Post Recalls - Tail Light Illumination Issue Persists - Update

[dusty1787]

Hey everyone, Just this past week I got all my recalls (and an oil change) done at my dealership with the hopes that my tail light not illuminating issue would be solved. Since I drove it from the dealership home and once this weekend, I have noticed that the drivers side started acting up again. The simple manually switch the lights off and then back on while the vehicle is running... "resets" the lights and they all light up/work again, but I had high hopes the recall would fix the issue. I posted a couple videos on here in the past (which I will try and find and attach to this post) showing that both passenger and driver do this....and now after my recalls have been completed, still have the issue.

This is leading me to begin troubleshooting what else the issue could be. I did not have any issues with the regular old incandescent bulbs in, but there is a HUGE night/day difference between LED and regular bulbs, which I would rather prefer the LED bulbs for brightness/safety alone. Of which I have been starting to see many more posts on MTC about the quality of the LASFIT bulbs, of which I have in my Maverick right now.

I have some of the original rear bulbs for the Maverick when they were still part of the full vehicle package (for Lariat) on Lasfit website, which now they do not offer rear turn for the lariat package after the whole recall and now hyperflashing issue. (I used forscan to turn off hyperflash to use them since). But I am wondering if somehow the bulbs are still working, but maybe the current/watts/voltage/whatever electricity term you want to use, is fluctuating within the LED bulb somehow (not enough to cause the LEDS to not work), but enough to trick the truck into thinking there is an issue.

Here is what the last recall for lights was about...
" The Body Control Module (BCM) may falsely detect a current overload on one or both of the rear position lamp circuits, resulting in one or both of the lamps to be deactivated during a drive cycle. This issue does not affect headlights, stop lamps (including Center High Mount Stop Lamp), or turn signal functions."....So if the bulbs are faulty, it seems possible that it still is causing the truck to "deactivate" one or both lamps, even tho the bulbs are still working...is my current thoughts.

So instead of jumping right back into the incandescent bulbs, (which I know will work, and others on MTC mentioned they put back in and now are working without the light out issue), I am going to try 1 other name brand LED to see if that changes anything. I guess I could also do the before I drive everytime, switch the lights off and on again routine, but would rather not have to do that. Also, I feel that it is possible for the truck to "deactivate" a lamp while driving as well and I would not realize it. So I have ordered from this site/company before with my old escape (HID conversion kit) and felt like it was good quality product, solid company, and decent warranty. So I know they are slightly on the expensive side, but I can always return them if it doesn't solve the issue, and I had a couple bucks left from my recent wedding so I spent it on...
https://www.morimotohid.com/Morimoto-4257-Resistor-Free-XB-LED-Bulbs?quantity=1

They are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I can update this post this coming weekend if I notice any issues or not. Again, my thought is, its possible the LASFITs are acting up and still causing the truck to think things are going on so it "deactivates" the lamp assembly. So if I switch to another solid LED bulb and still end up having light out issues... then I will put the old bulbs back in and wait until a company may eventually figure out a LED bulb that works...that it has to be the LED bulbs vs incandescents.

Here is the link to my MTC post with how my lights act up on my Lariat with LASFIT bulbs in it...
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/auto-headlamp-setting-problem.39858/#post-760504

Last note, anyone else post recalls with LEDs having bulb out issues, or am I just the really unlucky one?

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[Chris_G]

Hey everyone, Just this past week I got all my recalls (and an oil change) done at my dealership with the hopes that my tail light not illuminating issue would be solved. Since I drove it from the dealership home and once this weekend, I have noticed that the drivers side started acting up again. The simple manually switch the lights off and then back on while the vehicle is running... "resets" the lights and they all light up/work again, but I had high hopes the recall would fix the issue. I posted a couple videos on here in the past (which I will try and find and attach to this post) showing that both passenger and driver do this....and now after my recalls have been completed, still have the issue.

This is leading me to begin troubleshooting what else the issue could be. I did not have any issues with the regular old incandescent bulbs in, but there is a HUGE night/day difference between LED and regular bulbs, which I would rather prefer the LED bulbs for brightness/safety alone. Of which I have been starting to see many more posts on MTC about the quality of the LASFIT bulbs, of which I have in my Maverick right now.

I have some of the original rear bulbs for the Maverick when they were still part of the full vehicle package (for Lariat) on Lasfit website, which now they do not offer rear turn for the lariat package after the whole recall and now hyperflashing issue. (I used forscan to turn off hyperflash to use them since). But I am wondering if somehow the bulbs are still working, but maybe the current/watts/voltage/whatever electricity term you want to use, is fluctuating within the LED bulb somehow (not enough to cause the LEDS to not work), but enough to trick the truck into thinking there is an issue.

