help needed led lights

Jimbob:-) · Sep 23, 2016

Hi all new to the forum so this is my first question. Ive just fitted a set of led lights on my 200tdi defender.
It came with a 3 pin flasher relay and my original was 4 pin. Im currently using the 3pin - all lights work as they should but the relay constantly clicks when the ignition is on. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

brian47 · Sep 25, 2016

When you say "a set of led lights", exactly which lights are you talking about?
Side lights are fairly straightforward, remembering that LEDs are polarity conscious. Stop/tail lights are slightly different in that all that happens usually is that the LEDs brighten rather than an additional bank of LEDs light.
Headlights aren't really advised unless the whole light unit and system are changed to properly use LEDs.
Indicator lights can prove a problem because the flasher relay is usually current sensitive; it requires the correct current flowing through it to cause it to flash at the correct rate.
LEDs require a lot less current so a different flasher relay is required, or you can use a set of resistors across the LED terminals to simulate a filament bulb and then you can keep the original flasher relay and wiring.
The main reasons for changing to LEDs on a vehicle are looks, robustness and bragging rights. The amount of current being drawn isn't an often quoted reason.

Jimbob:-) · Sep 26, 2016

Hi brian thanks for your reply.
The led's i have are side lights , indicators and brake lights. I seem to have 2 problems at the moment...

1) as soon as the ignition is on the flasher relay clicks as if i was indicating which im not.
2) how much difference is there in light when the break is used as i dont seem to notice a change in brightness.

The leds i have are bearmach. It came with a relay which was 3 pin and my orignial was a 4pin. I thought the 4th pin was for trailer light.
I do have a wipac 4 pin relay on order. But not sure if its going to help.

What do you think?
Thanks

Bobsticle · Sep 26, 2016

Not enough currant for a clicking relay. They work off a bimetallic strip that heats up. You have to go digital. Same thing but no click.
The brake lights should be a lot brighter than the tail lights. Make sure you have wired them the right way round. If the brake lights are on as side lights I doubt you could see any difference if you press the brakes and the sidelights come on.

Jimbob:-) · Sep 26, 2016

Hi bobsticl thanks for your reply.
Thats a very good point about the brake lights im sure all wires were colour coded.
I will try and find time after work to check them out.

Thanks again

Jimbob:-) · Sep 26, 2016

Just had a thought when side lights are off the brake light work.

Just added this incase it made a difference

Jimbob:-) · Sep 26, 2016

Checked all wiring and seems to be fine.
Hopfully my new relay will arrive and it may sort it self out.

Bobsticle · Sep 27, 2016

I myself have been doing a bit of tinkering and while at it I noticed two lights had burnt out..... again.
I cant believe I have gone through six bulbs in a year. So after reading this I ordered a set of new LED indicator and side light bulbs.

My god they are awful on a series. Screaming white side lights on the front. I hate them. Love the yellow glow of the headlights. Like sitting round a coal fire.

I am going to have to spray something inside the front sidelight lenses to warm them up a bit. Just cant think what.

brian47 · Sep 27, 2016

Bobsticle said:
My god they are awful on a series. Screaming white side lights on the front. I hate them. Love the yellow glow of the headlights. Like sitting round a coal fire. .

No need to go to all that trouble, LEDs come in different colours, or to be more exact, temperatures.
The usual white LED tends to be "Ice white"; a very blue-ish white. If you search T10 LED warm white on the bay you'll come up with quite a number of LEDs with a slightly yellower colour. That should make them a bit more like your old cuddly filament lights.

Jimbob:-) · Sep 28, 2016

Hi every one ive manage to work this led problem out.

I changed the relay to wipac 4pin with adjustment screw that sorted the clicking out and it made the trailer dash light work as it should

As with the brake lights when i wired them in i did it so it was colour coded for some reason that was wrong i swaped the red and green wires around and bingo works a treat.

Thanks for your help

help needed led lights

Jimbob:-)

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brian47

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Jimbob:-)

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Jimbob:-)

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Jimbob:-)

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brian47

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Jimbob:-)

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