LED Problems?
1/21/18, 08:10 PM
#1
V6 Member
Thread Starter
LED Problems?
I ended up finally getting my 194 LED’s for the interior dome lights and my license plate light and they look way better then the stock or OEM for only $1 but... the license plate light worked perfectly however the dome lights, they do not adjust with the dimmer and also when the door is shut or even when the car is off and locked, the lights are still on, there dim, but they never turn fully off? Is this because the same amount of power that would turn the stock lights off, still receives a small bit of power that doesn’t have enough to power the stock incandescent bulbs but have just enough to light the LED’s?
1/21/18, 08:17 PM
#2
Legacy TMS Member
If you got 'raw' lights, aka 194 LED bulbs that do not have any resistors to make them 'look equivalent' in resistance to the old incandescent ones, then the circuit may have just enough juice to light them up.
An example of the kind I'm talking about needing here: ( )
This bulb replacement has the resistor in it, so it will 'look' like the old kind, but still give you the LED brightness and some savings on electricity. Not all, because the resistor sucks some of the voltage up, just some.
It's the same issue as why LED bulbs cause 'light burned out' messages in the smarter cars, or why the blinker blinks fast. Without the correct load, LED bulbs cause issues in a car not designed for them.
An example of the kind I'm talking about needing here: ( )
This bulb replacement has the resistor in it, so it will 'look' like the old kind, but still give you the LED brightness and some savings on electricity. Not all, because the resistor sucks some of the voltage up, just some.
It's the same issue as why LED bulbs cause 'light burned out' messages in the smarter cars, or why the blinker blinks fast. Without the correct load, LED bulbs cause issues in a car not designed for them.
1/26/18, 03:26 PM
#3
V6 Member
Thread Starter
thanks for the input, i ended up putting the stock ones back in the domes but work perfectly for the license plate light. I ended up giving the two led's to my friend for his 95' SC400 for his license plate lights since he has two.
1/28/18, 02:34 PM
#4
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
WOW! Another fine example of excellent punctuation and grammar skills 
2/2/18, 08:08 PM
#5
Legacy TMS Member
Not enough to kill the battery, mine will sit in the garage for 2 weeks and still fire right up. Also not even noticeable at night, unless you are looking at them. Meaning does not effect night driving. Mine dim ok. And I really like how much brighter they are.
2/4/18, 02:29 PM
#8
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
2/6/18, 02:59 PM
#9
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
2/7/18, 08:00 PM
#10
Legacy TMS Member
and*
nerd*
---
But seriously, we need to get back to the LEDs and how you need resistor kinds for the dome lights. Everyone ok with that?
Last edited by houtex; 2/7/18 at 08:01 PM.
2/7/18, 08:38 PM
#11
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
2/19/18, 01:29 PM
#14
Tms Mustang Member ------ The Customizer!
OK back on topic.
My LED done lights did the same thing until I put in a resistor in there for both of them.
Now they shut off completely and dim as they should.
If you need help on which kind LMK!
My LED done lights did the same thing until I put in a resistor in there for both of them.
Now they shut off completely and dim as they should.
If you need help on which kind LMK!
2/20/18, 02:13 PM
#15
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
Good to know that adding a resistor was the key to resolving your LED dome light issues. In the meantime, thanks for also providing and recommending LMK as well
2/24/18, 02:14 PM
#16
Since the issue has resolved, I'm just curious... If we've moved on from dome lights, to what have we moved?
Agreed I'm not reading maps in my car but I still feel like I need the lights to read receipts, plug my phone in, etc.?
Agreed I'm not reading maps in my car but I still feel like I need the lights to read receipts, plug my phone in, etc.?
2/24/18, 09:19 PM
#17
Legacy TMS Member
I would be more worried about about the heat those resisters have. Brake light and turn signals ones get hot as all heck. Like I said before mine are super dim after shutting off and cars sat 2 weeks and fired right up I don’t think led on their own are an issue.
Last edited by Stoenr; 2/28/18 at 10:07 PM.
2/28/18, 09:29 PM
#18
Agreed. Mine stay dim for a while and then shut down about 5 minutes after parking the car. During the night while driving I just consider them "ambient lighting" and not worry about them.
