Problems with aftermarket LED tail-lamps

PhrozenWire · 1st November 2022, 20:32

Hello Experts

I have a Hyundai Venue in which i have upgraded the tail lights to Custom LED set. Of late they are acting wierd and that too only on the right side. Here is the scenario
1. When only on battery power both the lights light up perfectly fine and are stable
2. When I turn on the ignition, the right side light parking bulb starts running in the initial sequence and keeps on doing that.

Here is link for the scenario when car is on engine power

Right Side

https://youtu.be/4Aape2h5haI

https://youtu.be/4Aape2h5haI

Left Side

https://youtu.be/jEH2rcXqMvo

https://youtu.be/jEH2rcXqMvo

TN20CQ5187 · 3rd November 2022, 07:51

Hi, this looks like a led issue. You can probably go back and check with where you have installed these from.

greenhorn · 3rd November 2022, 09:16

While LED's are very reliable compared to incandescent bulbs if given the proper voltage/current, the practical truth is that the electronics that do that are extremely spotty because of cost or design issues.

If you go through YouTube teardowns of LED bulbs, you'll find most Chinese units have one of more of issues like the use of failure prone Chinese brand capacitors probably using capacitor plague era formulas, insufficiently rated heatsinks and resistors. Insufficient voltage regulators which do not protect the LED from voltage variations and sometimes currents higher than recommended to achieve higher brightness.

This is a risk you'll face with even known and established brands. You should read about the plight of some Cadillac owners who can't use their cars because their taillights died prematurely and replacements cost as much $2-3k, and tail light is considered essential safety equipment and you can't operate a car without it. It's bound to be much worse for generic stuff.

IshaanIan · 3rd November 2022, 10:50

Where did you buy the lights? If online perhaps email the seller if you got them fitted in a store then go back and ask the installer. This is why it is best to stick to people like Lumiere concepts for such stuff where you might spend quite a bit but atleast you will get service support for these kind of things.

PhrozenWire · 3rd November 2022, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by TN20CQ5187

Hi, this looks like a led issue. You can probably go back and check with where you have installed these from.

I purchased it online and got it installed from a known accessories store. What surprises me is that on battery they light up just fine and have no issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IshaanIan

Where did you buy the lights? If online perhaps email the seller if you got them fitted in a store then go back and ask the installer. This is why it is best to stick to people like Lumiere concepts for such stuff where you might spend quite a bit but atleast you will get service support for these kind of things.

He has no clue and asked me to check the metal case resistor which is attached. Though the resistor is not for these lights but for the indicator lights to run in a matrix style sequence.

ajayc123 · 3rd November 2022, 18:48

It could be an issue with the controlling software / hardware and not the light as such. If you have the option and feasibility, try swapping the two lights to check if the behaviour persists. If so, issue with controller, else issue with led. Alternately try putting another led on the affected side, to see if the behaviour changes or stays the same.

ArijitGupte · 5th November 2022, 12:48

If possible check voltage at the tail lights connector on battery and with engine running. With engine running the voltage might be slightly more than 12v and this is affecting the led controller.

PhrozenWire · 9th November 2022, 20:21

So I tried the different methods as listed by all namely,
1. Swapping the lights LH to RH and vice versa, same issue
2. Checking voltage, stable at around 12.2-12.4 V
3. Checked wiring, no issues
4. Put stock lights and they work normal

Settled for stock for now till I further check the LED

3rd November 2022, 07:51	#2
TN20CQ5187 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Chennai Posts: 42 Thanked: 57 Times	Re: Problems with aftermarket LED tail-lamps Hi, this looks like a led issue. You can probably go back and check with where you have installed these from.
	(3) Thanks

3rd November 2022, 09:16	#3
greenhorn BANNED Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,878 Thanked: 4,909 Times View My Garage	Re: Problems with aftermarket LED tail-lamps While LED's are very reliable compared to incandescent bulbs if given the proper voltage/current, the practical truth is that the electronics that do that are extremely spotty because of cost or design issues. If you go through YouTube teardowns of LED bulbs, you'll find most Chinese units have one of more of issues like the use of failure prone Chinese brand capacitors probably using capacitor plague era formulas, insufficiently rated heatsinks and resistors. Insufficient voltage regulators which do not protect the LED from voltage variations and sometimes currents higher than recommended to achieve higher brightness. This is a risk you'll face with even known and established brands. You should read about the plight of some Cadillac owners who can't use their cars because their taillights died prematurely and replacements cost as much $2-3k, and tail light is considered essential safety equipment and you can't operate a car without it. It's bound to be much worse for generic stuff. Last edited by greenhorn : 3rd November 2022 at 09:19.
	(4) Thanks

3rd November 2022, 10:50	#4
IshaanIan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Hyd Posts: 3,746 Thanked: 7,709 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (7)	Re: Problems with aftermarket LED tail-lamps Where did you buy the lights? If online perhaps email the seller if you got them fitted in a store then go back and ask the installer. This is why it is best to stick to people like Lumiere concepts for such stuff where you might spend quite a bit but atleast you will get service support for these kind of things.
	() Thanks

3rd November 2022, 18:48	#6
ajayc123 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Delhi Posts: 917 Thanked: 2,377 Times	Re: Problems with aftermarket LED tail-lamps It could be an issue with the controlling software / hardware and not the light as such. If you have the option and feasibility, try swapping the two lights to check if the behaviour persists. If so, issue with controller, else issue with led. Alternately try putting another led on the affected side, to see if the behaviour changes or stays the same. Last edited by ajayc123 : 3rd November 2022 at 18:50.
	(4) Thanks

5th November 2022, 12:48	#7
ArijitGupte BHPian Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Pune Posts: 68 Thanked: 69 Times	Re: Problems with aftermarket LED tail-lamps If possible check voltage at the tail lights connector on battery and with engine running. With engine running the voltage might be slightly more than 12v and this is affecting the led controller. Last edited by ArijitGupte : 5th November 2022 at 12:49. Reason: Grammar
	(1) Thanks

9th November 2022, 20:21	#8
PhrozenWire Newbie Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Pune Posts: 6 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Problems with aftermarket LED tail-lamps So I tried the different methods as listed by all namely, 1. Swapping the lights LH to RH and vice versa, same issue 2. Checking voltage, stable at around 12.2-12.4 V 3. Checked wiring, no issues 4. Put stock lights and they work normal Settled for stock for now till I further check the LED
	() Thanks