Got all my M35A2 LED lights working....for a little bit. Anyone worked on LED's with success?

[JSBIRD69]

I bought 4 LED lamps for my M35A2 Deuce about 10 years ago, mounted them about 6-7 years ago, but didn't get to enjoy them at the time, because of a bad turn signal switch, then a failed flasher unit.

Some kind soul on SS posted plans for a build your own electronic flasher, which I did successfully. Cheap too! Oh, I was in hog heaven for a while, having 100% of my lights working, until this winter.

One cold day not long ago, I noticed the bulb on the turn signal switch was brighter in one direction, than it was in the other. When I checked the outside lamps, I noticed that the right rear lamp wasn't lighting fully, and that was the side with the brighter feedback.

Then, after leaving work last night in my daily driver Deuce, I saw that I had no right rear lamp at all. Today, when it warmed up, it was working again.
The pictures show what happens in the front when I activate the turn signals in either direction. The top pic is lamp flash off, and the lower pic is lamp flash on.

My question to the brains and those experienced with military LED's is this....are there parts inside that can be diagnosed and repaired by someone with circuit knowledge?
Air temperature seems to be a HUGE factor in working or not.

If I'm unable to get these things to work reliably, I'll probably have to go back to incandescents.

Little help?!?

 

[Bill Nutting]

When I have weird symptoms with vehicle or trailer lights I always check the ground connections first. When the ground is open you Can get all kinds of weird results.

 

[G744]

Maybe you have the park and turn wires reversed.

DG

 

[sigo]

LEDs all around on mine and I never had any issues like that.

 

[tobyS]

Think how many connections there are and each one is suspect for corrosion....making the minuscule draw of LED a problem. Mine are getting dedicated lines for each light from behind the cab to control them individually (brightness, flash, fade, patterns).

 

[M37M35]

Double and triple check for bad grounds and loose/corroded connections.
And this thread might help.,

Turn Signal Troubleshoot

Can anyone point in the right direction as to what may be up with my turn signals? One day last month the turn signal wouldnt operate for turning left. The right side would however work without fail. Lights work at all corners of the vehicle. So couple of weeks ago we ordered a new flasher...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[Ferroequinologist]

I triple agree with checking all the grounds and connections for corrosion issues.

However, with your statement that air temperature makes a huge difference, my bet is the connections on the boards inside are the issue. 10 years ago these were still cutting edge lighting- and the military bought them by the container load. They also had to swap them out by the container load as well, as failures like yours were common in the beginning. I have swapped several sets over the years that have developed the same symptoms as yours. Nothing I could do would get them going again. I kept a few, maybe I will cut into them and see what makes them tick. Still, difficult to repair and then you loose all your weather tightness.

 

[juanprado]

Due to the fact you are having issues at the front and rear, I don't think the LED is the problem as that would mean multiple fixtures giving you trouble. Troubleshoot your light switch, flasher, grounds, wiring etc. There is another gremlin you are chasing in my opinion that is not the lights themselves. LED are sensitive to everything being "right"

I have them on my truck and 4 trailers with no issues.

 

[cattlerepairman]

I second verifying ground, cleaning and putting a dab of dielectric grease on them when reassembling. Then on to the switches, as suggested.
In my experience, light gremlins after sitting/storage are mostly corroded grounds.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[Recovry4x4]

Also to note, specifically to front lights, grounding it to the mount won't always be good. The way the fenders are attached, rust and spooge could affect the ground path.

 

[cattlerepairman]

@JSBIRD69 I looked at your picture. If your issue is that not all the dots on the front LED light fixture are lighting up, welcome to the club. THAT is a light fixture problem. I had one of these and it annoyed me, each and every time I looked at it. Then I found a spare on the shelf, swapped it and, voila, problem solved. I have had very bad experiences with military LED headlights (Trucklite) that would die like flies, regardless of how much they cost. Usually low beam would conk out.

