Front Turn Signals are dim with Headlight switch on

[ritztoys]

Hello All,
Let me start from the beginning....This car has all original wiring intact, no additions or changes. I do have Toby's LMS mod installed, correctly too.
First I installed all LEDs to exterior lighting along with the proper flasher unit, second I installed "Angel Eyes" headlights and everything lights up correctly.
Now this is where things get weird, when I turn on the Headlight switch either in 'Park lights' or 'Head lights' position the front turn signals light very dimly and don't flash properly.
Also I noticed when the Headlights were switched only on 'Low Beam', the 'High Beam' lights were getting some power from somewhere (bulbs were very dim) ?
Turning on the 'High Beams' position, they appear to light properly. Turn signals are still dim.
If I don't use the Head light switch at all, front signals flash properly. Rear turn signals work correctly no matter if using head light switch or not.
Is this a failing Headlight switch? Is this where maybe the "stray voltage" could be lighting my High Beams in the Low Beam position of said switch and causing my turn signal trouble too? :banghead:
I'm stumped any help is appreciated.

[Christian Dietrich]

I just sent you a p.m. explaining why I haven't got back with you but first of all I would check like I stated in the p.m. with the connections of your headlights and your parking light 3 pin connector. Behind your headlight buckets is also a ground wire that bolts to the panel there that mounts all your headlights. Also the three pin connector that runs your front lights in your bumper can have very corroded and crusty connections and will need to be cleaned up or replaced. I actually replaced everything and installed a brand new 3 pin connector that is weatherproof that I got from Amazon with their weather pack connectors that they sell which seal any condensation and moisture out. Also check inside your sockets to see how well they look because those sockets can get pretty crusty in there as well and might have to be cleaned up or replaced. Mine were pretty corroded as well so I actually clean mine up with a wire brush hook to my Dremel and added a little bit of Dielectric grease to the socket. Since your car is all original and never really been tampered with I would start messing around with some of your electrical connectors to check for corrosion and stuff like that. There is a possibility you could be having a bad headlight switch as well and DMC sells a new updated version that works really nicely.
Hello All,
Let me start from the beginning....This car has all original wiring intact, no additions or changes. I do have Toby's LMS mod installed, correctly too.
First I installed all LEDs to exterior lighting along with the proper flasher unit, second I installed "Angel Eyes" headlights and everything lights up correctly.
Now this is where things get weird, when I turn on the Headlight switch either in 'Park lights' or 'Head lights' position the front turn signals light very dimly and don't flash properly.
Also I noticed when the Headlights were switched only on 'Low Beam', the 'High Beam' lights were getting some power from somewhere (bulbs were very dim) ?
Turning on the 'High Beams' position, they appear to light properly. Turn signals are still dim.
If I don't use the Head light switch at all, front signals flash properly. Rear turn signals work correctly no matter if using head light switch or not.
Is this a failing Headlight switch? Is this where maybe the "stray voltage" could be lighting my High Beams in the Low Beam position of said switch and causing my turn signal trouble too? :banghead:
I'm stumped any help is appreciated.

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[ritztoys]

Thanks Cristian, I'll be removing the front panel and checking all connections, could this also cause my headlight to also be very dim when switch is in the Low Beam position?

[Christian Dietrich]

Did the headlights work normally before? Since you are using the halo lights now did you change the light bulbs and if you did what did you use?
Thanks Cristian, I'll be removing the front panel and checking all connections, could this also cause my headlight to also be very dim when switch is in the Low Beam position?

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[DMC5180]

This sounds more like a stock sealed beam to H4 conversion issue. If you’re old headlights were stock and the new halo housings use H4 bulbs, you will need to de-pin and move the black ground wire to the opposite side of the connector housing on the outer HI/LO assemblies. I think someone posted an illustration diagram in the resource section. Just look for H4 conversation.


