2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Installed LED tail light, blinker now at warp speed..Help!

[MAX A/C]

I have a utility body using the common 4" round lights (stop, tail, and turn in same lamp), so I picked up an LED version at the local truck stop. It was a "plug and play" deal as far as the hook up.



Works except now the turn signal blinks superfast, 3-4 times per second. Any ideas on how to remedy this?

Thanks in advance.

Scott

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I read about a fix for this somewhere. Someone makes a flasher that works with the LED lamps. Search on google.

 

[jtwcummins]

Get electronic flasher, they don't depend on current flow to work right

 

[R-N-R]

I would leave it, most drivers are conditioned (head embedded) for the slow blink :-laf

 

[C. Harlan]

What is is, is a lack of amperage draw, due to the fact that LED's draw a minute fraction of amperage, compared to incandescent lights. This in turn makes the flasher think that a light bulb is burned out, thus making the flasher blink at warp speed. To correct this, you can buy a load equalizer, basically a resistor to put in line that simulates the load of an incandescent light, thus making the flasher blink to what we consider as normal. I hope this makes sense, and you can try a website called www.autolumination.com and they should have what you need for the conversion. Good luck!





-Chris-

 

[ben_ak]

That seems a bit complicated. As jtw suggested, get the correct flasher, problem solved... did your lites slow blink when your trailer was hooked up? I didn't think a one ton truck would ever be sold without a heavy duty, electronic flasher from the factory.

 

[C. Harlan]

they are a heavy duty flasher. . Problem is, on a heavy duty flasher, they are made for more than 2 lights to blink. . When there is not that kind of a load, it makes it blink rapidly.



How does it sound complicated? I would be glad to further explain for you, if need be. Just let me know.



-Chris-

 

[MAX A/C]

did your lites slow blink when your trailer was hooked up? I didn't think a one ton truck would ever be sold without a heavy duty, electronic flasher from the factory.

They worked at normal speed w/trailer, but did not have LED's at that time. Chris' explanation makes sense, there is too little draw on the system now. (I never would have thought too little draw would cause a problem!)



Thanks for the replies. Chris, I'll get one of those resistor deals.

 

[wcjp]

Had the same problem with my Jeep when converting to LED. Many add the resistor to simulate the load of standard bulbs. On the Jeep I was able to swap the left/right flasher for the Emergency flasher. Not sure if this will work on the Dodge.

 

[SOOT]

Simply get a flasher that does not have the "light out" indicator. I tried the electronic flasher with no change.

 

[Graphic man]

it should have a LED bulb?

i had the same problem in my motorcycle

it had a 5watt LED bulb so i changed to a 10 watt LED bulb and it fixed the problem.

not sure if it will fix you problem but it may be worth checking into.

 

[WestTN]

All you need is the standard towing package flasher. They are usually called heavy duty or towing service or constant load flashers. Any parts store should have them. Since my truck was ordered with the towing package it came standard.

 

[SHobbs]

I recently replaced the fender and tailgate lights with L. E. D's. After that I did all 12 that are on my running boards, 6 on each side. I also changed the cab lights out to L. E. D bulbs. All I can say is, wow. These suckers are bright, I have light up to 20ft away on each side. All I need now are ones to replace the OEM bulbs for running lights, turn signals and brakes.

 

[Thomas]

All you need is the standard towing package flasher. They are usually called heavy duty or towing service or constant load flashers. Any parts store should have them. Since my truck was ordered with the towing package it came standard.

You made the same claim in this thread. It's simply not true.



Chris' (C. Harlan) explanation in his first post in this thread is correct. There is but one flasher (P/N 56007348) used in later second generation Rams, tow-package equipped or not. It is a heavy-duty flasher. It is electronic.



Early second generation trucks had two flasher units, one for the turn signals and one for the emergency flashers. Late second generation Rams have a single flasher unit. The factory service manual in talking about the operation of these single-flasher-equipped trucks, including your 2001 Ram as well as thread-starter Scott's, describes the rapid flash rate experienced when the flasher "senses" a non-operating bulb. The FSM also states that the integrated circuitry in the flasher attempts to compensate for any additional electrical load, such as when towing, to keep the flash rate relatively constant. I have experienced the same rapid flash, alerting me to a blown brake light filament on my OEM tow packaged equipped 2000 Ram.



The post by Shelby Griggs in this thread may offer a clue to a replacement flasher that may be available in the future to deal with how the low current draw of LED's is handled by Mopar electronic flashers in late second generation trucks.

 

[mechanic]

You could add two more turn signal lights to the rear of the truck with normal type bulbs or make a turn signal light bar to go into the receiver when you are not towing. If you use a light with an arrow on it, it would get even more attention. Otherwise, the resistor is the quickest way.

 

[MAX A/C]

Tridon EP27 works!

Thanks to information shared by members Thomas and Shelby Griggs, I was led to the easiest solution, and it works!! Oo.



I bought a Tridon-Stant (made by Trico Products) Electronic flasher #EP27 at AutoZone for $12. 99. It is a direct replacement for the factory flasher.



Interestingly, now the turn signals will work with the key in the ACC position, and they work for 1 to 2 minutes after the ignition is turned off and the key removed. (This is not a problem, just an added feature... )



Scott

 

[Thomas]

It's good to know that there is now an alternative to the thirty-plus dollars that Mopar demands for the OEM flasher.

 

[SDancy]

Thanks to information shared by members Thomas and Shelby Griggs, I was led to the easiest solution, and it works!! Oo.



I bought a Tridon-Stant (made by Trico Products) Electronic flasher #EP27 at AutoZone for $12. 99. It is a direct replacement for the factory flasher.



Interestingly, now the turn signals will work with the key in the ACC position, and they work for 1 to 2 minutes after the ignition is turned off and the key removed. (This is not a problem, just an added feature... )



Scott

I bought the #EP27 flasher at AutoZone and it worked for me. After 1 year of trying to get my flashers to blink right, now I am happy with them. Oo.

 

[SHobbs]

I have been looking at LED's to put in place of the stockers, which ones are ya'll using and where did you get them. I have looked everywhere and have found ones that have 18 lights and 6 facing to the side, do they work or not.