Midwest Classic Insurance

Visit our community sponsor

Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Results 1 to 12 of 12

Thread: Electrical help with RT turn signal

  1. #1
    Senior Member John Dol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gorham, ME
    Posts
    1,522
    Post Thanks / Like

    Electrical help with RT turn signal

    I have the Russ Thompson turn signal on my coupe. Initially I had the stock lights etc. The system was all hooked up and worked as needed. I changed over to LED headlights,and I don’t know if it has to do with that, but the high beams are now just flash to pass. They don’t stay on.
    Attached is the schematic that was used for the install.
    Am I missing something?

    37256FC0-5D66-4D4E-BC57-DB8E302DADBB.jpeg

    Thanks

    John
    Finished the "My Coupe, my way" project.

    http://s956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/
    Coupe #386,17" Team III 245 FR 315 RR, 3-link, T5, 4 wheel disk, power brakes/steering. Sniper EFI
    First start Sept. 18 2013 First go kart Sept 19 2013

  2. #2
    Senior Member Gbeck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    South central PA
    Posts
    135
    Post Thanks / Like
    It's a possibility that the lower load of the LED lights results in a higher current flow than your headlight switch's circuit breaker can handle. Do your headlights not stay off, but come back on in a few moments, then off again?

    Do a search for "resistor for LED headlights". There are lots of sources.

    HTH
    Glenn
    Gen 2 Type 65 Coupe. Gen 2 Coyote. T-bird IRS. 3.55 Torsen diff.
    Find me at "Team Limer" on Facebook
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/750619...7668366966791/
    Rally North America "Team Limer"
    https://www.classy.org/team/464751

  3. #3
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Lake Orion, Michigan
    Posts
    10,547
    Post Thanks / Like
    Unless I'm missing something, the lower current draw of the LED's shouldn't cause the circuit breaker in the headlight switch to trip. Again, unless I'm missing something, the resistors for LED headlights are a solution for cars where an LED conversion causes the car's computer to think the light is burned out due to the lower current draw, and issues a warning message. Not applicable in this case. There are also resistors that are added to flash circuits (turn signals, hazards) that won't flash with the lower draw of the LED's. Solid state flashers are a much better solution, but that's off topic and doesn't apply here either.

    In theory, the LED headlights should work fine with the RF harness and Delco style headlight switch provided in these kits. Should be able to just plug them in and enjoy the better lighting with much lower current draw. I'm running an LED conversion kit in my #8674 Roadster, and it works perfectly. I'm wondering if a wire got knocked off somewhere or maybe something failed. Like that famous latching relay. The VW one in your diagram. They're known for exactly what you describe. If you plug the old headlights back in, does it work like before or does it still fail?
    Last edited by edwardb; 07-23-2018 at 05:48 AM.
    Build 1: Mk3 Roadster #5125. Sold 11/08/2014. Build 2: Mk4 Roadster #7750. Sold 04/10/2017. Build Thread
    Build 3: Mk4 Roadster 20th Anniversary #8674. Sold 09/07/2020. Build Thread and Video. Build 4: Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe #59. Gen 3 Coyote. Legal 03/04/2020. Build Thread and Video
    Build 5: 35 Hot Rod Truck #138. LS3 and 4L65E auto. Rcvd 01/05/2021. Legal 04/20/2023. Build Thread. Sold 11/9/2023.

  4. #4
    Senior Member John Dol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gorham, ME
    Posts
    1,522
    Post Thanks / Like
    edwardb,

    I haven't tried switching back to the old head lights yet. The covers are all on etc. Was hoping it would be the wiring.
    I will pick up a new relay to see if that is the problem.

    Thank you,

    John
    Finished the "My Coupe, my way" project.

    http://s956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/
    Coupe #386,17" Team III 245 FR 315 RR, 3-link, T5, 4 wheel disk, power brakes/steering. Sniper EFI
    First start Sept. 18 2013 First go kart Sept 19 2013

  5. #5
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Lake Orion, Michigan
    Posts
    10,547
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by John Dol View Post
    edwardb,

    I haven't tried switching back to the old head lights yet. The covers are all on etc. Was hoping it would be the wiring.
    I will pick up a new relay to see if that is the problem.

    Thank you,

    John
    I assume you know that VW style latching relay is a somewhat unique part that likely isn't available at your local parts store. Lots of options to buy online, with prices all over the place. But in general, not cheap. I'd hate to see you go through that based on a guess. It's a candidate to be the problem, but not a sure thing. In hindsight, would have been a good idea to electrically test before buttoning everything up. Easy to say, I know. Maybe you don't have to take everything apart. You do have Weatherpacks or something similar outside the headlight buckets? How about unplugging and then jumping to your old headlight bulbs?
    Build 1: Mk3 Roadster #5125. Sold 11/08/2014. Build 2: Mk4 Roadster #7750. Sold 04/10/2017. Build Thread
    Build 3: Mk4 Roadster 20th Anniversary #8674. Sold 09/07/2020. Build Thread and Video. Build 4: Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe #59. Gen 3 Coyote. Legal 03/04/2020. Build Thread and Video
    Build 5: 35 Hot Rod Truck #138. LS3 and 4L65E auto. Rcvd 01/05/2021. Legal 04/20/2023. Build Thread. Sold 11/9/2023.