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[DMC5180]

Also if your inner high beams use H4 bulbs, you will need to flip the connector so that it matches the wire color position of the outer connector. (The middle terminal of the bulb is not used)


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[Christian Dietrich]

Also if your inner high beams use H4 bulbs, you will need to flip the connector so that it matches the wire color position of the outer connector. (The middle terminal of the bulb is not used)


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkI totally forgot about the h4s because I helped out a friend of mine who did that and when I did my Halos I went with LEDs for my low beam and high beams and I still had to do the same thing as well and it totally slipped my mind but that's a good thing that you said that

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[DMC5180]

I totally forgot about the h4s because I helped out a friend of mine who did that and when I did my Halos I went with LEDs for my low beam and high beams and I still had to do the same thing as well and it totally slipped my mind but that's a good thing that you said that

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I helped a friend many years back with his conversion. His kit came with short harness extensions that did the wire repositioning. He didn’t think he needed them until he switched the headlights on and couldn’t figure out why the lights were dim and doing wonky things. Rather than use those extension harnesses I just moved the wires in the factory connector.


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[Christian Dietrich]

Yeah that's exactly what I did and I was wondering why my LEDs were acting a little goofy and it took me a minute to figure it out what a test light but my original headlight connectors were corroded and look gross so I went ahead and bought all new connectors and hard-wired am in but made sure they were correct so I didn't have to flip any pins
I helped a friend many years back with his conversion. His kit came with short harness extensions that did the wire repositioning. He didn’t think he needed them until he switched the headlights on and couldn’t figure out why the lights were dim and doing wonky things. Rather than use those extension harnesses I just moved the wires in the factory connector.


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[ritztoys]

Also if your inner high beams use H4 bulbs, you will need to flip the connector so that it matches the wire color position of the outer connector. (The middle terminal of the bulb is not used)


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Thanks for this suggestion, I'll flip those connections, as I didn't do the High Beam lights when I installed the whole set. Hopefully this will solve my "dim bulb" problem in the high beam lights too.

In my further testing yesterday, I found the 1157 LEDs don't work very well at flashing. I replaced them with the 1157 incandescent bulb, and flashing is normal.

[DMC5180]

Thanks for this suggestion, I'll flip those connections, as I didn't do the High Beam lights when I installed the whole set. Hopefully this will solve my "dim bulb" problem in the high beam lights too.

In my further testing yesterday, I found the 1157 LEDs don't work very well at flashing. I replaced them with the 1157 incandescent bulb, and flashing is normal.

Not sure what you mean by don’t flash very well. Fix the headlight issue first then test the signals again.

My LED signals flash at a normal rate. It’s just that they go ON/OFF instantly.
They ramp up/down like a a traditional filament bulb.

Are your Halo housings full LED or H4’s

What do you have in the Inner High beam locations?


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[ritztoys]

Not sure what you mean by don’t flash very well. Fix the headlight issue first then test the signals again.

My LED signals flash at a normal rate. It’s just that they go ON/OFF instantly.
They ramp up/down like a a traditional filament bulb.

Are your Halo housings full LED or H4’s

What do you have in the Inner High beam locations?


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Photo of headlight issue
56640

Changing/reversing the connector didn't solve the "stray voltage" issue as seen in photo.

All the bulbs are H4

LEDs when installed (without headlight switch on) work as they should. When the headlight switch is on then the LEDs are dim and don't flash correctly as you describe.

[ritztoys]

Okay guys, I pulled the #15 fuse (power to high beams via relay) and the problem persists. So now the 'stray voltage' is somewhere in the low beam circuit, maybe the turn-signal lever, aka. Dip Switch is faulty and 'leaking voltage' to the low beam circuit ? :headscratch:

[Bitsyncmaster]

Do you have any alarm system? Keep pulling all the fuses until you see the light go away.

[ritztoys]

No alarm system, total electrical is stock, no alterations. If I pull #14 fuse it will go away ( dim high beam filament glowing ), but also no low beam headlights either.

[ritztoys]

Okay guys, I pulled the #15 fuse (power to high beams via relay) and the problem persists. So now the 'stray voltage' is somewhere in the low beam circuit, maybe the turn-signal lever, aka. Dip Switch is faulty and 'leaking voltage' to the low beam circuit ? :headscratch:

In my recent post ( #13 ), it is kinda confusing. I meant to say the leaking voltage is going through the low beam circuit to the high beam circuit , causing the 'glowing of the filament' in the high beam bulb.

