LED Turn Signals not flashing

[s1dc9]

I bought some 1157 white LED bulbs for my turn signals. They do turn on but do not flash when I'm signaling left or right. I also bought the load resistors, but don't solve problem.

I did notice that when I install the bulbs in the opposite direction they do flash fast (that's with out the resistors and the bulb doesn't sit perfectly in the bulb holder).


What am I doing wrong?

[Moron95M3]

the direction that they 'flash fast' in is the correct way to wire the LED then. Remember, an LED isn't the same as a bulb, it's actually a diode and needs to wired the correct way (-/+) where as a typically bulb doesn't care.

As for the fast flashing, I had that too when I tried them. they'll need the resistors to replicate the resistance of a normal bulb.


I ended up returning them - 1157 I don't think is the right bulb type actually either. (1157 has the 'knobs' 180* apart, where as the E36 wants the type with them about 150* apart IIRC).

[ThreeSixM]

I wonder if switchback LEDs would cause the same issue? If you figuire out how to correctly plug in LEDs please post any feedback.

[s1dc9]

One thing I tried after I had installed the bulb in the opposite direction and realized it kinda worked (although it didn't sit perfectly in the socket holder and was flashing fast)... Instead of cutting and rewiring, I disassembled the bulb holder and rotated the pins that sit at the bottom where the bulb touches them. That seemed to get them working only when the turn signal is activated but they don't stay on with the rest of lights.

That's without the resistors but not what I'm looking for. I actually want them running on with my headlights.

[s1dc9]

One other thing, I've been hearing about a relay for LED's that solve the problem with the load and hyper-flashing. Has anyone tried them? Or what else should I be doing? :help

[gc325is]

The Leds are wired wrong for BMWs. The diode analogy is correct, but also remember there are three wires for the running light and turn signal. Two are for power in and one is a common out. (or it could be two out with one common in?) Either case BMW is opposite to your Leds. They do make dual directional Leds. Or you may be able to rewire the Leds? The relay problem is due to it being a current sensing relay. When a bulb burns out the rest blinks faster. You could add a resistor or buy one that is time sense by design.

[blackongrey]

You can buy load less flashers, I just don't know if they'd fit in an e36.

[Moron95M3]

fyi, did some research after wards...this is the best I've found.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=838105

[s1dc9]

I checked out the link but I don't want to spend extra cash on them than what I've already have..... maybe as my last resort.

I do have have the load resistors which didn't seem to solve the problem, unless I hooked it up wrong.


Has anyone successfully used resistors with their LED turn signals and got them working correctly? Pics of the wiring?

What about this LED relay I'm hearing about...., links?

[Eric93se]

So I installed LED brake lights a while back, I don't remember how exactly I did it but its just like gc325is was saying. The pins on the bulb are wrong. I did something like removed the locating pin on the side of the bulb, I don't remember if I soldered something else in the right spot or just left one locating pin on the side, and simply inserted the bulb in the new correct orientation. You obviously want to do some thinking before you file down any of the pins on the sides.

Also one important thing to point out with LED's and the type of light they output, the light is a very narrow bandwidth, a regular bulb spews out all light and more. So when buying a LED you need to match the color to the lens its going to be behind, otherwise light output will be a lot less.

[s1dc9]

The problem I'm trying resolve is for my fronts... not sure if everyone got that. I'm not to concerned about my rears, not yet. But I don't want to risk removing one of the side pins.

[Eric93se]

Well duh, the rear uses 1157 too just like 95% of cars on the road. :D