LED flasher for LED front & rear
Sounds like the right (passenger) side is working as designed. Those switchback bulbs have white for parking lights (normally the dim filament of a 3157 bulb) and amber for the turn signals (normally the bright filament of a 3157 bulb). F-bodies use the turn signal circuit for daytime running lights so the switchbacks will be solid amber when the ignition is on and the parking brake is released except for when your headlights are on.
The driver's side doesn't seem to be making a connection for the DRL/turn signal circuit. That could be the bulb's wire contact is bent out of position, the bulb is reversed, the socket is corroded, or something is wrong with the blue wire into the socket.
The driver's side doesn't seem to be making a connection for the DRL/turn signal circuit. That could be the bulb's wire contact is bent out of position, the bulb is reversed, the socket is corroded, or something is wrong with the blue wire into the socket.
Sounds like the right (passenger) side is working as designed. Those switchback bulbs have white for parking lights (normally the dim filament of a 3157 bulb) and amber for the turn signals (normally the bright filament of a 3157 bulb). F-bodies use the turn signal circuit for daytime running lights so the switchbacks will be solid amber when the ignition is on and the parking brake is released except for when your headlights are on.
The driver's side doesn't seem to be making a connection for the DRL/turn signal circuit. That could be the bulb's wire contact is bent out of position, the bulb is reversed, the socket is corroded, or something is wrong with the blue wire into the socket.
The driver's side doesn't seem to be making a connection for the DRL/turn signal circuit. That could be the bulb's wire contact is bent out of position, the bulb is reversed, the socket is corroded, or something is wrong with the blue wire into the socket.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
You should have the following conditions:
Headlights off: front lamps off until ignition is on and parking brake released when they will go on solid amber. They should flash amber/off with the turn signals or hazard flashers and then return to solid amber.
Headlights on: front lamps will be on solid white. They should flash either amber/off or amber/white (depending on whether they are type 1 or type 2 switchbacks) with the turn signals and hazard flashers and then return to solid white.
If they turn on amber with the headlights then they aren't switchbacks or your wiring is seriously messed up. If they don't respond properly in other ways then you probably have one of the problems mentioned earlier - socket, wiring, bulb contacts or the bulb itself.
Headlights off: front lamps off until ignition is on and parking brake released when they will go on solid amber. They should flash amber/off with the turn signals or hazard flashers and then return to solid amber.
Headlights on: front lamps will be on solid white. They should flash either amber/off or amber/white (depending on whether they are type 1 or type 2 switchbacks) with the turn signals and hazard flashers and then return to solid white.
If they turn on amber with the headlights then they aren't switchbacks or your wiring is seriously messed up. If they don't respond properly in other ways then you probably have one of the problems mentioned earlier - socket, wiring, bulb contacts or the bulb itself.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
I used a "Keep It Clean FF552NLF No Load Fixed Flasher" that I bought on Amazon for $15 delivered.
Amazon.com: Keep It Clean FF552NLF No Load Fixed Flasher: Automotive
Amazon.com: Keep It Clean FF552NLF No Load Fixed Flasher: Automotive
This is exactly how it sounds like. I have the same sound coming from the LED flasher in my Grand Prix that has LED's on all the exterior lighting.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
I never added photos of when I swapped out the LED's into my 02 SS.
These were taken during the day with my phone.
I don't have any night photos of the front turn signals. But these are amber XP80's
Backup light which is an XP80
I had a lot of light in the background with the sensor light on the garage but the XP80's in the tail lights are very bright.
Tail lights only
Brakes applied
Quick video comparing LED's and halogen in the rear turn signals.
Left LED vs Right XP80 LED
https://vimeo.com/174143867
I will have to get some better photos at night.
These were taken during the day with my phone.
I don't have any night photos of the front turn signals. But these are amber XP80's
Backup light which is an XP80
I had a lot of light in the background with the sensor light on the garage but the XP80's in the tail lights are very bright.
Tail lights only
Brakes applied
Quick video comparing LED's and halogen in the rear turn signals.
Left LED vs Right XP80 LED
https://vimeo.com/174143867
I will have to get some better photos at night.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Just for clarification... standard miniature bulbs (1157, 3157, 194, etc.) are not halogen. They're just incandescent. They have a vacuum inside the globe rather than halogen gas like the H series bulbs (H1, H4, H9, etc.).
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
Correct. There is a method to my madness. The average joe doesn't have that kind of knowledge. So I put that halogen on them so when they see the photos on diode dynamics they know the difference.
Does the FF552NLF sound any different than the EL12? I have EL12 flashers installed that function fine, but I'm wondering if it's worth changing them out if the sound is better.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
Hopefully someone else can answer that. I never used the EL12. But if you are going to be running LED's all around then the FF552NLF is what you want.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Eastern MA
If I remember correctly, standard bulbs don't have a vacuum either, but another gas, often argon.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
That's true... standard (i.e. household) incandescent bulbs use inert gas but miniature bulbs often use vacuum because it's cheaper. The K and LL versions of miniature bulbs (e.g. 3157K and 3157LL) use low pressure inert gas because it improves filament life - K for krypton and usually an argon/nitrogen mix for LL - but they cost more.
