LED Conversion Ongoing

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Dec 15, 2017 | 09:21 AM

Spudo769

Thread Starter

Pit Crew

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 241

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From: Iowa

LED Conversion Ongoing

Hi

I have done a lot or research to convert mostly interior lights to LED. I purchased a supply of 194 LED bulbs. The trunk lights went fine and look great. The next ones were the bottom of the door interior courtesy lights. I started with the driver's door. Problem was when I plugged in the 194 LED it was very dim. I switched it around since I know of the polarity issue. The other way doesn't work at all. I put it back to the original way, still very dim. I tried a different bulb, same results. I tried to put back in the original bulb, no light at all.

Then I put the LED back in, and same results, dim light if you have it the correct polarity. I tried pushing the door's switch to see what would happen. When I push the switch, the light got brighter!! This doesn't make sense, why would it get brighter when the door is shut and dim when it opens? I tried the original bulb, nothing with the switch pushed in or not.

All worked fine until I started messing with it, right now no light at all because I put the original back it as I didn't want the LED burning bright while the door is shut.

ANY advice?

Dec 15, 2017 | 10:27 AM

tofuprod

Racer

Joined: May 2016

Posts: 1,266

Likes: 379

From: Illinois

What year is your LS?

I did a full led conversion on my ‘13 minus the vanity lights (prefer that as natural) using led circuit boards, not the cheap festoon bulbs. Results are quite literally night and day. May be too bright for some, but I love it.

Dec 15, 2017 | 10:44 AM

Spudo769

Thread Starter

Pit Crew

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 241

Likes: 52

From: Iowa

2007. I don't think I can fit the panel type in these postions

Dec 15, 2017 | 04:20 PM

roadfrog

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 5,371

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From: BC Canada

First thing to do is use an ohm meter on the contacts to ensure a good 12v supply. Then go from there.

Dec 16, 2017 | 11:15 AM

Spudo769

Thread Starter

Pit Crew

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 241

Likes: 52

From: Iowa

All the other ones went in fine. I checked with a multimeter but not real sure of what I am looking for. Still doing the same thing, no light at all from incandescent, but led will glow faintly with door open, gets brighter when door closed button is pushed.

Dec 16, 2017 | 05:04 PM

roadfrog

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 5,371

Likes: 526

From: BC Canada

Then a defective door jamb switch? Clearly not enough voltage. With the door open, you should get well over 12 volts at the bulb housing.

Dec 17, 2017 | 08:14 AM

Spudo769

Thread Starter

Pit Crew

Joined: Jun 2013

Posts: 241

Likes: 52

From: Iowa

The door switch works fine for the other lights. I am doing to swap fixtures and see what hsppens

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Dec 17, 2017 | 02:59 PM

hfahmy

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 757

Likes: 61

From: GA

I have seen threads about this issue before, there is a door lights controller that go bad when bulb terminals are shorted. I don’t recall the name of the controller but a search will find it.