LED signal issue

Discussion in 'Sparky's corner' started by '72 Skylark Custom 4bbl, May 13, 2020.

  1. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Do you know there are two flashers, one for the turn signals and one for the hazards? You need to convert them both if you want both to work. The turn signal flasher is off to the side by the parking brake. Other wise, what Michael said.
     
  2. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Just converted my 71 GS 350 to external LED taillights and turn signals. Good grounds resolves a lot of issues.
     
  3. breakinbuick11

    breakinbuick11 Platinum Level Contributor

    You guys nailed it- swapped the grounded flasher with the non grounded one and now I have turn signals. I’m using my non ground novitas LED flasher for the hazards. It still works, just not as fast blinking as it was with the grounded one. I’m going to use it for the time being and order a new one. Thanks everyone!
     
  4. Buick Six-Four

    Buick Six-Four Well-Known Member


    The rear sockets were already swapped out and look brand new. What is the best way to ground the sockets?
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2020
  5. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    If they are two-wire sockets, the socket base will bond with the tail light housing, and the housing bonds to the body. Make sure the metal contact points, fasteners are clean and have metal to metal contact.

    Do not use dielectric grease, as it is an insulator, as well as create a corrosive environment from heat/arcing and being in enclosed areas (like weatherproof connectors and bulb sockets).

    Also make sure the bumper is bonded. Remove a bumper bolt, clean threads back of the bolt head, and the nut with wire brush/wheel, clean the frame where the nut makes contact and reinstall, then do the second one, etc. That way the bumper will not move out of alignment.

    Check all splices. I have seen some really bad work done, hidden with electrical tape or behind blind areas.

    You can solder a wire to the socket base and then put a ring terminal on it and fasten using body or trim mounting point.

    For the cost of the sockets, I would change them. My reasoning is that the rear lighting is a "weak spot" with regard to safety on the "two bulb" brake/signal/tail light and people are accustomed to looking at a wall of red super bright LED lights. Depth perception and reaction time coming up on an older car with dim or lights that are not working correctly are too much to take a risk on. (Not to mention, Karen taking duck lip selfies while slurping her Venti 1 pump caramel, 1 pump white mocha, 2 scoops vanilla bean powder, extra ice frappuccino with 2 shots poured over the top with caramel drizzle under and on top of the whipped cream, double cupped....)

    Hope that helps. :)
     
  6. Buick Six-Four

    Buick Six-Four Well-Known Member

    Are the light sockets metal or plastic? The ones on mines are plastic and appear new. Thanks for the information.
     
  7. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

  8. Buick Six-Four

    Buick Six-Four Well-Known Member

    Thanks again
     
  9. Buick Six-Four

    Buick Six-Four Well-Known Member

  10. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    The wiring is the same with power wire to each contact and the ground wire to a chassis fastener. (you can use a "self-tapping" screw and serrated washer).


    Red and green wire for passenger taillight and red and yellow wire for the driver taillight, and each has the ground wire.

    If you look at your current sockets, there should be two wires, the wire grounded socket has the same two wires as well as a third wire connected to a spade terminal that is part of the socket, that goes to the chassis to ground. The other two connect the same as the OEM socket.
     
  11. Buick Six-Four

    Buick Six-Four Well-Known Member

    Got it. Did you change out your front turn signals as well? If so, what socket did you use? Thank you.
     
  12. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    No. The front sockets and housing are machine pressed together, have very good bonding, bolt to the core support and that achieves a good ground, so it was not necessary.

    The rear sockets, having a plastic base, only making ground with the spring tabs to pot metal tail light housings which are not well bonded, a ground wire provides a better ground. I just cleaned the inside of the socket walls and contacts, using contact cleaner and small wire bore brushes. :)
     
  13. Buick Six-Four

    Buick Six-Four Well-Known Member

    Thanks again. Good info. I disassembled the tail light hosings and cleaned off 55 years of rust and grime. Installed LED’s.
     

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