Ghost/Phantom Flashing Instrument Colum Lights
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Ghost/Phantom Flashing Instrument Colum Lights
Hello All,
Here is the problem: I own a 2004 C5. I purchased 80w Cree flashback LED's, flashback harness x2, DRL housing with re drilled hole in back of DRL to accommodate the 80w Cree.
The install went fine until the headlights turned on. At that point the dash/interior lights start blinking rapidly when the headlights are initiated.
I purchased these items from Radioflyer Innovations. My Mechanic Called George (Radio Flyer) by phone, and asked what might be the issue. George said it was an issue that has been attributed to the Multi function switch connections being bad.
Funny thing is, when my mechanic removed the flashback harness and went back to original connections of the DRL, everything worked correctly with no electrical issues.
Before I purchase the Harness or have my steering column dismantled, does anyone have any other suggested course of actions ?
I sure want to use my new purchases but this is a headache.
Thanks
Here is the problem: I own a 2004 C5. I purchased 80w Cree flashback LED's, flashback harness x2, DRL housing with re drilled hole in back of DRL to accommodate the 80w Cree.
The install went fine until the headlights turned on. At that point the dash/interior lights start blinking rapidly when the headlights are initiated.
I purchased these items from Radioflyer Innovations. My Mechanic Called George (Radio Flyer) by phone, and asked what might be the issue. George said it was an issue that has been attributed to the Multi function switch connections being bad.
Funny thing is, when my mechanic removed the flashback harness and went back to original connections of the DRL, everything worked correctly with no electrical issues.
Before I purchase the Harness or have my steering column dismantled, does anyone have any other suggested course of actions ?
I sure want to use my new purchases but this is a headache.
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 156
Likes: 19
From: Reading Pennsylvania
I had a similar problem when i went to LEDs in the DRL. Radioflyer suggested I clean my grounds especially #7 and #8. I cleaned all the grounds in the engine compartment. That solved my problem.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Darrell98, thank you for the response and tip. Will be trying this very soon. I'll let you know how this works out.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
This will be a lengthy post so please forgive. I checked all of my ground points and all were rust and grime free. Here is the unusual part, I purchased modified DRL housings (hole drilled in back) from Radio Flyer, and also the 80 watt Cree flash back DRLs.
I installed the 80 watt Cree in the original C5 DRL Harness, turned on the vehicle with the parking break disengaged and obtained the yellow DRL. Next I turned the headlight stalk one click (headlights down) and presto, the White DRL in the Cree replaced the yellow DRL!
Next I applied the turn signals and presto again, the 80 watt Cree flashback LEDs went from white to yellow and finally, headlights up and on with no flashing lights in the instrumental panel/console !!
Needless to say I am very pleased. I was under the impression you needed a flash back harness to obtain these functions. As a side note, I found a you-tube video by Junk-man called "Changing your DRL in 2 minutes!"
Best of all, I saved myself mucho time and money by watching the vid and turning my headlamp stalk 1 click, no flashback harnesses and no phantom flashing instrument cluster lights
Last edited by Brand___X; Sep 22, 2015 at 05:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Columbia SC
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I think the harness you're talking about makes the bulbs always white unless the signal is on and then they flash yellow. It's for those who don't want a yellow DRL.
FYI, the corner lights really aren't DRL lights. They are the main front combination turn/parking bulbs. DRL is a function added to cars that turns-on certain lights during the day. The C5 turns-on the turn signal lights.
FYI, the corner lights really aren't DRL lights. They are the main front combination turn/parking bulbs. DRL is a function added to cars that turns-on certain lights during the day. The C5 turns-on the turn signal lights.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I think the harness you're talking about makes the bulbs always white unless the signal is on and then they flash yellow. It's for those who don't want a yellow DRL.
FYI, the corner lights really aren't DRL lights. They are the main front combination turn/parking bulbs. DRL is a function added to cars that turns-on certain lights during the day. The C5 turns-on the turn signal lights.
