LED Backup Lights: One Side Dimmer

V8Addict · 05-09-2017, 08:41 AM

Purchased and installed the Phastek Reversed LED kit with harness and bulbs. Installation was fine with no problems. When turned on, I noticed that the driver's backup light was about 1/3 dimmer than the passenger side. Confirmed with the wife later that night (she saw the difference immediately). Switched the bulbs side to side without any change. Contacted Phastek support and they were great, sent me a replacement set of bulbs (one bulb was a little loose on its socket) and checked again. Same result with both new bulbs. Now I asked support for a replacement harness but they aren't sure that will fix the problem. Has anyone that has installed this kit run into this problem or know how to fix it? The taillights are the original, all lights function and both backup lights turn on, no problem with OEM bulbs. I love the look of the LED lights and want to keep them but need to solve this puzzle.

dotfiles · 05-09-2017, 11:30 AM

I would imagine that it is the harness if you aren't having problems with the stock bulbs. I'd have them send you a new one and go from there.

drew.87 · 05-09-2017, 11:55 AM

I have the same problem. I have the Phastek Reversed LED kit with harness but different LED bulbs. One side is about 30% dimmer. I think the side without the harness is dimmer.

cellsafemode · 05-09-2017, 12:09 PM

bad wiring / resistance too low on the load resistor.

changing the bulbs to other led bulbs wont help. You need to either modify the harness to put a much higher resistance resistor in place of the one they have or return it and diy or get a different harness. Unlike the front blinkers, the resistor on the reverse lights doesn't need to be low ohm to act as a load, it just needs to shunt a little bit of current leakage when the lights aren't on.

V8Addict · 05-09-2017, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew.87

I have the same problem. I have the Phastek Reversed LED kit with harness but different LED bulbs. One side is about 30% dimmer. I think the side without the harness is dimmer.

Weird cause mine is dimmer on the side with the resistor. Phastek has sold dozens of these kits, I wish some others would tell us how their installs went.

05-09-2017, 08:41 AM	#1
V8Addict Drives: 2016 2SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: So Calif Posts: 324	LED Backup Lights: One Side Dimmer Purchased and installed the Phastek Reversed LED kit with harness and bulbs. Installation was fine with no problems. When turned on, I noticed that the driver's backup light was about 1/3 dimmer than the passenger side. Confirmed with the wife later that night (she saw the difference immediately). Switched the bulbs side to side without any change. Contacted Phastek support and they were great, sent me a replacement set of bulbs (one bulb was a little loose on its socket) and checked again. Same result with both new bulbs. Now I asked support for a replacement harness but they aren't sure that will fix the problem. Has anyone that has installed this kit run into this problem or know how to fix it? The taillights are the original, all lights function and both backup lights turn on, no problem with OEM bulbs. I love the look of the LED lights and want to keep them but need to solve this puzzle. __________________ 2016 Hyper Blue 2SS, A8, NPP, MRC

05-09-2017, 11:30 AM	#2
dotfiles @SS_1LE Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 381	I would imagine that it is the harness if you aren't having problems with the stock bulbs. I'd have them send you a new one and go from there.

05-09-2017, 11:55 AM	#3
drew.87 Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Houston Posts: 128	I have the same problem. I have the Phastek Reversed LED kit with harness but different LED bulbs. One side is about 30% dimmer. I think the side without the harness is dimmer.

05-09-2017, 12:09 PM	#4
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,514	bad wiring / resistance too low on the load resistor. changing the bulbs to other led bulbs wont help. You need to either modify the harness to put a much higher resistance resistor in place of the one they have or return it and diy or get a different harness. Unlike the front blinkers, the resistor on the reverse lights doesn't need to be low ohm to act as a load, it just needs to shunt a little bit of current leakage when the lights aren't on.

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