I suspect that a metric sh*tton of factory reject LED lights and lamps made it onto the surplus market for us all to enjoy. Once you manage to compile a set of LED fixtures that actually work, they DO last a long time.

Alternatively, you can have my old LED amber fixture so that you can have the dots out symmetrically on both sides

 

[JSBIRD69]

When I have weird symptoms with vehicle or trailer lights I always check the ground connections first. When the ground is open you Can get all kinds of weird results.

Thank you Bill.
Been there, done that.
But, stuff happens, so I'll have another go at them.
Jay

 

[JSBIRD69]

Maybe you have the park and turn wires reversed.

DG

DG, Unless I have some serious gremlins hanging out around me, I don't believe that any connections are reversed.
Yesterday, with air temps above 45*F, all my lights were working as designed.
Thanks,
Jay

 

[JSBIRD69]

LEDs all around on mine and I never had any issues like that.

Please buy me a Lotto ticket next time you go out...please.
Jay

 

[JSBIRD69]

Double and triple check for bad grounds and loose/corroded connections.
And this thread might help.,

Turn Signal Troubleshoot

Can anyone point in the right direction as to what may be up with my turn signals? One day last month the turn signal wouldnt operate for turning left. The right side would however work without fail. Lights work at all corners of the vehicle. So couple of weeks ago we ordered a new flasher...

www.steelsoldiers.com

Roger that.
Jay

 

[JSBIRD69]

Think how many connections there are and each one is suspect for corrosion....making the minuscule draw of LED a problem. Mine are getting dedicated lines for each light from behind the cab to control them individually (brightness, flash, fade, patterns).

Hey Toby, when you finish yours, wanna take a crack at mine?
I eagerly await your reply!
Jay

 

[JSBIRD69]

Due to the fact you are having issues at the front and rear, I don't think the LED is the problem as that would mean multiple fixtures giving you trouble. Troubleshoot your light switch, flasher, grounds, wiring etc. There is another gremlin you are chasing in my opinion that is not the lights themselves. LED are sensitive to everything being "right"

I have them on my truck and 4 trailers with no issues.

Thanks Juan...I'm rolling up my sleeves now.
Jay

 

[JSBIRD69]

@JSBIRD69 I looked at your picture. If your issue is that not all the dots on the front LED light fixture are lighting up, welcome to the club. THAT is a light fixture problem. I had one of these and it annoyed me, each and every time I looked at it. Then I found a spare on the shelf, swapped it and, voila, problem solved. I have had very bad experiences with military LED headlights (Trucklite) that would die like flies, regardless of how much they cost. Usually low beam would conk out.

I suspect that a metric sh*tton of factory reject LED lights and lamps made it onto the surplus market for us all to enjoy. Once you manage to compile a set of LED fixtures that actually work, they DO last a long time.

Alternatively, you can have my old LED amber fixture so that you can have the dots out symmetrically on both sides

LOL Thanks CR! But, I'm already ahead of that...both sides display the same fault.
Jay

 

[JSBIRD69]

I triple agree with checking all the grounds and connections for corrosion issues.

However, with your statement that air temperature makes a huge difference, my bet is the connections on the boards inside are the issue. 10 years ago these were still cutting edge lighting- and the military bought them by the container load. They also had to swap them out by the container load as well, as failures like yours were common in the beginning. I have swapped several sets over the years that have developed the same symptoms as yours. Nothing I could do would get them going again. I kept a few, maybe I will cut into them and see what makes them tick. Still, difficult to repair and then you loose all your weather tightness.

I like the way you think!! Please post your findings for us!
Jay

 

[sigo]

Please buy me a Lotto ticket next time you go out...please.
Jay

Luck of the draw I suppose. I did have to swap my old flasher unit for a new one that would work with LEDs. But that was a known issue going in to it. I picked up my LED lights when the market was fairly saturated so they were much cheaper than they are now. I probably wouldn’t have done it if prices then were like they are now. Bought some LED tail lights for a trailer recently, and I’ll be very unhappy if they don’t work.