General Wiring Issues For Lighting

[OfftourRoadie96]

I currently have two issues I'm trying to deal with.....

 

#1. Ever since I installed my KMA BUMPER, my turn signal flashers sound and blink faster when the brakes are applied. When I release the brake pedal, they resume back to normal sound and speed. I can only assume there was an issue in wiring the turn signal lights in the new bumper.....the OEM turn signals have only two wires where as the new "bumper" turn signals came with 3, one being a ground wire, which I just left there. After a week or so, I eventually blow a rear turn signal bulb. Any ideas?

 

 

#2. I have an issue with the new PIAA BACK-UP Lights I just installed trying to get them to light up when I'm in REVERSE. More details about the situation are at this link starting at post #6 PIAA REVERSE LIGHT ISSUE

Edited February 2, 2011 by OfftourRoadie96

[ahardb0dy]

Usually when the turn signals blink faster it means you have a bulb out somewhere, and if it only does it when you step on the brake I would check the brake lights.

Are the lights that came with the KMA bumper LED's?

 

as for the second question I replied in your other thread

Edited February 2, 2011 by ahardb0dy

[OfftourRoadie96]

Usually when the turn signals blink faster it means you have a bulb out somewhere, and if it only does it when you step on the brake I would check the brake lights.

Are the lights that came with the KMA bumper LED's?

 

 

No, regular. All the bulbs are good until one blows, it's been the brake lights. I replace, but still blink fast after replacing when applying brakes then back to normal when I'm off the brake pedal.

[MY1PATH]

the 3 wire signals are usually meant to be used as running lights and turn signals. The ground needs to be grounded, the low watt wire needs to splice with your side marker and the High Watt (brighter) needs to go to your turn signal.

The higher wattage will slow down your blink rate.

 

I think whats happening is you are running both filaments in series because there is no ground in between. When you hit the brake there is not enough current to keep the front lit and just like when you have a bulb burned out when the blinker runs faster.

[JamesRich]

I agree with MY1PATH on the front signals. That is how I wired mine. The two wires from the original signal light go to the ground and brighter element of the new light for turn signals. Test and make sure the ground wire is correct. Then tap into the side marker light for power for the other park light in the new lights. I don't remember the wire colors on the new lights but I can get back to you if you need. The blinking problem sounds like you are loosing your ground in one of your tail lights. When you press the brake, the brake light bulb is grounding through the signal light bulb and canceling it out which make your signals blink faster. Have someone watch your brake lights when you push them, the brake light on the bad side probably wont light up either.

James

[OfftourRoadie96]

That is how I wired mine. The two wires from the original signal light go to the ground and brighter element of the new light for turn signals. Test and make sure the ground wire is correct. Then tap into the side marker light for power for the other park light in the new lights. I don't remember the wire colors on the new lights but I can get back to you if you need.

James

 

I take any reference at this point....I poked my head under there, the new light has three wires, Black, Red & White. If you can supply me with any info as to which wires you splice into would be great. Do your lights function as turn signals and running lights as your corner lights too??? As of right now, I have no "Parking Lights" at all, the first position on the light control switch before full head lights. I screwed this all up!

[JamesRich]

I take any reference at this point....I poked my head under there, the new light has three wires, Black, Red & White. If you can supply me with any info as to which wires you splice into would be great. Do your lights function as turn signals and running lights as your corner lights too??? As of right now, I have no "Parking Lights" at all, the first position on the light control switch before full head lights. I screwed this all up!

The white wire on the new light is ground obviously because it has the ring terminal on it, cut the ring off and connect it to the black wire from you turn signal connectors.

The hot wire for the turn signals should be gray/blue on the left and gray/red on the right. On the new lights IIRC the red is the brighter element which would be turn signal and the black wire would be clearance lights. I know the colors are screwy but it's industry standards for big trucks. Now connect the hot from each signal to the red wire on the new lights and your done with the signals.

Now pull out your side clearance light to get access to the harness. The hot to the clearance light should be Pink/blue. Splice a new wire into this wire and run it to the black wire on the new lights and you should have clearance light too. If you don't solder and heat shrink your connections use crimp on splices for now. Please don't just twist the wires together and tape. This may take a while so you don't want to attempt it standing in the snow. If you can borrow someones shop it would help alot.

James

[OfftourRoadie96]

Thanks alot James! I got the turn signals straightened out right....they blink correctly and sound right. BUT NOW, I have no running lights at all....first lighting position on the switch have no lights at all including the rear....is there a fuse or relay for the running lights, if there is, I'm not seeing it. Headlights work up front, but I also have no lights in the rear, brake light work, reverse lights work, NO RUNNING LIGHTS IN REAR & NO PLATE LIGHTS. Can anyone HELP!

[JamesRich]

It looks like fuse 61 in the FSM. Change the fuse and if it blows again disconnect the wire you ran to the black wire on the new light harness. If that helps your new wire you ran from the clearance lights is pinched somewhere.

Also if the fuse blows again try just unplugging the harness from the new lights. One of them could have a short internally.

James

Edited February 5, 2011 by JamesRich

[OfftourRoadie96]

VICTORY! Thanks James and MY1PATH!

 

Bad Fuse under the hood, bad bulb in the rear and replaced front 2 corners twice ( at least I have a spare set now! )

I still have one bad license plate bulb out (couldnt figure out how to open it up?)

Edited February 5, 2011 by OfftourRoadie96