Switchback front turn and DRL LED problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Cudahy WI
Switchback front turn and DRL LED problem
I picked up some LED Switchbacks from an auciton site, and when I installed them, I ran into an issue.
They function normally with the parking or headlights off. AMBER on all the time as DRLs, amber blinks (no white at all) when turn signals are on.
With the headlights or parking lights on, the switchbacks switch to all WHITE, as they should.
When I turn on the blinkers with the headlights or parking lights ON, the WHITE never turns off. AMBER blinks.
So I have CONSTANT WHITE and BLINKING AMBER with the headlights or parking lights on.
Is this a bulb issue? A car issue?
Any help is appreciated.
They function normally with the parking or headlights off. AMBER on all the time as DRLs, amber blinks (no white at all) when turn signals are on.
With the headlights or parking lights on, the switchbacks switch to all WHITE, as they should.
When I turn on the blinkers with the headlights or parking lights ON, the WHITE never turns off. AMBER blinks.
So I have CONSTANT WHITE and BLINKING AMBER with the headlights or parking lights on.
Is this a bulb issue? A car issue?
Any help is appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
If I understand you correctly, when the headlights are on and you activate the turn signals, they blink white, amber, white, amber, etc. Right? I believe that is exactly how they are supposed to work.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Cudahy WI
To update this, the issue was with cheap bulbs from that online auction bay.
Here is how it works. Corvette DRL/front turn indicators have two circuits, referred to as low brightness and high brighness. With the headlights off, your DRLS illuminate on "high brightness" for daytime use. With the headlights or parking lights on, your DRLs illuminate on "low brightness" all the time and blink "high brightness" during turns. The "low brightness" filament in the bulb is never turned off during blinking if the headlights or parking lights are on.
Amber-White Switchback bulbs have amber bulbs on the "high brightness" circuit and white bulbs on the "low brightness circuit. The difference between a switchback and a two-color LED bulb is the switchback bulb features circuitry to turn the "low brightness" WHITE side off any time it senses power on the "high brightness" amber side of the bulb. This gives the switchback bulb its distinctive look.
The "Switchbacks" on the bay are nothing more than two colored bulbs. They would work in a car that kills the low power lights to the DRL to blink the high power lights. They don't work on a Corvette, because the Corvette leaves the low powered DRL circuit on when the high powered circuit is blinking.
I ordered some other bulbs that burned out after two days. Junk. I ordered some from JW, and they are rock solid.
Here is how it works. Corvette DRL/front turn indicators have two circuits, referred to as low brightness and high brighness. With the headlights off, your DRLS illuminate on "high brightness" for daytime use. With the headlights or parking lights on, your DRLs illuminate on "low brightness" all the time and blink "high brightness" during turns. The "low brightness" filament in the bulb is never turned off during blinking if the headlights or parking lights are on.
Amber-White Switchback bulbs have amber bulbs on the "high brightness" circuit and white bulbs on the "low brightness circuit. The difference between a switchback and a two-color LED bulb is the switchback bulb features circuitry to turn the "low brightness" WHITE side off any time it senses power on the "high brightness" amber side of the bulb. This gives the switchback bulb its distinctive look.
The "Switchbacks" on the bay are nothing more than two colored bulbs. They would work in a car that kills the low power lights to the DRL to blink the high power lights. They don't work on a Corvette, because the Corvette leaves the low powered DRL circuit on when the high powered circuit is blinking.
I ordered some other bulbs that burned out after two days. Junk. I ordered some from JW, and they are rock solid.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 228
Likes: 1
From: eustis FL Saved and blessed; what else matter?
That answers my question. When I first installed the auction bay dual color lights, and turned on the ignition, the bright white DRL's came on. After starting the car the bright whites never came on again and the DRL's are low level amber. Guess I'd better order switchbacks. On the other hand, I have not tried resistors, and don't know where to do so.
To update this, the issue was with cheap bulbs from that online auction bay.
Here is how it works. Corvette DRL/front turn indicators have two circuits, referred to as low brightness and high brighness. With the headlights off, your DRLS illuminate on "high brightness" for daytime use. With the headlights or parking lights on, your DRLs illuminate on "low brightness" all the time and blink "high brightness" during turns. The "low brightness" filament in the bulb is never turned off during blinking if the headlights or parking lights are on.
Amber-White Switchback bulbs have amber bulbs on the "high brightness" circuit and white bulbs on the "low brightness circuit. The difference between a switchback and a two-color LED bulb is the switchback bulb features circuitry to turn the "low brightness" WHITE side off any time it senses power on the "high brightness" amber side of the bulb. This gives the switchback bulb its distinctive look.
The "Switchbacks" on the bay are nothing more than two colored bulbs. They would work in a car that kills the low power lights to the DRL to blink the high power lights. They don't work on a Corvette, because the Corvette leaves the low powered DRL circuit on when the high powered circuit is blinking.
I ordered some other bulbs that burned out after two days. Junk. I ordered some from JW, and they are rock solid.
Here is how it works. Corvette DRL/front turn indicators have two circuits, referred to as low brightness and high brighness. With the headlights off, your DRLS illuminate on "high brightness" for daytime use. With the headlights or parking lights on, your DRLs illuminate on "low brightness" all the time and blink "high brightness" during turns. The "low brightness" filament in the bulb is never turned off during blinking if the headlights or parking lights are on.
Amber-White Switchback bulbs have amber bulbs on the "high brightness" circuit and white bulbs on the "low brightness circuit. The difference between a switchback and a two-color LED bulb is the switchback bulb features circuitry to turn the "low brightness" WHITE side off any time it senses power on the "high brightness" amber side of the bulb. This gives the switchback bulb its distinctive look.
The "Switchbacks" on the bay are nothing more than two colored bulbs. They would work in a car that kills the low power lights to the DRL to blink the high power lights. They don't work on a Corvette, because the Corvette leaves the low powered DRL circuit on when the high powered circuit is blinking.
I ordered some other bulbs that burned out after two days. Junk. I ordered some from JW, and they are rock solid.
Last edited by mtdoragary; Aug 4, 2012 at 04:24 PM.
