Upgraded lights to LED, Lost All Blinker Capability

[BGBronco]

I upgraded my Headlights / Front Blinkers / Taillights with a vendor LED kit yesterday. Big difference BUT now my ALL of my blinkers don't work. The flashers do work. Hoping it's something simple. Any ideas?

 

[hyghlndr]

This should help.

https://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294541&highlight=Wiring

 

[chuckji]

Did you install resistors on the turn lamps, or change the flashers to LED compatible type?
LEDs don’t draw much current so the old mechanical flashers won’t work with them - unless you use the resistors.

 

[BGBronco]

Yes, I did install the equalizers that came with the kit. Based in the TBP video, it's one for each side of the bronco so odd that neither side is working.

Did you install resistors on the turn lamps, or change the flashers to LED compatible type?
LEDs don’t draw much current so the old mechanical flashers won’t work with them - unless you use the resistors.

 

[chuckji]

Yes, I did install the equalizers that came with the kit. Based in the TBP video, it's one for each side of the bronco so odd that neither side is working.

Ok, so you should be good there.
Only two things come to mind:
1. Make sure one side of the resistor has a solid ground connection.
2. Double check the resistors connected to the turn signal wire and not the stop or reverse.

Hopefully it’s something simple.

 

[Slowleak]

LED bulbs, and flashers, are sensitive to polarity. If you have something reversed, like a bulb or a flasher, it may not work.

I really don’t know why these kits come with resistors except that it’s cheaper for the vendor. It requires hacking up your wiring and adds another point of failure..... it’s much easier to just replace the flashers with LED flashers.

 

[KyddsPly]

LED bulbs, and flashers, are sensitive to polarity. If you have something reversed, like a bulb or a flasher, it may not work.

I really don’t know why these kits come with resistors except that it’s cheaper for the vendor. It requires hacking up your wiring and adds another point of failure..... it’s much easier to just replace the flashers with LED flashers.

I have to agree. I’d rather put a few extra bucks out and then start cutting in the wiring. Do any of the kids come with the new flashers? This is something I’ve been looking out for my bronco.


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[Slowleak]

I have to agree. I’d rather put a few extra bucks out and then start cutting in the wiring. Do any of the kids come with the new flashers? This is something I’ve been looking out for my bronco.


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I don’t know if the kits do but you can buy them anywhere. I use a Grotte 44891. Got it off Amazon. It’s one of the few that clicks like the old mechanical flasher. I only had to replace the one for the turn signals. The emergency worked with LED bulbs and old flasher.

I’m not sure if I had to reverse the wires on the Grotte flasher. I messed around with so many of them that I can’t keep them straight.

 

[chuckji]

LED bulbs, and flashers, are sensitive to polarity. If you have something reversed, like a bulb or a flasher, it may not work.

I really don’t know why these kits come with resistors except that it’s cheaper for the vendor. It requires hacking up your wiring and adds another point of failure..... it’s much easier to just replace the flashers with LED flashers.

Agreed. Plus kind of defeats the advantage of less current draw.

 

[Slowleak]

Agreed. Plus kind of defeats the advantage of less current draw.

Reminds me of my neighbor. He got new LED bulbs to replace his fluorescent tubes and paid more because he could keep his ballasts.....

 

[BGBronco]

open to all options. I'll report back. If I buy the LED Flasher, do I need to remove the equalizers that came with the kit?

 

[Slowleak]

open to all options. I'll report back. If I buy the LED Flasher, do I need to remove the equalizers that came with the kit?

I would. Some flashers may work with both types bulbs but I would want to keep it as simple as possible.

 

[charlie6976]

When I went LED, I purchased both, LED flashers and equalizers. I put the LED flashers in the Bronco. And I put the equalizers in a drawer in the garage. Everything works fine.

 

[BGBronco]

I have a feeling I connected the equalizer to the tail light and not the blinker. I for sure connected it to the constant power (male) which I'm assuming was the taillight. Too cold to check right now!

 

[Broncobowsher]

Put both resistors on one side and see if that is enough load to get that side working. The typical load resistor is good for replacing the load on one light bulb.

Then take them off and put an LED flasher in and call it good.

 

[BGBronco]

Still struggling with this. I switched the wires that the equalizer was attached to on the drivers side of the truck.

I did have blinkers until I screwed in the taillight which either grounded / ungrounded it. No Blinkers.

I added an LED flasher. Removed the equalizer (drivers side). No blinkers.

What's next?

 

[Slowleak]

Still struggling with this. I switched the wires that the equalizer was attached to on the drivers side of the truck.

I did have blinkers until I screwed in the taillight which either grounded / ungrounded it. No Blinkers.

I added an LED flasher. Removed the equalizer (drivers side). No blinkers.

What's next?

Do the lights come on but just not blink? The polarity may be wrong on your flasher. It’s easy to make a couple of wires to switch the connections. Some flashers come with them or an adapter.

https://upcarparts.com/led-flasher-w-reverse-polarity-base-extension-wires

 

[BGBronco]

Well mine didn't. That's next on the list. Thank you.

Do the lights come on but just not blink? The polarity may be wrong on your flasher. It’s easy to make a couple of wires to switch the connections. Some flashers come with them or an adapter.

https://upcarparts.com/led-flasher-w-reverse-polarity-base-extension-wires

 

[charlie6976]

Try putting one non - LED light back in (try front left blinker). If that causes enough
resistance to work, then there is something wrong with the new flasher or new flasher set up. My LED flashers had no ground wire. Could be good and bad flashers.