[Spiritglove]

I replaced my halogens with LEDs Fahren Forcher LEDs. In my 2000 Astro Mark III.
After replace the Left side I tested before replacing the right side.

The LEDs didn't work. So I shut off the Astro and put the halogens back in.

After checking with the Halogens , now my high beams don't work. They work if I hold the switch on, but won't stay on.

Update : after 2 hours the high beams come and stay on, but only one , the Right side.

I suspect burning out the multifunction switch.

Has anyone had this difficulty ?

 

[ehbrown1]

Yep. Been there done that. When they first came out with the LED replacements I did that (ahem, twice). What they didn't tell you at the time is that they were polarity sensitive. In my case, one was backwards and it actually blew out the headlight fuse, I was lucky. LED lights are diodes and if connected the wrong way, they deadhead voltage causing bad things to happen. You could have a damaged dimmer switch, DRL module or headlamp switch.

Check "Gauges" fuse and "DRL" fuse under the dash. If they are good, I think you have a switch problem now. Time to break out the old test light, unless you have access to a Tech 2.

 

[Spiritglove]

Yep. Been there done that. When they first came out with the LED replacements I did that (ahem, twice). What they didn't tell you at the time is that they were polarity sensitive. In my case, one was backwards and it actually blew out the headlight fuse, I was lucky. LED lights are diodes and if connected the wrong way, they deadhead voltage causing bad things to happen. You could have a damaged dimmer switch, DRL module or headlamp switch.

Check "Gauges" fuse and "DRL" fuse under the dash. If they are good, I think you have a switch problem now. Time to break out the old test light, unless you have access to a Tech 2.

I didn't get a lick on instructions with these. I can't explain it! Now it's working like it should!

What just happened ?
After removing the leds and replacing with original halogens.
The status of my headlights keeps changing. Now it working right?

What just happened ?

OK, so you are telling me that after I place them according to proper polarity they will work?

Am I going to go through something similar .
I only did 1 side . Is it required that you do both sides to get the leds to work ?

 

[Spiritglove]

 

[Rod's Trucks]

l do not think he is telling you they WILL work. That assumes everything in the circuit is still OK.
I think he is telling you they will NOT work if wired with the incorrect polarity.
There is a significant difference.
Several previous posts on the subject refer to having to do some wiring modification, but I have no direct experience with exactly what was done.

The headlight circuitry in our A/S vans is not particularly conventional, so that adds another layer to the problem of converting to LED's. Also, not all LED assemblies are the same, so it is possible one brand may need different nt installation and wiring.
Someone else may be able tocontribute more specific information

 

[ehbrown1]

If you're lucky that everything has returned to normal, you can always try them again. Just check the polarity first. Hook them up to a 12v battery and see which is positive. Then check your wiring harness to do the same.

I have found that some of the LED headlights will not work properly in some vehicles. I tried them in my two 2007 Saturn Ions and they both hated them. I had nothing but trouble with them affecting other electrical components. Got to the point I just put the halogens back in and everything was fine. I'm not an electronics expert, but I have found that some vehicles just don't like them.

Now I have them installed in both of my Astro vans, a 2000 and a 2002 and have had no problems with them at all, once the polarity thing was worked out. Could also be the manufacturer of the lights too.

 

[MechBob]

Well I hope you don't use them, one less poor "conversion" of mismatched parts that most likely will blind or cause issues for oncoming traffic. Do it right, buy complete headlight upgrade assembly's.

 

[Spiritglove]

Well I hope you don't use them, one less poor "conversion" of mismatched parts that most likely will blind or cause issues for oncoming traffic. Do it right, buy complete headlight upgrade assembly's.

That's what I have , complete assembly. Properly adjusting them downward.

I didn't buy the super bright ones. These are 3x brighter in a better spectrum than the halogens

 

[Spiritglove]

Well I hope you don't use them, one less poor "conversion" of mismatched parts that most likely will blind or cause issues for oncoming traffic. Do it right, buy complete headlight upgrade assembly's.

Incandescent lights had much better quality light than the Far Red of the halogens. They are so dim they are dangerous. Dim lights makes it hard to read a lot of road signs at night. Especially street signs, the little things with street names. Never a problem with regular old fashioned incandescent lights. Neither was blinding on coming traffic.
Holgen lights , that's evidence that no one with an IQ below 100 should be voting. Just because it can be done, doesn't mean it's the best idea. Holgens suck!

 

[Spiritglove]

l do not think he is telling you they WILL work. That assumes everything in the circuit is still OK.
I think he is telling you they will NOT work if wired with the incorrect polarity.
There is a significant difference.
Several previous posts on the subject refer to having to do some wiring modification, but I have no direct experience with exactly what was done.

The headlight circuitry in our A/S vans is not particularly conventional, so that adds another layer to the problem of converting to LED's. Also, not all LED assemblies are the same, so it is possible one brand may need different nt installation and wiring.
Someone else may be able tocontribute more specific information

Ya I understand the polarity issue. I was asking about having led on the right head light while having halogen in the left head light at the same time when I start the engine

 

[ehbrown1]

Why on earth would you want both? Either/or. If you cannot get LED's to work, then put the halogens back in. Simple. If you can get the LED's to work, put them in. Simple.

I like the LED's because they are a brighter white. Mine aren't even close to some of the newer vehicles with those ungodly bright lights from the factory. There's nothing wrong with halogen lights, but my preference is the whiter LED. Always a good idea to adjust your headlights properly, but some are just too lazy. "The factory did it 20 years ago, so why do I need to do it now?" That's inconsiderate for one thing and the last thing you want to be doing is squirrel hunting with those new LED's.

 

[MechBob]

Any poorly aligned light is bad for oncoming drivers. By all standards, halogens are better than incandescent. HID's are the worse for oncoming traffic, especially the aftermarket kits. LED "conversions" can be as bad, as leds do not "play well" in lens/housings made for other bulbs. Full led units now seem to be pretty good, EXCEPT, it's a toss up, many like them for low energy usage, BUT, as snow plow light manufacturers found out, yes, the bulbs get very hot, BUT the type of light they put out does not/will not keep ice off the lens. So, they all nowhave heaters in the lens. Woops, power usage back up, cost of lamp back up. Not a problem for you warm climate people, but does affect at least 1/2 the country, and most of Canada. Now, because of said problems, lots of cars/trucks now have lens heaters from the factory. Ah, back to the days of $500 headlights.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

Ya I understand the polarity issue. I was asking about having led on the right head light while having halogen in the left head light at the same time when I start the engine

I have no idea what might happen, with one LED loght and one halogen.
If no wiring mods were done, then I 'think' it would be just fine as far as functioning.
If a wiring mod was required to get the polaritybor switching correct, then I suspect there might be some potential problem.
That is just my opinion, and I have anecdotal evidence to back it up.
I just recall 'some' have had difficulties of some form or another.
Rod J

Ya I understand the polarity issue. I was asking about having led on the right head light while having halogen in the left head light at the same time when I start the engine

ink

 

[ehbrown1]

If you choose to have both types of lights, there should be no problem if connected properly. I have seen people use halogen for low beams and LED's for High beams with no problems. It all goes through the same 40A Headlamp Fuse and that fuse along with the dimmer switch could care less what type of bulbs you are using. (unless they exceed 40 Amps - not very likely though)

 

[AstroWill]

Have a link to the exact lights purchased? Often those sealed beams are not set up for a direct replacement into our vans, because of the way they are wired. Search LED headlight in my signature link, just so happened to use the 2000 wiring diagram as an example.