LED bulbs Don't work for turn signals

[TomoHawk]

I got a pair of 1156 LED bulbs (they were on sale) to try in the back for the turn signals, and the only thing they do is turn on, with no flashing.

Does anyone sell some LED bulbs that will work properly? a set of 1157 LED bulbs would then be installed in the fronts.

thxZ

[SteveJ]

It's probably not your LEDs. Most likely, you're using a flasher that isn't designed for LEDs. Find the Sold on LEDs thread and look at the last few posts.

[Z dreams]

I believe that the stock flasher unit is heat operated. You would need one for LED. Threads on this site will give you more info.

[TomoHawk]

The design of the base and contact points isn't good either. I put in an 1157 for the brake lamp, and the light was on intermittently. I could jiggle the bulb to get it on, then after you lock it to the fixture, it goes out. the tiny little contacts just don't work right.

BTW- the first attempt with the rear turn signals used the SMD type bulbs, and the second with the front turn signals used the traditional LED bulbs. Also, when I tried the latter in the rear brake lamp, it created a 'hot spot' on the lens both with the brake off and even brighter with the brake on. Maybe the SMD-equipped lamps would be more like incandescent bulbs.

IMO, To use LEdDs in the tail lamps and any other lamp on the exterior body would involve re-engineering the lamp with an array of LEDs, like Dave (Zs-ondebrain) has done.

That is, until you can buy an LED panel that fills the lens with light.

[TomoHawk]

Thanks for the suggestion of the electronic flasher.

First of all, the AP websites all tell me that the (Tridon 35) flasher isn't compatible with my car. (just kidding but after reading the last part of "Sold on LEDs" I think I will keep using the incandescent bulbs- no offense...

I just don't think I want to rewire the car just to try some different bulbs.

BTW- I was interested in usng the LEDs only on the turn signals because of the way the light "snaps" on&off, thinking it might add little safety when driving.

I will limit my use of LEDs in the car to the high-mount brake lamp, or the flashlight I keep in the tool bin.

[SteveJ]

Thanks for the suggestion of the electronic flasher.

First of all, the AP websites all tell me that the (Tridon 35) flasher isn't compatible with my car. (just kidding but after reading the last part of "Sold on LEDs" I think I will keep using the incandescent bulbs- no offense...

I just don't think I want to rewire the car just to try some different bulbs.

BTW- I was interested in usng the LEDs only on the turn signals because of the way the light "snaps" on&off, thinking it might add little safety when driving.

I will limit my use of LEDs in the car to the high-mount brake lamp, or the flashlight I keep in the tool bin.

Rewire the car? All you have to do is use a Tridon 34 and run a ground wire. *SMH*

[SteveJ]

Thanks for the suggestion of the electronic flasher.

First of all, the AP websites all tell me that the (Tridon 35) flasher isn't compatible with my car. (just kidding but after reading the last part of "Sold on LEDs" I think I will keep using the incandescent bulbs- no offense...

I just don't think I want to rewire the car just to try some different bulbs.

BTW- I was interested in usng the LEDs only on the turn signals because of the way the light "snaps" on&off, thinking it might add little safety when driving.

I will limit my use of LEDs in the car to the high-mount brake lamp, or the flashlight I keep in the tool bin.

Rewire the car? All you have to do is use a Tridon 34 and run a ground wire. If that's too difficult, consider selling your Z and buying a new Honda. *SMH*

[TomoHawk]

It sounded more complicated than that. I would never buy an Asian import either. When I buy a new car, I buy a domestic brand.

[TomoHawk]

Z Dreams-

I don't think of the flasher unit as being heat-operated, but it does have a bimetal strip in it, and you need the proper resistance in the lamp circuit to have the flashing at a reasonable tempo.

[TomoHawk]

I saw another discussion here that mentioned a Law Enforcement officer (LEO) might pull you over for having LED tail lamps. Why would they? Do some states have laws prohibiting the use of LEDs on older cars?

[bpilati]

I saw another discussion here that mentioned a Law Enforcement officer (LEO) might pull you over for having LED tail lamps. Why would they? Do some states have laws prohibiting the use of LEDs on older cars?

Lights can be a tricky thing, because the DOT is particular about the color, number and brightness of them. There are lots of mods out there, but their technical legality may be questionable. They may question your modified lights if the the lights and housings weren't designed together. Then again it may not matter on an old car.

[TomoHawk]

IMO, the only reason I would think that Law Enforcement might not like your LED lamps is if they were done very badly.

New cars are "a dime a dozen," and usually adequately provisioned with bright lamps, so I would not even bother considering "upgrading" to LED lights. For the sake of an irreplaceable vintage vehicle, I thought of the LED lights because of the instantaneous illumination, and that they are usually brighter, for safety, especially for the brake lamps and rear turn signals.

I'm inclined to build the LED panel as Dave has done, but the bulb exchange seemed to be much simpler. The panels would be a long-term winter project.

[Kurbycar32]

I proactively installed digital flashers in my 260z without any issues, the pair of them cost about 10 bucks at Orielly auto. As I have mentioned before, light is more complicated that people assume and the biggest mistakes are using thermal flashers or putting a white LED behind a red or yellow colored lens. You might get flagged for a ticket if for example you install a white LED behind your brake lens, which would generate white, not red light when braking. If you install electronic flasher units and use colored LED's that match the lens they are behind its a pretty simple procedure to convert to LED.

[TomoHawk]

Somebody should make a good writeup on this topic and send it in to ZCCM.