Post Recalls - Tail Light Illumination Issue Persists - Update

[Sticks]

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?

Unfortunately, neither SAE nor DOT approve or certify anything.

They publish standards, and companies self-certify that their products comply. Anyone can claim to be DOT or SAE whether it complies or not. DOT/NHTSA typically don't seem to take action unless they are flooded with enough complaints that they feel compelled to intervene. It is critical to choose "real brands" that can back their claims up with real data. Not inflated theoretical lumen values, but real spectral data from a calibrated integrating sphere. And real photometric data from a calibrated goniophotometer. Source: I work in this aftermarket field.

For what it's worth, I'm skeptical that the incandescent ramp-up would be perceivable by an average driver versus LEDs -- particularly at a safe following distance.

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[Ruggybuggy]

Unfortunately, neither SAE nor DOT approve or certify anything.

They publish standards, and companies self-certify that their products comply. Anyone can claim to be DOT or SAE whether it complies or not. DOT/NHTSA typically don't seem to take action unless they are flooded with enough complaints that they feel compelled to intervene. It is critical to choose "real brands" that can back their claims up with real data. Not inflated theoretical lumen values, but real spectral data from a calibrated integrating sphere. And real photometric data from a calibrated goniophotometer. Source: I work in this aftermarket field.

For what it's worth, I'm skeptical that the incandescent ramp-up would be perceivable by an average driver versus LEDs -- particularly at a safe following distance.

Your right in that leds are not safer than incandescent bulbs and drivers will not notice any difference.

The advantages of LED is that they simply draw less power and last longer the incandescent. Manufactures are making the switch to LEDs for those reasons. Manufactures can also use smaller wiring when using leds which saves them money.

 

[Pudakis]

I have the new updated Lasfit bulbs and the recall is done, there is still hyperflash sometimes which I didn’t think was a big deal at the time, until I went out one night for a drive and noticed when the hyper flash is happening the turn signals ARE NOT working, when the hyper flash isn’t present the turn signals work.

 

[dusty1787]

I have the new updated Lasfit bulbs and the recall is done, there is still hyperflash sometimes which I didn’t think was a big deal at the time, until I went out one night for a drive and noticed when the hyper flash is happening the turn signals ARE NOT working, when the hyper flash isn’t present the turn signals work.

Thanks for that info. I will keep that in mind when I am going to mess around with Forscan and the different LED bulbs in a couple hours, but I will keep an eye out on that. More than likely tho I will be putting in stock bulbs... if thats what stops any issues from happening*

 

[Pudakis]

Thanks for that info. I will keep that in mind when I am going to mess around with Forscan and the different LED bulbs in a couple hours, but I will keep an eye out on that. More than likely tho I will be putting in stock bulbs... if thats what stops any issues from happening*

Same here

 

[TrailMaster]

Seeing this after posting a similar question. I am using these (filed off the little tabs so they fit in the sockets).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2653862585...kcgiTXYSz6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

On a test drive today, I only noticed the dash hyperflash. The bulbs are flashing at the correct rate. I pulled over in a lot and threw the truck it in park with the blinkers going. Walking to the back the bulbs are working as they should with a proper flash rate. BUT if problems are going to start sprouting up I'll also be going back to the old halogens.

 

[todd92]

Not following how a recall has anything to do with poorly engineered LED bulbs that cause issues.

 

[dusty1787]

UPDATE 2: ...Final update (for the foreseeable future)...

I just swapped the bulbs around thinking somehow the polarity or whatever was off. Then went into Forscan and changed all the settings to stock...tested...then changed them back...tested... then changed some on and some off in different combinations...tested...and came to a conclusion.

Since this most recent Recall from Ford dealing with the lights/BCM... I have gone back to the incandescent bulbs unfortunately. (at least for the time being). The recall stated that there was brake light assembly's that would go dark and the recall was to fix that issue. But the same day (and a second time the next day) I got the recall to fix it done... I experienced the light out issue... made me determine it has to be due to the LEDs and to try some other LED bulbs to check.
" 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. "

I will possibly look into the different part number Sylvania bulb and modifying it to make it fit at a later time, but for now, back to OEM. I have seen a few comments on here that the initial issue I was having with the whole light assembly randomly turning off...that going back to OEM incandescent bulbs no longer had that issue appear. so that's what I did....as that was my main issue/concern I wanted to correct/fix.