[DMC5180]

In my recent post ( #13 ), it is kinda confusing. I meant to say the leaking voltage is going through the low beam circuit to the high beam circuit , causing the 'glowing of the filament' in the high beam bulb.

Sorry, my memory failed me. I told you to swap the outer positions. It should be like this illustration for the outer housings. The ground and LOW positions get swapped. Also configure the Inner housing connector with the Ground and HIGH feed to match.

[DMC5180]

Edited to show Delorean wire colors.56646

[ritztoys]

Thank-you Dennis,

This is what I was thinking, that maybe I moved the wrong wires and the incorrect positions have contributed to the 'stray voltage' powering the High Beam filament.

So I'm hoping this solves my issue, as I only did simple changes/additions to my cars electrical system. After my morning coffee, I'll take out the outer headlights and check ( PITA )

The high beam sockets/connector only have two wires, so swapping them won't do anything. I think you have my answer in the above diagram.

[ritztoys]

Dennis you where spot on with the wiring diagram you offered, I had the 'High Beam' and the 'Ground' connections reversed! :yesss:

If you ever get the chance and find yourself in Indianapolis, stop by I owe you a few beers at least, Hooray for simple fixes! :thumbup2:

[DMC5180]

Dennis you where spot on with the wiring diagram you offered, I had the 'High Beam' and the 'Ground' connections reversed! :yesss:

If you ever get the chance and find yourself in Indianapolis, stop by I owe you a few beers at least, Hooray for simple fixes! :thumbup2:

Just venture up too DCS2018 an I’ll take you up on that [emoji482]

Did this also fix your turn signal issue?


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[ritztoys]

Did this also fix your turn signal issue?


No, it seems the LEDs aren't made very well. I'll just use regular bulbs until the vendor supplies upgraded 1157s in LED.

[DMC5180]

Did this also fix your turn signal issue?


No, it seems the LEDs aren't made very well. I'll just use regular bulbs until the vendor supplies upgraded 1157s in LED.

The only issue I had was with the flasher unit. I originally choose a heavy duty electronic flasher, that one didn’t work very well. Then I chose a standard electronic flasher “for LED use “ and that made the flash time More Normal.

What it the condition of your the Sockets? Are they relatively clean or was their a fair amount of rust/corrosion?



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[ritztoys]

Originally I purchased an LED set/kit that supplied all exterior bulbs, along with the proper LED flasher unit. My rear LEDs flash correctly ( intensity of brightness then to being off ), but the front ones just don't flash as bright as the rear ones do. Heck you can barely see them flash in 'parking-light mode', the reason for incandescent bulbs for now.

The sockets were quite clear of any corrosion, just a little 'dust/stuff' inside when changing bulbs.

[DMC5180]

Hmm,

Post a couple pictures of the those Front LED units (bare) 3 view. Top bottom and side.


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[ritztoys]

Here ya go Dennis..........

56812

The vendor says that this bulb acts the way I described in post #24. He also said they would send a new bulb(s) and LED flasher, maybe this is a better flasher?

You all know what I mean, maybe another description would be better. (My brain envisioned an old guy in a trench coat standing in front of my car opening and closing his coat.) :hysterical:

[DMC5180]

Hmm,

Can you rig up a couple test wires off a 12v battery and do illumination comparison tests of the 2 individual circuit contacts to base ground.

You were saying you could barely tell if they were flashing because they were so dim. I almost wonder if somehow the units were in stalled 180 out of position. The two tiered side pimples should prevent installing them that way, but I’ve noticed the pimples on the Chinese base are rounded over and quite easy to slip out of the slot notches

I seem to recall mine being quite distinctive. However, mine are from SuperbrightLEDs. They were fairly expensive at the time, but this was before the flood of super cheap Chinese units were all over eBay too.

I was an early adopter so I paid the price for being an early adopter. Most new technology items get cheaper as time goes on.


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[ritztoys]

My D vendor came through, they supplied two new style LED 'bulbs' and a flasher. What a difference, signal flash of turn bulb is excellent even with the parking lights on!

I would like to thank Arran of https://www.deloreango.com/uk. These folks stand behind their products and basically 'bend over backwards' to help any customers' problem, always solving my issues.

One of many D businesses I trust that give you good bang for your buck. Give your business to these guys, you won't be disappointed.