83 SC LED signal problem

[DustyB]

Hello! I’ve been stalking and getting incredible info from the forum both pre-purchase and post-purchase of my 83 SC coupe (bought in June of 18).

I have a few issues, but one I’m wrestling with now is the front turn signals after an LED upgrade from CarMagic.

All bulbs are replaced, the relay and the indicators in the tach. All are working properly, except the front signals when the lights are on.

When the lights are off, all good. When on, the blink very weakly - the light actually stays on the very faintly brightens.

Also, the front side markers don’t work- however, I can’t be sure they ever did?

Finally, maybe unrelated, the interior lights now don’t work...

Any help is appreciated!

[spoke]

Are you saying the LEDs are bright on running lights then only get a little brighter on turnsignals?

When lights are off, are the turnsignals as bright as when the lights are on?

The turnsignals should be independent of the interior lights. Sounds like another issue.

[Sebscst]

Have you changed the flasher relay. You’ll need an ep 26 I believe.

[DustyB]

Spoke- yes the LEDs are bright on running lights, then only get a little brighter on signal. With lights off, the signals are as bright as with lights are on- they work correctly.

Sebscst- the flasher relay has been replaced,

Th aks guys!

[SKL1]

Wonder if LED's are worth the trouble sometimes. I put them on both my 914's and they work fine. Put them on my '72 911 I'm finishing the restoration on and have a weird issue I can't resolve. Have replaced the flasher relay and the blinkers, emergency flashers all work fine, but the relay is constantly clicking anytime the ignition is on, whether any lights are on or not. Turn the key on, the relay starts clicking... luckily the car is noisy enough you really can't hear it when driving, but it still drives me nuts!!

[DustyB]

Originally Posted by SKL1

Wonder if LED's are worth the trouble sometimes. I put them on both my 914's and they work fine. Put them on my '72 911 I'm finishing the restoration on and have a weird issue I can't resolve. Have replaced the flasher relay and the blinkers, emergency flashers all work fine, but the relay is constantly clicking anytime the ignition is on, whether any lights are on or not. Turn the key on, the relay starts clicking... luckily the car is noisy enough you really can't hear it when driving, but it still drives me nuts!!

I’ve definitely been thinking about going back to standard bulbs. I do like the brightness, and the look...

[spoke]

Originally Posted by SKL1

Wonder if LED's are worth the trouble sometimes. I put them on both my 914's and they work fine. Put them on my '72 911 I'm finishing the restoration on and have a weird issue I can't resolve. Have replaced the flasher relay and the blinkers, emergency flashers all work fine, but the relay is constantly clicking anytime the ignition is on, whether any lights are on or not. Turn the key on, the relay starts clicking... luckily the car is noisy enough you really can't hear it when driving, but it still drives me nuts!!

Stu, I've been thinking about this issue and mainly the EP26 has a very low threshold to turn on, like 7ma. The turnsignal LEDs that you have burn about 5W or about 350ma. The threshold in the EP26 likely is set by a resistor. If that resistor is lowered in value, it would raise the trigger level and in your case, might not cause the ghost clicking. I'll be taking one of the EP26's apart to see if I can figure out where that resistor is and change it. If I can figure it out, I'll send you a modified flasher relay.

[spoke]

Originally Posted by DustyB

Spoke- yes the LEDs are bright on running lights, then only get a little brighter on signal. With lights off, the signals are as bright as with lights are on- they work correctly.

Sebscst- the flasher relay has been replaced,

Th aks guys!

I've heard that complaint about not much difference between running light and turnsignal (or brake) light intensity with some of the off-the-shelf LED replacements.

With my turnsignal LEDs I've taken a different approach and made very large boards to fit in the entirety of the turnsignal cavities. This gives enough room on the PCB to mount resistors to make sure the running light intensity is much less bright than the turnsignals.

[DustyB]

Originally Posted by spoke

I've heard that complaint about not much difference between running light and turnsignal (or brake) light intensity with some of the off-the-shelf LED replacements.

With my turnsignal LEDs I've taken a different approach and made very large boards to fit in the entirety of the turnsignal cavities. This gives enough room on the PCB to mount resistors to make sure the running light intensity is much less bright than the turnsignals.

The brake light difference (lights on/brakes on) is good. I’m going to try the front signal bulbs in the brake to see if it’s the LED or something else.

Is the front signal, with lights on, supposed to full off / on when the indicator is activated (or go from on to brighter on)?

[spoke]

Originally Posted by DustyB

The brake light difference (lights on/brakes on) is good. I’m going to try the front signal bulbs in the brake to see if it’s the LED or something else.

Is the front signal, with lights on, supposed to full off / on when the indicator is activated (or go from on to brighter on)?

The front turnsignals should be like the running/brakes and have a significant difference in intensity. I assume the brake LEDs are red and the front turnsignals are amber?

As a test try swapping the brake and front turnsignal LEDs to see if either looks correct (dim/bright) in the other socket.