NOTE: I still have the front turn signals, the front bumper marker lights, 3rd brake light, reverse lights, and 3rd brake located truck bed lights... as LASFIT LEDs... but the issue of the brake light assembly randomly not illuminating seems to be a rear brake light issue with LEDs in.

So because I tried 2 different LED bulbs, one better quality than the other, and had different results, I have decided to go back to OEM (as that is the only fix to my initial concern/issue currently).

Until someone figures out the root cause of what I was experiencing with the light assembly randomly not illuminating with LEDs in... (IE don't draw enough power, or surge too much, or something like that), or finds a LED bulb that works in the Maverick without the light out issue, incandescent bulbs are back in. I will keep an eye out to make sure that the brake assembly issue doesn't come back with my OEM bulbs back in for a few days/week, but until then, no more LED brake/turn signals.

 

[CurtisB]

I have written in here about this in another similar thread, but I just want to say that more and more vehicles that have been built within the last couple of years that were not built to handle LED lighting will cause a malfunction. I used to do this with all my cars starting around 2004.

Around 2015, I couldn't just buy bulbs anymore. The car wouldn't see them. I had to buy a complete tailight housing that was wired inside with a matching resister. You virtually just plugged in the entire housing. It worked, but it was expensive. It was cool looking, but I thought to myself, "not doing this again."

Until an aftermarket company comes out with a complete Maverick rear tailight housing with LED lighting and a built in resistor that is plug and play, I think we will be out of luck. Just my opinion.

 

[dusty1787]

I have written in here about this in another similar thread, but I just want to say that more and more vehicles that have been built within the last couple of years that were not built to handle LED lighting will cause a malfunction. I used to do this with all my cars starting around 2004.

Around 2015, I couldn't just buy bulbs anymore. The car wouldn't see them. I had to buy a complete tailight housing that was wired inside with a matching resister. You virtually just plugged in the entire housing. It worked, but it was expensive. It was cool looking, but I thought to myself, "not doing this again."

Until an aftermarket company comes out with a complete Maverick rear tailight housing with LED lighting and a built in resistor that is plug and play, I think we will be out of luck. Just my opinion.

Thanks for your info on this. Up until this last recall, my Lariat would randomly have the assembly turn off. And I was able to temporarily fix it by switching the lights off and on, but that was an inconvenience to do so, and for the fact I wasn't always aware that the light went out. Then the recall with the wording making it sound like they figured out the fix, and then the same day and day after I had the recall done... I had the issue happen again....gave me the ultimatum of find another bulb that works or back to OEM. That it wasn't worth it in the long run to keep dealing with this day after day for the next handful of years to come.

 

[numike]

I am going out to https://www.diodedynamics.com/ in St. Charles MO tomorrow 6/27 and run all this by them
One if the engineer there has a Maverick

 

[NJBob]

This may be a stupid question but why doesn't Ford use leds for all the lamps. I am guessing cost. But my 2008 Saturn had them for the tail lights.

 

[Zed79]

This may be a stupid question but why doesn't Ford use leds for all the lamps. I am guessing cost. But my 2008 Saturn had them for the tail lights.

They cost a Ton seem to fail as often or more under warranty very little benefit on low wattage bulbs like brake turn.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I have the new updated Lasfit bulbs and the recall is done, there is still hyperflash sometimes which I didn’t think was a big deal at the time, until I went out one night for a drive and noticed when the hyper flash is happening the turn signals ARE NOT working, when the hyper flash isn’t present the turn signals work.

That means that the hyperflash is working properly. To let you know bulb is not drawing current as expected.
Maybe reseat bulb? One of recalls had to be redone as Ford said the were failing to account for the right turn light draw. I have oem bulbs and have no issues. (That I know of).

 

[Dmat]

I posted about this too. I honestly havent messed with anything yet either. I'll eventually get around to it.

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