Im glad I found this thread. I have LED DRLs and reverse bulbs, and my el12 flasher keeps burning up and dying every so often. Hazards work fine, but no turn signals. Ill order the FF552NLF flasher and see how it works. Im glad its not as loud either.
[QUOTE=The Guz;19340485]I forgot to post up some feedback. So I purchased two of these. It works just fine. I have LED's in the front and in the rear tails. Everything works like normal.
So your cruise now works as well? Even with the lights on? Just ordered the flashers you suggested for my T/A. Camaro looks great btw!
So your cruise now works as well? Even with the lights on? Just ordered the flashers you suggested for my T/A. Camaro looks great btw!
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
[QUOTE=00WS6nSC;19497384] Thanks. Everything works fine. I will double check again the next time I drive it. I rarely drive it at night.
I forgot to post up some feedback. So I purchased two of these. It works just fine. I have LED's in the front and in the rear tails. Everything works like normal.
So your cruise now works as well? Even with the lights on? Just ordered the flashers you suggested for my T/A. Camaro looks great btw!
So your cruise now works as well? Even with the lights on? Just ordered the flashers you suggested for my T/A. Camaro looks great btw!
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2020
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I never added photos of when I swapped out the LED's into my 02 SS.
These were taken during the day with my phone.
Attachment 594934
Attachment 594935
I don't have any night photos of the front turn signals. But these are amber XP80's
Attachment 594936
Attachment 594937
Backup light which is an XP80
Attachment 594938
I had a lot of light in the background with the sensor light on the garage but the XP80's in the tail lights are very bright.
Tail lights only
Attachment 594939
Brakes applied
Attachment 594940
Quick video comparing LED's and halogen in the rear turn signals.
Left LED vs Right XP80 LED
https://vimeo.com/174143867
I will have to get some better photos at night.
These were taken during the day with my phone.
Attachment 594934
Attachment 594935
I don't have any night photos of the front turn signals. But these are amber XP80's
Attachment 594936
Attachment 594937
Backup light which is an XP80
Attachment 594938
I had a lot of light in the background with the sensor light on the garage but the XP80's in the tail lights are very bright.
Tail lights only
Attachment 594939
Brakes applied
Attachment 594940
Quick video comparing LED's and halogen in the rear turn signals.
Left LED vs Right XP80 LED
https://vimeo.com/174143867
I will have to get some better photos at night.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,460
Likes: 12
From: Lawndale, CA (310)
All I did was remove and install the LED bulb from diode dynamics. I am not familiar with those sylvania bulbs. They are the correct size so they should work. Did you try flipping them to see if they are in the correct orientation.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Ok, I think I Just need to change the flasher to the no load FF552 I'm currently running the EL12. I did flip the turn signal kneed but can't remember if I did that with the brake light ones. Im try that, thanks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,330
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The flasher has absolutely nothing to do with your brake lights - it only flashes the turn signals. You don't say what vehicle you have but on an LS1 Camaro the turn signals and brakes are two completely separate circuits. Even on a Firebird, the circuits are separate unless the turn signals are actually in use (the flasher is before the turn signal switch in the circuit).
Try reversing the bulbs in the sockets but I doubt that will fix them because if they were backward, the parking lights wouldn't work either. I've been assuming that you have an f-body or at least a GM product. You don't have a Toyota, do you? They take a different type of 3157 bulb with a CK base. The four contacts of a CK bulb are arranged differently making them incompatible. Conversely, if you do have an f-body, could you have bought CK type bulbs by mistake?
The first thing to do is put the original incandescent bulbs back and see if they work. If not, check your STOP/HAZARD fuse (#1 - 20A). A blown fuse would certainly explain the symptoms but why it blew would be the important question. Again, putting a CK bulb in a standard socket would blow the fuse.
If the original bulbs still work then the fuse is okay and the problem is with the LED bulbs. Check that the four wire contacts on the bulb base are straight and aligned with the contacts inside the socket when you install the bulbs. If all else fails, try installing one in the front and see if your turn signals and DRLs work. That would be certain proof if the bulbs are faulty. Perhaps they are 3156 bulbs that are mispackaged as 3157 (3156 only has one brightness while 3157 has bright and dim - otherwise they look identical).
Try reversing the bulbs in the sockets but I doubt that will fix them because if they were backward, the parking lights wouldn't work either. I've been assuming that you have an f-body or at least a GM product. You don't have a Toyota, do you? They take a different type of 3157 bulb with a CK base. The four contacts of a CK bulb are arranged differently making them incompatible. Conversely, if you do have an f-body, could you have bought CK type bulbs by mistake?
The first thing to do is put the original incandescent bulbs back and see if they work. If not, check your STOP/HAZARD fuse (#1 - 20A). A blown fuse would certainly explain the symptoms but why it blew would be the important question. Again, putting a CK bulb in a standard socket would blow the fuse.
If the original bulbs still work then the fuse is okay and the problem is with the LED bulbs. Check that the four wire contacts on the bulb base are straight and aligned with the contacts inside the socket when you install the bulbs. If all else fails, try installing one in the front and see if your turn signals and DRLs work. That would be certain proof if the bulbs are faulty. Perhaps they are 3156 bulbs that are mispackaged as 3157 (3156 only has one brightness while 3157 has bright and dim - otherwise they look identical).
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2018
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From: New Baden Illinois