LED replacement issues 2003 C5
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Centreville VA
LED replacement issues 2003 C5
After watching 'my corvette life' on Youtube, I decided to upgrade my c-5 low beams to LED. I choose the Lasfit led that was shown on the youtube video. Installation went very smooth in spite of my general clumsiness. I cleaned the connectors and plugged in the replacement bulbs and they tested OK. Then I placed them back in the housing as instructed.and they worked great.
I then turned off both the headlights and parking lights but the pop ups didn't retract. I double checked the connections and seating of the new bulb but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. However I then noticed that the new LED lights were not turning off, only dimming when the headlight switch was in the off position.
After futzing around (including taking out and re-installing LED lamps) and looking at various forums, I re-installed the old lamps. Everything works OK.
Problems: 1) LED lights don't turn off in the off position. However they did in the parking light position. 2) The headlights wouldn't retract when LED lights are installed. (I suspect that the electronics don't permit retraction if they sense the light drawing current).
Any ideas what would cause these issues?
I then turned off both the headlights and parking lights but the pop ups didn't retract. I double checked the connections and seating of the new bulb but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. However I then noticed that the new LED lights were not turning off, only dimming when the headlight switch was in the off position.
After futzing around (including taking out and re-installing LED lamps) and looking at various forums, I re-installed the old lamps. Everything works OK.
Problems: 1) LED lights don't turn off in the off position. However they did in the parking light position. 2) The headlights wouldn't retract when LED lights are installed. (I suspect that the electronics don't permit retraction if they sense the light drawing current).
Any ideas what would cause these issues?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: I finished a Marathon, did you? Michigan
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Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Centreville VA
I was able to correct the issue. The 9006 bulb worked OK once I installed an additional resistor. (O-NEX LED Resistor Kit HB4 9006 Relay Harness Adapter 50W 8 Ohm Anti Flicker Error Decoder Warning Canceller (fits: 9005, 9145, H10)). This resistor, I found out, is needed for the Corvette (Year 2003) retractable headlights to work with LED bulbs.
I haven't analized the circuitry but it appears that there need to be a certain draw on the relay for it to work. That draw is needed so the popups don't retract if there is a burnt out standard bulb. The LED's don't draw enough current for the relay to activate. Additional draw of current with the resistor in parallel to the LED's draw enough to trip the relay and let the headlight retract.
Thanks for the suggestions and guidance.
I haven't analized the circuitry but it appears that there need to be a certain draw on the relay for it to work. That draw is needed so the popups don't retract if there is a burnt out standard bulb. The LED's don't draw enough current for the relay to activate. Additional draw of current with the resistor in parallel to the LED's draw enough to trip the relay and let the headlight retract.
Thanks for the suggestions and guidance.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,462
Likes: 460
From: East Windsor NJ
I was able to correct the issue. The 9006 bulb worked OK once I installed an additional resistor. (O-NEX LED Resistor Kit HB4 9006 Relay Harness Adapter 50W 8 Ohm Anti Flicker Error Decoder Warning Canceller (fits: 9005, 9145, H10)). This resistor, I found out, is needed for the Corvette (Year 2003) retractable headlights to work with LED bulbs.
I haven't analized the circuitry but it appears that there need to be a certain draw on the relay for it to work. That draw is needed so the popups don't retract if there is a burnt out standard bulb. The LED's don't draw enough current for the relay to activate. Additional draw of current with the resistor in parallel to the LED's draw enough to trip the relay and let the headlight retract.
Thanks for the suggestions and guidance.
I haven't analized the circuitry but it appears that there need to be a certain draw on the relay for it to work. That draw is needed so the popups don't retract if there is a burnt out standard bulb. The LED's don't draw enough current for the relay to activate. Additional draw of current with the resistor in parallel to the LED's draw enough to trip the relay and let the headlight retract.
Thanks for the suggestions and guidance.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 147
Likes: 45
From: Highland Lakes NJ
I was able to correct the issue. The 9006 bulb worked OK once I installed an additional resistor. (O-NEX LED Resistor Kit HB4 9006 Relay Harness Adapter 50W 8 Ohm Anti Flicker Error Decoder Warning Canceller (fits: 9005, 9145, H10)). This resistor, I found out, is needed for the Corvette (Year 2003) retractable headlights to work with LED bulbs.
I haven't analized the circuitry but it appears that there need to be a certain draw on the relay for it to work. That draw is needed so the popups don't retract if there is a burnt out standard bulb. The LED's don't draw enough current for the relay to activate. Additional draw of current with the resistor in parallel to the LED's draw enough to trip the relay and let the headlight retract.
Thanks for the suggestions and guidance.
I haven't analized the circuitry but it appears that there need to be a certain draw on the relay for it to work. That draw is needed so the popups don't retract if there is a burnt out standard bulb. The LED's don't draw enough current for the relay to activate. Additional draw of current with the resistor in parallel to the LED's draw enough to trip the relay and let the headlight retract.
Thanks for the suggestions and guidance.
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