Electrical Lighting Gremlin: Amber Parking Lights and Flashers

[Matchstick08]

Since day one, I've been battling an intermittent electrical issue with the parking lights on my Maverick.

The day I brought it home, I noticed that the passenger side amber wasn't light when I opened the door. I R&I'd the bulb to check the filament (looked OK) and it started working again. Chalked it up to a fluke. Unfortunately, I noticed this happen on 2 other occasions - always the passenger side.

Instead of buying replacement incandescent bulbs, I installed LASFIT LEDs, but the problem persisted.

I would take it to a dealer, but the issue comes so seldom (sometimes not for weeks), I know the dealer would see the light functioning and say there's no issue. I haven't been able to find a way to repeatably cause the issue

The behavior below has been attributed to the LED bulbs - not related to the issue highlighted above.

until this past weekend. I was following a friend home from camping when his trailer light failed, we pulled over on the side of the road to inspect and I had my hazard flashers on.

For the 1st minute or two, the flasher were operating normally. After about 8-10 minutes, they were illuminating so quick (almost like a camera flash) and you could see they were uneven. The passenger side would turn off slightly before the driver's side.

I was able to replicate this in my driveway when I got home.

Video of the flashers on for the first minute:

Flashers after running about 10 minutes:

What the heck is going on? Failing wiring harness? Faulty connector? @Ford Motor Company
Electrical issues are the worst to diagnose. Suppose I could start making sure I'm getting 12V at the socket.

I've since replaced the LEDs back to the original incandescent. I'm going to see if it behaves the same this evening and if it does I'll schedule a dealer appointment.

Ugh

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[respi133]

I see you got the Winky Package on your Mav, thought that was a constraint item??

 

[Darnon]

The aftermarket LEDs are known to start hyperflashing after they heat up from extended use.

Also I wouldn't say the issue is entirely undiagnosable if it wasn't acting up when taken to the dealer. The BCM does potentially set codes if there are circuit faults detected.

 

[Matchstick08]

The aftermarket LEDs are known to start hyperflashing after they heat up from extended use.

Also I wouldn't say the issue is entirely undiagnosable if it wasn't acting up when taken to the dealer. The BCM does potentially set codes if there are circuit faults detected.

So anyone with LASFITs can't use their hazard lights for an extended period of time? I feel like there should have been a well advertised disclaimer for this. @LASFIT

 

[NJ Pinelands]

 

[Darnon]

So anyone with LASFITs can't use their hazard lights for an extended period of time? I feel like there should have been a well advertised disclaimer for this. @LASFIT

It's a commonality with LEDs with an integrated CANBUS-fooling resistor to prevent the resistor from blowing out. There's a whole prior thread.

 

[Matchstick08]

It's a commonality with LEDs with an integrated CANBUS-fooling resistor to prevent the resistor from blowing out. There's a whole prior thread.

Ah! I'll read through that. Thanks for the link.

So - my hazard issue may be only due to LEDs. It wouldn't explain the RH light intermittently failing when it had the incandescent bulb in it.

 

[respi133]

I did notice my LASFITs hyperflashing during long turn line waits, only to return to normal after a short time being off.

@Matchstick08 hopefully you're able to diagnose your incandescent gremlin, starting with a volt check is definitely the right move. Good luck! and don't forget to let us know how it goes, none of us ever know when the gremlin might pop its head out of the hood.

 

[Matchstick08]

I did notice my LASFITs hyperflashing during long turn line waits, only to return to normal after a short time being off.

@Matchstick08 hopefully you're able to diagnose your incandescent gremlin, starting with a volt check is definitely the right move. Good luck! and don't forget to let us know how it goes, none of us ever know when the gremlin might pop its head out of the hood.

One symptom I forgot to mention:

With the LEDs installed and parking lights on, occasionally I could see the RH bulb slightly flicker. I've noticed this even in my car's reflection of a chrome bumper when sitting at a stop light. The bulb doesn't always flicker. I was able to capture one small flicker (this was with the LEDS when the 1st picture was taken).

