
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Morristown New Jersey
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Oldtimer
The hyperflash harness is for the flasher circuit, which headlights are not part of. As Red mentioned, he already went thru the HID debacle, as many of us did.
For process of elimination sake, everything worked fine before you tried the HIDS?
Did you remove everything from the HID's and return the system to stock, and if so, were the lights working properly?
Try putting in the stock bulbs and see if everything works.
The headlight doors a very sensitive to voltage, and slight change could be the culprit.
For process of elimination sake, everything worked fine before you tried the HIDS?
Did you remove everything from the HID's and return the system to stock, and if so, were the lights working properly?
Try putting in the stock bulbs and see if everything works.
The headlight doors a very sensitive to voltage, and slight change could be the culprit.
03-20-2017, 02:28 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks, all. I have a email out to Kensun (LED bulb manufacturers.) UM Rebel, I will check that fuse when I get home from work. Im thinking its okay, though. When I was disconnecting the battery lastnight the headlights both closed. I hope something gives, soon. Also, when I was manually putting the passenger side down lastnight at some point, the **** broke off. SOB I dont know why I cant just leave stuff stock 
That would be awesome though if that fuse was blown and it blew before I put the resistor in which is causing the resistors to not work.
That would be awesome though if that fuse was blown and it blew before I put the resistor in which is causing the resistors to not work.
03-20-2017, 04:59 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Alright, just heard back from Kensun. I have to say, Im impressed. She asked tons of questions about the car. DRLs? Twilight mode? Etc.....Explained that the culprit was more than likely that I needed a relay harness with resistors installed. As I was reading the email I was thinking, "That cant be too expensive....Ill order it when I get home from work." As I continued reading, she asked if the address she had on file was the correct address that she should send the harness with resistors to, free of charge.
Now THAT is customer service. Looked it up on Amazon and its $28.00. Granted, thats not a lot of money. But if you look at the fact the bulbs were only $60.00, they are taking almost a 50% hit of my original purchase just so these things work. They have a customer for life! (If this harness works )
Now THAT is customer service. Looked it up on Amazon and its $28.00. Granted, thats not a lot of money. But if you look at the fact the bulbs were only $60.00, they are taking almost a 50% hit of my original purchase just so these things work. They have a customer for life! (If this harness works
)
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OregonDan (09-07-2019)
03-20-2017, 06:06 PM
#14
Race Director
Alright, just heard back from Kensun. I have to say, Im impressed. She asked tons of questions about the car. DRLs? Twilight mode? Etc.....Explained that the culprit was more than likely that I needed a relay harness with resistors installed. As I was reading the email I was thinking, "That cant be too expensive....Ill order it when I get home from work." As I continued reading, she asked if the address she had on file was the correct address that she should send the harness with resistors to, free of charge.
Now THAT is customer service. Looked it up on Amazon and its $28.00. Granted, thats not a lot of money. But if you look at the fact the bulbs were only $60.00, they are taking almost a 50% hit of my original purchase just so these things work. They have a customer for life! (If this harness works )
Now THAT is customer service. Looked it up on Amazon and its $28.00. Granted, thats not a lot of money. But if you look at the fact the bulbs were only $60.00, they are taking almost a 50% hit of my original purchase just so these things work. They have a customer for life! (If this harness works
)How do you get so lucky? I can't even miss my local newspaper without talking pidgin to somebody in the Philippines.
03-20-2017, 08:57 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
I agree that, at least theoretically, the doors should open and close even with no bulbs.
I made a quick search and found this post affirming that no resistors are needed:
I have my original harness only powering relay coils, one relay for low beam and one relay for high beam. The headlights go up and down just fine. They controller needs some load, but it certainly doesn't need a 55W load or a load that would draw 4A.
With no relays, the little hi-beam indicator bulb in the dash cluster was enough to make the headlights go down.
The HID ballasts are actually electronic switching power supplies and the circuit turns off when the voltage drops below a certain level. This is why they put no load onto the headlight wires when the headlights are turned off.
With no relays, the little hi-beam indicator bulb in the dash cluster was enough to make the headlights go down.
The HID ballasts are actually electronic switching power supplies and the circuit turns off when the voltage drops below a certain level. This is why they put no load onto the headlight wires when the headlights are turned off.
Last edited by GCG; 03-20-2017 at 09:02 PM.
03-20-2017, 10:00 PM
#16
Drifting
[QUOTE=GCG;1594343996]=theoretically, the doors should open and close even with no bulbs.
Not just theoretically, I have done it experimentally.
Not just theoretically, I have done it experimentally.
Last edited by UM Rebel; 03-20-2017 at 10:07 PM.
03-20-2017, 10:04 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
03-20-2017, 10:13 PM
#18
Drifting
03-20-2017, 10:22 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
I read your other thread where you made your own module and you deserve congratulations for your initiative and ingenuity
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UM Rebel (03-20-2017)
03-21-2017, 12:35 AM
#20
i find your situation strange, i've recently installed low beam LED headlight bulbs in my car also and my headlights function fine, they have the tiny cooling fans on the back and the small power ballast that powers them. but i tried to drop my headlights with one bulb removed entirely just for giggles and the lights didn't go down at all.
I too was worried about your same issue when installing them, but i believe the LED's pull a bit more draw. but as everything goes no two LED's are likely to be created equal.
I too was worried about your same issue when installing them, but i believe the LED's pull a bit more draw. but as everything goes no two LED's are likely to be created equal.