Installed led tail lights and new flasher unit. All was well.

Today, I installed the switchback LEDs in the front turn signals. All is well up there, but when you put the directional on, the rear LEDs illuminate as if the brake was on and do not flash. The fronts change to orange and flash normally though.

Anyone run into this issue? I've searched Google for 30 minutes with nothing of the sort. I put the stock bulbs back in the front and now the rears work fine.

I tried turning the front bulbs thinking it was a polarity issue, but it's not. I'm stumped.

 

Sounds like the total draw on the new lamps are not causing the correct latching of the signal relay.

 

I tried other led bulbs in the front so I can confirm its not related to the switchback bulbs.

That brings me back to the new flasher unit. Being that is made for LEDs, has the correct part number and works fine with the rear, what should I do now? Get another unit?

I don't really want to go with resistors as I've heard bad things about how hot they get.

 

Well this isn't what I wanted to see. Did you try the regular relay with the switchbacks?

 

I installed a set of switchbacks a few years back. I installed the flasher unit and resistors everything was fine till I hit the blinker and my stock navigation screen would flash.!! I took them out my retro fits have the led switchback ring!
Stock blinker relay made the light hyper flash

 

I didn't try the stock flasher as that just makes them hyper flash. Just replaced my flasher unit with one made for LEDs. The switchbacks aren't the issue, I think there's just not enough resistance with both front and rear LEDs.

I took out one of the red rear LEDs from the rear and put it in the front and it did the same thing as the switchbacks did. Leads me to believe it's the flasher unit, or I dunno.

 

It seems like you have ruled everything out besides the flasher. You can pick up an electronic flasher from any auto parts store and try it in the parking lot. Worst case you can just return it if it doesn't solve the problem. I replaced my flasher in '09 with one from Auto Zone and have run many different kinds of LEDs with it since.

Electronic flashers don't work off of resistance. You should be able to completely remove any of the bulbs and the rest should flash normal.

 

Haha. That was my plan for this morning! Going to try the Novita EP-27. The current one I have is just a generic cheap eBay EP-27.

None of the bulbs have anything wrong with them.

I really hope that clears up my issue. Otherwise, I guess I'll have to live with LEDs in the rear and incandescent in the front.

I take it you have front and rear LEDs that work fine? Did you need resistors on each light too?

 

You should not need resistors if the new flasher is working correctly. I've never had to use resistors.

 

Thanks!

I'll report back in a little bit when I pick up a new flasher.

 

Could you let us know how you make out with the new flasher. Thanks!

 

This thread should be moved to the Illumination & Lighting forum. Besides, thelariat02 probably would have given you the correct answer faster there.

 

I agree. I only posted here due to that section not having much activity.

Here are two videos. I replaced the flasher with another unit and when I having LEDs in all 4 corners, none of the light flash with the directionals on. But they all flash normally only when the running lights are off. In the second video, I have LEDs in the rear and incandescent up front and everything works as it should.

I really don't understand the issue.

Edit: just got off the phone with superbrightleds and they told me, based on the fact that the directionals only flash when incandescent bulbs are in the front means I need to install load resistors as well as the flasher unit. He recommended 25 watt 25 ohm. Man, what an annoyance this is becoming. I really thought the flasher unit would do the trick. Now I need to decide if I want to go that route or just stick with led rear / incandescent up front. I just don't like the difference between how the two types flash. LEDs are instant whereas the incandescent aren't.

 

I originally posted in the 2004-2008 section. My apologies.

Here's the thread

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...ml#post5175246

 

Maybe someone with more knowledge about using LEDs will be able to help you here, 2008_XL. I don't understand why you would need load resistors either, with the LED flasher, but I have to admit I am totally stumped regarding your problem.

- Jack