Here is what the last recall for lights was about...
" The Body Control Module (BCM) may falsely detect a current overload on one or both of the rear position lamp circuits, resulting in one or both of the lamps to be deactivated during a drive cycle. This issue does not affect headlights, stop lamps (including Center High Mount Stop Lamp), or turn signal functions."....So if the bulbs are faulty, it seems possible that it still is causing the truck to "deactivate" one or both lamps, even tho the bulbs are still working...is my current thoughts.

So instead of jumping right back into the incandescent bulbs, (which I know will work, and others on MTC mentioned they put back in and now are working without the light out issue), I am going to try 1 other name brand LED to see if that changes anything. I guess I could also do the before I drive everytime, switch the lights off and on again routine, but would rather not have to do that. Also, I feel that it is possible for the truck to "deactivate" a lamp while driving as well and I would not realize it. So I have ordered from this site/company before with my old escape (HID conversion kit) and felt like it was good quality product, solid company, and decent warranty. So I know they are slightly on the expensive side, but I can always return them if it doesn't solve the issue, and I had a couple bucks left from my recent wedding so I spent it on...
https://www.morimotohid.com/Morimoto-4257-Resistor-Free-XB-LED-Bulbs?quantity=1

They are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I can update this post this coming weekend if I notice any issues or not. Again, my thought is, its possible the LASFITs are acting up and still causing the truck to think things are going on so it "deactivates" the lamp assembly. So if I switch to another solid LED bulb and still end up having light out issues... then I will put the old bulbs back in and wait until a company may eventually figure out a LED bulb that works...that it has to be the LED bulbs vs incandescents.

Here is the link to my MTC post with how my lights act up on my Lariat with LASFIT bulbs in it...
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/auto-headlamp-setting-problem.39858/#post-760504

Last note, anyone else post recalls with LEDs having bulb out issues, or am I just the really unlucky one?

I had the same issue, re-installed factory halogen bulbs in the rear. All fixed

 

[dusty1787]

I had the same issue, re-installed factory halogen bulbs in the rear. All fixed

Thanks for your input on that. So you are another voice I have heard about going back to stock and issues go away... but I just am being stubborn about going back to stock without a fight...haha. So one more LED bulb to try and if not, back to stock I go!

 

[Chris_G]

Thanks for your input on that. So you are another voice I have heard about going back to stock and issues go away... but I just am being stubborn about going back to stock without a fight...haha. So one more LED bulb to try and if not, back to stock I go!

If you insist on rear LEDs, contact @Diode Dynamics and install load resistors.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

I've been running Sylvania LED in the tail lights in my 2024 since I bought it without issue. The led are low resistance bulbs so I made the programing change with forscan. I did get the recall notice for the tail lights but haven't bothered doing it because of the low resistance bulbs the module will never see an overload condition.

 

[dusty1787]

I've been running Sylvania LED in the tail lights in my 2024 since I bought it without issue. The led are low resistance bulbs so I made the programing change with forscan. I did get the recall notice for the tail lights but haven't bothered doing it because of the low resistance bulbs the module will never see an overload condition.

I never thought about that/those. How long have you had them in and have you ever noticed the issue like the video link I posted above?

 

[Ruggybuggy]

I never thought about that/those. How long have you had them in and have you ever noticed the issue like the video link I posted above?

I have never had that problem or any issues with them. They were actually installed in my Camry for about nine years. I removed them from the Camry before I traded it in on the Maverick. The Sylvania's are a high quality bulb and are readily available from almost all part stores. You do have to reprogram with Forscan to prevent hyperflashing on the instrument cluster.

 

[dusty1787]

I have never had that problem or any issues with them. They were actually installed in my Camry for about nine years. I removed them from the Camry before I traded it in on the Maverick. The Sylvania's are a high quality bulb and are readily available from almost all part stores. You do have to reprogram with Forscan to prevent hyperflashing on the instrument cluster.

I am aware of the Forscan to stop hyperflashing, but what bulb did you get. Just searching local auto parts stores, dont seem to have the 4257. Unless you used a different bulb?...or where did you find them from? (link if possible) thanks

 

[Ruggybuggy]

I am aware of the Forscan to stop hyperflashing, but what bulb did you get. Just searching local auto parts stores, dont seem to have the 4257. Unless you used a different bulb?...or where did you find them from? (link if possible) thanks

Buy the 3057 bulbs. They are the same bulbs except for the two plastic nubs that you have to remove.

Sylvania offer two different 3057 bulbs. One is brighter than the other.

