why are the interior lights staying on??

Post Wed May 24, 2006 10:56 pm

Hey people this is an easy one for somebody!!

I bought white LED replacement bulbs for my interior lights (they were supposed to be brighter than normal bulbs). They look cool but when the doors shut dont go off completely, instead they still give off a slight glow!

Does anyone with electric knowledge know whats goin on and how i can get them off? Im concerned that'll drain the battery so i dont use them at all!!

much appreciated
Jason

Post Thu May 25, 2006 9:07 am

Jay07 wrote:Hey people this is an easy one for somebody!!

I bought white LED replacement bulbs for my interior lights (they were supposed to be brighter than normal bulbs). They look cool but when the doors shut dont go off completely, instead they still give off a slight glow!

Does anyone with electric knowledge know whats goin on and how i can get them off? Im concerned that'll drain the battery so i dont use them at all!!

much appreciated
Jason

you havent done something stupid like moved the switches to the "always on" position, have you?

failing that, its probably sommat to do with your switches in the door frame

Post Thu May 25, 2006 9:32 am

Not sure.. bat afaik.. LEDs draw less power than bulbs.. and also use less. SO.. QED... you need a capacitor or something like that inline. ( Or is it resistor?)

A mate had the same problem with an engine mod. Put a holley carb on a Rangie, but couldn't work out why the engine would still run after turning it off. Checked all the wires.. and found that there was still power going to the HT leads.. Solve problem.... Put a light bulb in line with the coil.. so that takes up the battery power and Voila.. engine stops.

Post Thu May 25, 2006 10:11 am

Alrite Chaps!

Thanks for the posts! 320Touring - My avatar says newbie not dumb dumb

I checked the switch positions and doors switches but that didnt make a difference! current was still passing thru to the bulbs.

Oze cheers for that mate!! I assume you gave me that as an example and I can solve my problem by using my old blubs in line along with the led's - Or were you recommending that I place one in line with the coil?

Either way that makes sense and i appreciate the post!!!
Let there be light

Post Thu May 25, 2006 1:11 pm

Jay07 wrote:Alrite Chaps!

Thanks for the posts! 320Touring - My avatar says newbie not dumb dumb

LOL! no offence intended

we all have "blonde" moments

as for putting a bulb in the line-that will still draw current surely? meaning that the battery goes flat?

Post Thu May 25, 2006 1:39 pm

hmm fair point! and a good ? - I first took oze point as dispersing charged energy/current throught the filament, if that being the case why wouldn't LEDs do the same...? hmm - i have limited electrical knowledge (duh!) Any electricians in the zone? Need some more thoughts on this one!! - And i thought it was gona be a quikie

Post Thu May 25, 2006 10:49 pm

I'm sorry, but there's no other way to put it! What oze30 has posted is total drivel! (Other than a LED needs a current limiting resistor, of course).
Have you put the wires back in the correct place on the interior lights?
This is the most likely cause of your problem.

Post Thu May 25, 2006 11:09 pm

Hey Brian!

Good to here from you as always! - I will try and flip the bulbs round but i didnt mess with the wiring! - Maybe i was just unlucky and put them both in the wrong way!!! I'll try that 2moro! Is that wat u meant?

Post Thu May 25, 2006 11:16 pm

Post Thu May 25, 2006 11:20 pm

LMFAO

Post Thu May 25, 2006 11:21 pm

Thats Cold Dem!!!

Post Thu May 25, 2006 11:23 pm

The red/green wire should be at one end of the light, and the other two at the other end.
I take it you've fitted some kind of proprietry LED unit that has the same fitting as the standard 10W bulb, not assembled something uaing LEDs and resistors soldered together?
Do you have an interior light delay unit?

Post Thu May 25, 2006 11:31 pm

I just have the standard interior lights located in the center on opposites sides of the car, I bought LED version replacement blubs that look exactly like the originals i took out. Without checking i remembered it being one wire in and the other 1 out. - As far as im aware no delay unit!!!

Post Fri May 26, 2006 9:56 am

Bottom right image is the bulb type i bought it that helps!!

Post Fri May 26, 2006 7:34 pm

Brian..

Thats what it's called!!!!

Cheers

OT

That red wire is for the earth for elec windows!
See other post for details!

Sorry for OT

Post Fri May 26, 2006 7:49 pm

Jay07 wrote:being one wire in and the other 1 out. - As far as im aware no delay unit!!!

Should be three wires to an interior light.
Red/green (12V+), brown (earth), and brown/purple (door switch).
If the switch is in the middle position one end of the lamp should not physically be touching anything metal, so can't be drawing power.
When it's switched to the `brown/purple, it still shouldn't draw power as this wire goes to the door switches, which should not connect the wire to anything when the doors are closed.

Post Fri May 26, 2006 7:56 pm

The helps appreciated Brian! - You've given me enough to check out!!
Once done please keep a eye open for this post - i'll let you know the results. If switching the bulbs round doesnt make a difference then it should be obvious why the circuit still completes with the info you've given me. I'll get my meter out and check voltage too.

Have a great weekend mate!!