The Ford Barn

Model A Ron · 05-15-2023, 09:36 PM

I changed out my tail lights with LED's and now the signals stopped working. Do I need to add something to the system to restore the flashers when using LED Bulbs?

Tom Endy · 05-15-2023, 09:48 PM

You are not pulling enough current to cause the bi-metal switch in the flasher to actuate. If you are using your cowl lights as the front turn signals change out the bulbs for ones that pull more current. I have the same set up on my Vic. Bratton's carry the brighter cowl light bulbs. Otherwise add a ballast resister in the circuit to draw more current.

Tom Endy

Jim/GA · 05-15-2023, 10:19 PM

Tom is correct. Another solution is to use an electronic flasher unit:
https://www.brattons.com/6-VOLT-POSI...uctinfo/18761/

nkaminar · 05-16-2023, 05:44 AM

If you use a different flasher, check the pinouts. Different flashers have different pinouts. You may have to build an adapter or a different harness.

I used the resistors. Wire then in parallel to the LED bulbs. They are available online. The resistors can be anywhere, from under the car to behind the quarter panels. They may get hot if used a lot, like when using the emergency flashers, so keep that in mind.

An interesting sideline: When using LED's on modern cars, the computer will tell you that you have a burned out bulb. You have to use the resistors to eliminate the warning. The computer does the flashing and generates the tick tock noise and puts it out over the speakers. I spent an entire day looking for the flasher in my modern truck.

katy · 05-18-2023, 10:21 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

When using LED's on modern cars, the computer will tell you that you have a burned out bulb.

Not all "modern" cars have that feature.

05-15-2023, 09:36 PM	#1
Model A Ron Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Troutman, NC Posts: 717	Signals stoped working with LED's I changed out my tail lights with LED's and now the signals stopped working. Do I need to add something to the system to restore the flashers when using LED Bulbs?

05-15-2023, 09:48 PM	#2
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Signals stoped working with LED's You are not pulling enough current to cause the bi-metal switch in the flasher to actuate. If you are using your cowl lights as the front turn signals change out the bulbs for ones that pull more current. I have the same set up on my Vic. Bratton's carry the brighter cowl light bulbs. Otherwise add a ballast resister in the circuit to draw more current. Tom Endy

05-15-2023, 10:19 PM	#3
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,821	Re: Signals stoped working with LED's Tom is correct. Another solution is to use an electronic flasher unit: https://www.brattons.com/6-VOLT-POSI...uctinfo/18761/ __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

05-16-2023, 05:44 AM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Signals stoped working with LED's If you use a different flasher, check the pinouts. Different flashers have different pinouts. You may have to build an adapter or a different harness. I used the resistors. Wire then in parallel to the LED bulbs. They are available online. The resistors can be anywhere, from under the car to behind the quarter panels. They may get hot if used a lot, like when using the emergency flashers, so keep that in mind. An interesting sideline: When using LED's on modern cars, the computer will tell you that you have a burned out bulb. You have to use the resistors to eliminate the warning. The computer does the flashing and generates the tick tock noise and puts it out over the speakers. I spent an entire day looking for the flasher in my modern truck. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.