  6. #6
    Senior Member John Dol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gorham, ME
    Posts
    1,522
    Post Thanks / Like
    Yes I do have the weather packs, and that would be the way to do it!

    Thanks for the suggestion

    John
    Finished the "My Coupe, my way" project.

    http://s956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/
    Coupe #386,17" Team III 245 FR 315 RR, 3-link, T5, 4 wheel disk, power brakes/steering. Sniper EFI
    First start Sept. 18 2013 First go kart Sept 19 2013

  7. #7
    Senior Member weendoggy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Aptos, CA
    Posts
    387
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by edwardb View Post
    I assume you know that VW style latching relay is a somewhat unique part that likely isn't available at your local parts store.
    That relay is a Standard LR35 ($21 +/-) and can be found a lot of places. I run LED headlights with this setup and don't have any problems.
    I'm just a victim of a thousand physic wars!
    www.weendoggy.com/cobra.htm

  8. #8
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Lake Orion, Michigan
    Posts
    10,547
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by weendoggy View Post
    That relay is a Standard LR35 ($21 +/-) and can be found a lot of places. I run LED headlights with this setup and don't have any problems.
    Thanks for the update/correction. Using only the VW number, I had a difficult time trying to find one locally when I needed to replace the one in my Mk3 several years ago. I see now that in addition to the Standard LR35, Borg Warner (BWD) R3018, DNI 0127, and Echlin AR284 (NAPA) all appear to be the same style latching relay. All in the $20-30-40 range.

    Agree there's no reason this relay won't work with LED's. I suggested it because John described how his headlights would flash high beams but wouldn't stay switched. This could be the relay not latching as its supposed to, which is exactly how mine failed.
    Last edited by edwardb; 07-24-2018 at 07:12 PM.
    Build 1: Mk3 Roadster #5125. Sold 11/08/2014. Build 2: Mk4 Roadster #7750. Sold 04/10/2017. Build Thread
    Build 3: Mk4 Roadster 20th Anniversary #8674. Sold 09/07/2020. Build Thread and Video. Build 4: Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe #59. Gen 3 Coyote. Legal 03/04/2020. Build Thread and Video
    Build 5: 35 Hot Rod Truck #138. LS3 and 4L65E auto. Rcvd 01/05/2021. Legal 04/20/2023. Build Thread. Sold 11/9/2023.

  9. #9
    Senior Member John Dol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gorham, ME
    Posts
    1,522
    Post Thanks / Like
    I can get the relay. If it doesn't work I can always return it.
    Now only if I had the time....
    Works got me in Mass for the foreseeable future. Only home on weekends, so not the best time to go tinkering in the garage.

    John
    Finished the "My Coupe, my way" project.

    http://s956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/
    Coupe #386,17" Team III 245 FR 315 RR, 3-link, T5, 4 wheel disk, power brakes/steering. Sniper EFI
    First start Sept. 18 2013 First go kart Sept 19 2013

  10. #10
    Senior Member John Dol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gorham, ME
    Posts
    1,522
    Post Thanks / Like
    Ordered the relay from Amazon during the week.
    Had a few spare minutes this morning and put it in. That solved the issue.
    Thanks for the help gents.
    This means I can start thinking about buttoning up the dash.

    John
    Finished the "My Coupe, my way" project.

    http://s956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/
    Coupe #386,17" Team III 245 FR 315 RR, 3-link, T5, 4 wheel disk, power brakes/steering. Sniper EFI
    First start Sept. 18 2013 First go kart Sept 19 2013

  11. #11
    Senior Member Big Blocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Lost Wages, Nevada
    Posts
    634
    Post Thanks / Like
    What's the score now . . . BAD VW relay 100+, owners not having issues, 10.

    Glad you got it fixed easily

    Any way these numbers [ Standard LR35, Borg Warner (BWD) R3018, DNI 0127, and Echlin AR284 (NAPA) ] can be photoshopped onto the original drawing that everyone is using ?? so there is a reference besides the VW number.

    Doc
    Last edited by Big Blocker; 08-04-2018 at 06:13 PM.
    FFR3712K (MKII) in Lost Wages Nevada.
    5.0 w/tubular GT-40 EFI, E303 cam, Custom 4 into 4 headers, T5, 3-Link 3.73 rear. Full F5 tubular suspension. Drop Butt mod, Dash forward mod, custom foot box air vents, custom turn signal system. 13" PBR brakes, Fiero E-Brake mod, Flaming River 18:1 rack w/ F5 bump steer kit on Breeze bushings. 17" Chrome Cobra "R's" w/ 275 fronts and 315 rears. MKIV seats. FORD Royal Blue w/ Arctic White stripes.

  12. #12
    Senior Member John Dol's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Gorham, ME
    Posts
    1,522
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Big Blocker View Post
    What's the score now . . . BAD VW relay 100+, owners not having issues, 10
    LOL, it was an easy fix. I just put the LR35 number into Amazon and ordered it from there. Hopefully this one will last longer.

    John
    Finished the "My Coupe, my way" project.

    http://s956.photobucket.com/albums/ae46/jdcoupe1969/
    Coupe #386,17" Team III 245 FR 315 RR, 3-link, T5, 4 wheel disk, power brakes/steering. Sniper EFI
    First start Sept. 18 2013 First go kart Sept 19 2013

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

FFMetal

Visit our community sponsor