Electrics seem mystical to the naive.... and LED globes in Headlights

[geoff_k]

Today I had two issues that sort of make you wonder....

On one car that I call my Mongrel (84 model - chipped and different cam -love that car) I had recently taken both fog lights off the car and reconditioned them. All the chrome on the reflector surface was peeling off due to rust and the rest of the unit in a similar state. After cleaning the rust and repainting the units, I was quite happy with the result. Also replaced the H3 globes with equivalent LED units. Now getting it working I found I had lost the low beam function of my lights. I played around trying to get low beam with no luck. No way in my mind it the stalk switch but...with little other options I started to change it out. After pulling out the stalk and then the light switch on the dash, I decided to try again. The low beam now working so I put it all back together with original parts. Have working lights - go figure..

In the afternoon I went and looked at my 83 911 where the indicators stopped working. This happened about a month ago and I am finally getting around to looking at issue. Still not working. Just nothing. Got out of the car and trying to think of what to do next... On a whim wanted to see if the Hazard lights working. Hooked battery back up and went through right then left indicator - dead. Then tried hazard switch - working. Then tried indicators..working - go figure.

Old cars and the mystery of electrics.
(Just to be clear I am the naive one)

ALSO

I replaced my parking light globe with an LED equivalent and the difference is ...fantastic. Definitely recommend this. I am also trying out LED H4 globes and initial results are putting a huge smile on my face. What an improvement though I have to admit my only testing has been a dark garage. The other advantage is the low power draw on the light circuit. I cannot see how I can burn out the indicator stalk using LED globes all round. I paid approximately five dollars for a H4 COB LED globe.

[Dpmulvan]

Maybe someone else will chime in, but if I remember correctly you need to add resistance when switching to led's on certain applications. Not sure about the 911 but on many motorcycles I built you had to add a resistor to run led's on vintage bikes.

[tirwin]

You need to either add a resistor or change the turn signal relay if you’re using LEDs with those lights.