Flashing too fast MOT fail

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Flashing too fast MOT fail

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22/10/2011 9:06:28

ZombieUk

Posts: 39
Since: 7/8/2011
Region: South West
Status: offline

Hi all, my 3200 is currently laid up due to MOT. The rhs indicators are flashing too fast. This seems to be due to a couple of missing LEDs in the boomerang. Whilst replacing the LEDs would be the long term fix, is there anyone with any known tips on how to get over this more easily. For example I was thinking that putting in a resistor at the right place might help to get the loading right and the flashing back into spec? Many thanks!

22/10/2011 10:26:18

dunnah01

Posts: 56
Since: 22/8/2011
Status: offline

You may be able to graft something like this into the wiring but I've never tried it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/W5W-501-T10-LED-Car-Bulbs-Can-Bus-Error-RESISTORS-FIX-/310326408932?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4840e536e4

It's just a resistor I think so you could measure your existing resistance and then adjust with something like this to simulate the number of diodes not lit.

23/10/2011 1:04:47

ZombieUk

Posts: 39
Since: 7/8/2011
Region: South West
Status: offline

Sounds like a good option if there is no standard fix for this problem.. Can't believe that getting it so far they are failing me on this really silly issue :/ !!

25/10/2011 12:51:00

davy83

Posts: 186
Since: 5/6/2009
Region: Aberdeen
Status: offline

I have had this problem twice already and I managed to open up the boomerang light unit and replace the LED's/parts. Its a sealed light unit so its not as straight forward as it might seem, and requires a precision sectioning of the plastic housing. Once you have it open the parts are not too hard to get, although there is a complex circuit with an alarming number of small surface mount transistors which can also fail when the LED's go.

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26/10/2011 23:39:05

ZombieUk

Posts: 39
Since: 7/8/2011
Region: South West
Status: offline

Thanks Davy, I assume the LEDs are driven as a complete string?? If so I suppose the LEDs have zeners ensuring that one led open circuit does not produce a complete Open Circuit resulting in total failure. If that is the case the zeners probably have a bigger voltage drop than the LEDs which might explain the faster flashing. Knee jerk solution is a suitable resistor across the input cable resulting in less voltage drop at least would get me through the MOT :/ Regards, Zombie

26/10/2011 23:52:53

javier

Posts: 93
Since: 17/1/2010
Region: Madrid, Spain
Status: offline

More probably they are arranged in a series/parallel fashion (i.e. several stings in parallel), since they are too much LEDs to be driven in series from 12V

27/10/2011 13:10:46

davy83

Posts: 186
Since: 5/6/2009
Region: Aberdeen
Status: offline

There are many individual circuits I seem to remember the LEDS are in banks of 4 and they are driven by a current regulating transistor to keep the brightness constant with changing battery voltage. there is a monitoring circuit too which allows the lamp module to know if there are failures. I am surprised the flash rate is affected by the failures to be honest, since the circuit controlling the flash rate is not driving the LEDs it simply drives some transistors. Do you have water in either of the lamp modules? have you checked the wiring in the boot, there is a complex connector between the controller and the lamp module.

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27/10/2011 23:55:29

ZombieUk

Posts: 39
Since: 7/8/2011
Region: South West
Status: offline

Thanks guys some very very good ideas. Maybe the wrong spec bulb for the side repeater or something as basic as that. I will check it out now! Cheers, Zombie

28/10/2011 7:21:25

deano

Posts: 183
Since: 22/1/2009
Status: offline

ive got exactly the same issue with mine,,though no LED's are out,bulb wattage is correct as ive checked this,so would be great to hear your findings,again mine is also on the right hand side.

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