 

[First Sergeant]

Hey everyone, Just this past week I got all my recalls (and an oil change) done at my dealership with the hopes that my tail light not illuminating issue would be solved. Since I drove it from the dealership home and once this weekend, I have noticed that the drivers side started acting up again. The simple manually switch the lights off and then back on while the vehicle is running... "resets" the lights and they all light up/work again, but I had high hopes the recall would fix the issue. I posted a couple videos on here in the past (which I will try and find and attach to this post) showing that both passenger and driver do this....and now after my recalls have been completed, still have the issue.

This is leading me to begin troubleshooting what else the issue could be. I did not have any issues with the regular old incandescent bulbs in, but there is a HUGE night/day difference between LED and regular bulbs, which I would rather prefer the LED bulbs for brightness/safety alone. Of which I have been starting to see many more posts on MTC about the quality of the LASFIT bulbs, of which I have in my Maverick right now.

I have some of the original rear bulbs for the Maverick when they were still part of the full vehicle package (for Lariat) on Lasfit website, which now they do not offer rear turn for the lariat package after the whole recall and now hyperflashing issue. (I used forscan to turn off hyperflash to use them since). But I am wondering if somehow the bulbs are still working, but maybe the current/watts/voltage/whatever electricity term you want to use, is fluctuating within the LED bulb somehow (not enough to cause the LEDS to not work), but enough to trick the truck into thinking there is an issue.

Here is what the last recall for lights was about...
" The Body Control Module (BCM) may falsely detect a current overload on one or both of the rear position lamp circuits, resulting in one or both of the lamps to be deactivated during a drive cycle. This issue does not affect headlights, stop lamps (including Center High Mount Stop Lamp), or turn signal functions."....So if the bulbs are faulty, it seems possible that it still is causing the truck to "deactivate" one or both lamps, even tho the bulbs are still working...is my current thoughts.

So instead of jumping right back into the incandescent bulbs, (which I know will work, and others on MTC mentioned they put back in and now are working without the light out issue), I am going to try 1 other name brand LED to see if that changes anything. I guess I could also do the before I drive everytime, switch the lights off and on again routine, but would rather not have to do that. Also, I feel that it is possible for the truck to "deactivate" a lamp while driving as well and I would not realize it. So I have ordered from this site/company before with my old escape (HID conversion kit) and felt like it was good quality product, solid company, and decent warranty. So I know they are slightly on the expensive side, but I can always return them if it doesn't solve the issue, and I had a couple bucks left from my recent wedding so I spent it on...
https://www.morimotohid.com/Morimoto-4257-Resistor-Free-XB-LED-Bulbs?quantity=1

They are supposed to arrive tomorrow and I can update this post this coming weekend if I notice any issues or not. Again, my thought is, its possible the LASFITs are acting up and still causing the truck to think things are going on so it "deactivates" the lamp assembly. So if I switch to another solid LED bulb and still end up having light out issues... then I will put the old bulbs back in and wait until a company may eventually figure out a LED bulb that works...that it has to be the LED bulbs vs incandescents.

Here is the link to my MTC post with how my lights act up on my Lariat with LASFIT bulbs in it...
https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/auto-headlamp-setting-problem.39858/#post-760504

Last note, anyone else post recalls with LEDs having bulb out issues, or am I just the really unlucky one?

I originally changed to LED's right after I purchased the truck In Nov 23. Then came the recall for turn signals, got that done and had hyperflash (on the dash indicators) issue. Turned off outage in Forscan and all was good. One day, noticed a tail light acting weird like yours. Found a post where had settings to disable ALL of the rear turn/tail/brake light notifications. Did you disable the tail light settings in addition to the turns?

 

[dusty1787]

I originally changed to LED's right after I purchased the truck In Nov 23. Then came the recall for turn signals, got that done and had hyperflash (on the dash indicators) issue. Turned off outage in Forscan and all was good. One day, noticed a tail light acting weird like yours. Found a post where had settings to disable ALL of the rear turn/tail/brake light notifications. Did you disable the tail light settings in addition to the turns?

I dont remember, I believe I did but I will go back and check later after work. I know I left the front settings enabled because the rears were the ones acting up and I didnt see why the truck would "deactivate" the rear light due to the front signal. But I will go back and check/change any that are not like yours. How long have you had the LEDs since you noticed the issue with them and then changed the forscan settings? days...weeks...months.... without an issue since?

 

[Ozarkbeard]

I did not have any issues with the regular old incandescent bulbs in, but there is a HUGE night/day difference between LED and regular bulbs, which I would rather prefer the LED bulbs for brightness/safety alone...

I've had no issues with OEM incandescent/halogen bulbs, either. Plus, their lighting output is all that is needed, as defined by the SAE.