FYI, the corner lights really aren't DRL lights. They are the main front combination turn/parking bulbs. DRL is a function added to cars that turns-on certain lights during the day. The C5 turns-on the turn signal lights.
Thanks again
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I have read a lot of posts where guys have replaced lights with LED and had all kind of problems so I live with what i have, although I have got led backup lights and I asked before I purchased if I would encounter any of these problems. Good luck
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South Western Ontario
Well ya, that bulb is yellow for turn and white for running lights so if you put the running lights on then it will be white. There are 2 power feeds to the bulb, one for each function. many people think the same filament in the bulb does both the running light and signal but it doesn't. There are separate filaments for each function.
The likely problem with the harness install was having a socket plugged in backwards. It's fairly easy to do.
The likely problem with the harness install was having a socket plugged in backwards. It's fairly easy to do.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Well ya, that bulb is yellow for turn and white for running lights so if you put the running lights on then it will be white. There are 2 power feeds to the bulb, one for each function. many people think the same filament in the bulb does both the running light and signal but it doesn't. There are separate filaments for each function.
The likely problem with the harness install was having a socket plugged in backwards. It's fairly easy to do.
The likely problem with the harness install was having a socket plugged in backwards. It's fairly easy to do.
I was with my mechanic when he was installing the harness + we had George (radio flyer) on the phone at the same time. George walked us thru all install/trouble shooting scenarios to correct the issue including the reversal of the harness connections but to no avail.
The point is, from what I have read and been told, I needed a flashback harness for the the white light to act as a DRL thus canceling the yellow DRL, and for the turn signal to change from white to yellow when activated. Turns out I did not need to purchase the harness's for this to occur. Thanks a million, I appreciate your input
Supporting Vendor
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From: Republic of Texas
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
A switchback LED lights yellow for the turn signal and lights white for the parking/running.
The C5 uses the turn signal as the DRL.
When you turn-on the headlights either 1 or 2 clicks you TURN OFF the DRL and TURN ON the parking/running lights.
Conclusion - a switchback in the front of a C5 is yellow with the DRL or signals on and white with the headlights on.
If you want the DRL to be white then you MUST do a modification to the stock C5 wiring. You claiming you got a white DRL just by installing a switchback LED into the stock socket does nothing but confuse the next person who reads this claim.
The C5 uses the turn signal as the DRL.
When you turn-on the headlights either 1 or 2 clicks you TURN OFF the DRL and TURN ON the parking/running lights.
Conclusion - a switchback in the front of a C5 is yellow with the DRL or signals on and white with the headlights on.
If you want the DRL to be white then you MUST do a modification to the stock C5 wiring. You claiming you got a white DRL just by installing a switchback LED into the stock socket does nothing but confuse the next person who reads this claim.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
A switchback LED lights yellow for the turn signal and lights white for the parking/running.
The C5 uses the turn signal as the DRL.
When you turn-on the headlights either 1 or 2 clicks you TURN OFF the DRL and TURN ON the parking/running lights.
Conclusion - a switchback in the front of a C5 is yellow with the DRL or signals on and white with the headlights on.
If you want the DRL to be white then you MUST do a modification to the stock C5 wiring. You claiming you got a white DRL just by installing a switchback LED into the stock socket does nothing but confuse the next person who reads this claim.
The C5 uses the turn signal as the DRL.
When you turn-on the headlights either 1 or 2 clicks you TURN OFF the DRL and TURN ON the parking/running lights.
Conclusion - a switchback in the front of a C5 is yellow with the DRL or signals on and white with the headlights on.
If you want the DRL to be white then you MUST do a modification to the stock C5 wiring. You claiming you got a white DRL just by installing a switchback LED into the stock socket does nothing but confuse the next person who reads this claim.
If you are close to San Diego CA, I would be happy for you to inspect my vehicle. Confusing or not, my claim is fact and accurately reported.
Thanks again for your input.