 

[respi133]

Haven't noticed myself but also haven't looked for that! Good looking out

 

[Matchstick08]

OEM incandescent bulbs installed and it happened again when I got home from work today. I had the wherewithal to video record. @Ford Motor Company

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Since day one, I've been battling an intermittent electrical issue with the parking lights on my Maverick.

The day I brought it home, I noticed that the passenger side amber wasn't light when I opened the door. I R&I'd the bulb to check the filament (looked OK) and it started working again. Chalked it up to a fluke. Unfortunately, I noticed this happen on 2 other occasions - always the passenger side.

Instead of buying replacement incandescent bulbs, I installed LASFIT LEDs, but the problem persisted.

I would take it to a dealer, but the issue comes so seldom (sometimes not for weeks), I know the dealer would see the light functioning and say there's no issue. I haven't been able to find a way to repeatably cause the issue

The behavior below has been attributed to the LED bulbs - not related to the issue highlighted above.

until this past weekend. I was following a friend home from camping when his trailer light failed, we pulled over on the side of the road to inspect and I had my hazard flashers on.

For the 1st minute or two, the flasher were operating normally. After about 8-10 minutes, they were illuminating so quick (almost like a camera flash) and you could see they were uneven. The passenger side would turn off slightly before the driver's side.

I was able to replicate this in my driveway when I got home.

Video of the flashers on for the first minute:

Flashers after running about 10 minutes:

What the heck is going on? Failing wiring harness? Faulty connector? @Ford Motor Company
Electrical issues are the worst to diagnose. Suppose I could start making sure I'm getting 12V at the socket.

I've since replaced the LEDs back to the original incandescent. I'm going to see if it behaves the same this evening and if it does I'll schedule a dealer appointment.

Ugh

Hi there, I'd be happy to look into your Maverick electrical concerns on my end. Will you send us a message with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into things on my end.

 

[Matchstick08]

Just a follow up.

Finally got it into the dealer. They said there was poor pin fitment between on the socket connector. They replaced the pigtail and the socket. Hope this solves this issue.

 

[Tech Tye]

I too had LASFITS with the overheating. Got rid of them and went with MAXGTRS. Ordered from china, they are bright , but no running light. I’m trying some new AUXITO 2024 Amber turn from Amazon and they too are bright with no heat issues as they have a fan on both bulbs. I’m not concerned about the running lights as I installed some FENIEX QUADS in the grill and run the amber at 10% . I contacted LASFIT and they issued a refund on the lamps. I tried the brake lamps which all failed in 6 months from over heating. I even tried there newest lamp which was $60 and it thermaled down to half brightness after 2 minutes. Give up on the LASFITS . On the brake lamps , I used a dremal and cut off the top part of the socket so I can use any 7443 lamp. On the MAXGTRS, you pick red -7443 type. They are just as bright as the LASFITS and are still working . On sale for $19.99 per pair , you need 2 pairs

 

[squints]

I too had LASFITS with the overheating. Got rid of them and went with MAXGTRS. Ordered from china, they are bright , but no running light. I’m trying some new AUXITO 2024 Amber turn from Amazon and they too are bright with no heat issues as they have a fan on both bulbs. I’m not concerned about the running lights as I installed some FENIEX QUADS in the grill and run the amber at 10% . I contacted LASFIT and they issued a refund on the lamps. I tried the brake lamps which all failed in 6 months from over heating. I even tried there newest lamp which was $60 and it thermaled down to half brightness after 2 minutes. Give up on the LASFITS . On the brake lamps , I used a dremal and cut off the top part of the socket so I can use any 7443 lamp. On the MAXGTRS, you pick red -7443 type. They are just as bright as the LASFITS and are still working . On sale for $19.99 per pair , you need 2 pairs

If you're running the Fenix Quads up front, you may want to look at the Hella Hero's for the reverse lights. Direct replacement bulb that has additional wires for colored flash.

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