Excessive light output doesn't equate to good lighting or safety.

 

[dusty1787]

I've had no issues with OEM incandescent/halogen bulbs, either. Plus, their lighting output is all that is needed, as defined by the SAE.

Excessive light output doesn't equate to good lighting or safety.

Glad you have no issues with the stock bulbs ... but I slightly disagree with the more light output doesn't equate to good lighting or safety. On the safety part at least, the instant on of the LEDs, will attract your attention sooner (more so at faster speeds) and thus make your vehicle noticed sooner.

There have been multiple tests done on that very issue, both car, truck, and motorcycles (my uncle worked for Harley R&D for ~25yrs and was explaining some of the results the other day to me when they started using LEDs in brake assemblies)...which the overall data about the LEDs show is... LEDs are noticed sooner which decreases chance of rear end accident. (not eliminates, but decreases)

And here is a question...if the LEDs I replace the incandescent bulbs with, are in fact SAE and DOT approved and certified.... shouldn't they meet all requirements then if placed in automotive application?

 

[First Sergeant]

I dont remember, I believe I did but I will go back and check later after work. I know I left the front settings enabled because the rears were the ones acting up and I didnt see why the truck would "deactivate" the rear light due to the front signal. But I will go back and check/change any that are not like yours. How long have you had the LEDs since you noticed the issue with them and then changed the forscan settings? days...weeks...months.... without an issue since?

I installed LED's around December and had turn signal update done in January I think. I let it go for about a month and got tired of the hyperflash on the dash and bought Forscan sometime in March. Right around that time I disabled just the rear turn/stop lamps. Later, maybe April, I noticed one of the taillights not illuminated and same as others, had to cycle on/off headlight switch and things would be ok. So at that time I just disabled anything I could find relating to bulbs on the rear. Never turned off bulb notifications for my switchbacks as I have never had an issue with those. Have had zero problems since early April.

 

[dusty1787]

UPDATE 1:

Well I swapped out the Morimoto LEDS and the Lasfit last night and used the lock/unlock to test to make sure they were installed the right way while I had the assembly open (IE flashed and turned on). of which they did. I then decided to hit the HAZARD button on the dash to get them to flash with the lights turned on manually so that I could take a video of the difference in the LASFIT and Morimoto bulbs. I then went ahead and changed out the other side (with all lights off) then turned them back on and hit the hazard button again to take an after video. Of which I was going to upload on here today (6/26).

Here is the first issue, this morning I remote started the vehicle so I could see that the lights are illuminated (unlike the gremlin I had where the whole light assembly wouldn't light up) and noticed they did. Started driving to work and a big rig with chrome grill was behind me at a traffic light and I could see the brake lights in reflection and didnt seem that bright. When I let go of brake to begin driving I swear I didnt see a change in output (should have gotten duller). Something didnt seem right. I just got to work and decided to leave lights on and hit turn signals and check... for some reason they only flash 3 times and then cancel?. They are illuminated and working, but the flashing stops at like 3 flashes...both left and right turn signal. The fronts still flash away the whole time, but the new bulbs in the rear just stop after like 3 flashes. But if I disengage the turn signal (flip it back up) then engage it (flip back down) it will flash for another like 3 times then stop flashing (but fronts still will flash the whole time like nothing is wrong). Also when driving to work on a sweeping long turn I tapped the brakes a couple times and was watching rear mirror and could see that the brake lights were engaging as it lit up stuff behind me, but I think that after a couple seconds they would stop illuminating bright via the brake (hence with the big rig behind it didnt seem bright or change when I released the brake from a stop). I do not have something currently to hold the brake down and watch at the same time (nor any vehicle around that I could see the reflection of me hitting the brake).

So now after work (driving home carefully and back roads with little to no traffic) I am going to flip the bulbs around first to see if somehow that was an issue or not, along with change the FORSCAN settings back to default for the bulb outage. Otherwise after those 2 things, I will be putting the regular bulbs back in for a while until I try with another poster on here said about the Sylvania bulbs with a modification to it.

All this may sound like a lot, but it took 30 seconds to remove the rear brake light, and 10 seconds to swap out the bulbs on each side. so like 5 minutes total to check. And then Forscan will take maybe 20 minutes to change the settings, check the lights, maybe go for a small drive, and if still having an issue, another 5 minutes to swap out OEM bulbs.

So with 30 minutes of quick diagnosing time, I may be going back to OEM bulbs. I am hoping that maybe the Morimotos are too smart/good in which the vehicle needs to be at stock settings to work, but I have a feeling thats not the case. But oh well.

Ill keep you all informed what I find out later!

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