weird LED auxiliary taillight activity

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by carringb

Might be the multi-function switch. Could be dirt limiting current, and your incandescents are pulling all the current.

FWIW most trailers I pull are LED and I have not had that problem, except I noticed the hazards on the rear of the van don't really flash when I have the trailer plugged in (weird, huh?). But... it'll barely flash incandescents on a trailer (4-ways..... works fine with turns and brakes). I think the hazard circuit maybe just has less current capacity than the other functions.

I suspect if you unplugged your regular taillights, the new bumper lights would flash normally.

Don't think it's dirt, it's all new wiring with high quality crimp connectors that I also solder.

I suspect you're right about some current issue with the same circuit trying to run incandescent and LED with a flasher relay thrown in. I may give up and try incandescent aux lights, I can get a set for about $15. It may well be easier than trying to rewire everything, or switching stock lights to LED, but then having to swap relays or something else.

Argh.

[ANZAC]

Shouldn't matter, I run LED trailer lights and they work fine. Your issue is specifically with the hazard mode and I recall there is something weird about how that works on the E350 trailer wiring.

[hogasm]

Ground the bumper/trailer lights through the trailer harness and not through the bumper

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by hogasm

Ground the bumper/trailer lights through the trailer harness and not through the bumper

Yup, that's the way I wired it.

[carringb]

Originally Posted by rallypanam

Don't think it's dirt, it's all new wiring with high quality crimp connectors that I also solder.

I meant dirt in the multi-function switch. I've noticed gunk kinda like to buildup at the base of the hazard button in particular.

[rallypanam]

My brain hurts. Works perfect with incandescent 1157 fixtures. But I spent good money on these damn LEDs and they look prettier! Must make work!

[rallypanam]

Also tried ANZAC's method of tapping straight to the stock light housing.. no change in symptoms.

[daveb]

Move on to Leavitt!

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by daveb

Move on to Leavitt!

Perfect. Camping, campfire, beers, and 6 guys looking over rallypanam's shoulder offering all sorts of advice while he tries to fix it.


Herb

[rallypanam]

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Perfect. Camping, campfire, beers, and 6 guys looking over rallypanam's shoulder offering all sorts of advice while he tries to fix it.


Herb

"I wouldn't do it like that!"

....is one of my favorite lines.