Need Help: HZJ77 Electrical Issue (Rear Lights)

[69 FJ40]

Hello Mud,
I am new to the 70 section and this series of Land Cruiser. Recently acquired a 77. One of the rear tail light lenses were cracked/broken so in looking to replace them I sourced some DEPO LED lights. Now I am running into a issue with them and I am stumped. I am not super comfortable with electrical issues, but this looked like a plug and play solution. Here is the issue:

When I use either indicator (L/R) both tail/break lights (LED portion) flashes, like an indicator.
- I didn't have this issue prior with the incandescent lights
- It doesn't happen when I turn the parking/headlights on
- If I leave one side incandescent and the other LED, it doesn't happen either

Here is what I have checked
-All socket seems fine
-Harness seems fine (no damaged or lose wires)
-Bulbs seem fine

I haven't been able to locate the ground, which I have researched could be the issue, but it isn't a issue with the old lights. I don't have access to a wiring diagram. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you

 

[jblueridge]

All I can say is that LED lights use very little power, so little that the indicator/blinker relay or capacitor or whatever can sometimes do strange things like not activating the LED's at all or blinking super fast.

Sometimes resistors solve the problems, increasing the amount of power in the wires. Less energy saved but LED longevity is better than old filament bulbs.

https://www.amazon.com/Resistors-Signal-License-Warning-Cancellor/dp/B004EDF8HY?tag=ihco-20

 

[69 FJ40]

All I can say is that LED lights use very little power, so little that the indicator/blinker relay or capacitor or whatever can sometimes do strange things like not activating the LED's at all or blinking super fast.

Sometimes resistors solve the problems, increasing the amount of power in the wires. Less energy saved but LED longevity is better than old filament bulbs.

https://www.amazon.com/Resistors-Signal-License-Warning-Cancellor/dp/B004EDF8HY?tag=ihco-20

Thanks for the response, I've thought about this but since I don't have a hyper flash issue I wasn't sure. Would trying this hurt anything?

 

[coldtaco]

Usually when switching to led you need a turn signal relay for led. There are some mods you can do to your current relay to make them work. Google search something like Toyota led turn signal relay mod.

 

[jblueridge]

You can always add a temporary or new ground wire.
I did when I reinstalled my rebuilt starter.
I got underneath and looked for accessible bolts, one on the frame and one nearby on the body.
Removed bolts, wire brushed bolt hole periphery, then put bolt through ground strap loop and re bolted.
Best Ground Strap Parts for Cars, Trucks & SUVs

Also, check the one near the battery. Runs from negative terminal to the body and or frame. Maybe more than one there.

 

[jblueridge]

You can always add a temporary or new ground wire.
I did when I reinstalled my rebuilt starter.
I got underneath and looked for accessible bolts, one on the frame and one nearby on the body.
Removed bolts, wire brushed bolt hole periphery, then put bolt through ground strap loop and re bolted.
Best Ground Strap Parts for Cars, Trucks & SUVs

Also, check the one near the battery. Runs from negative terminal to the body and or frame. Maybe more than one there.

 

[jblueridge]

I would try the resistor thing first.
All the scenarios you described and the varied results seem to point to not enough resistance in those circuits with LEDs.

 

[69 FJ40]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll probably start with the resistors. Since I have a 24V system, am correct to assume not any off the shelf resistor will work? Anyone here used one on a 24V system?

 

[coldtaco]

do the search I said, it should work for a 24v blinker, you don't have to buy any resistors. I think it was on Pirate 4x4 forum

 

[coldtaco]

this is one way to try, it isn't the one I used on mine.
Flasher relay mod for 1st-gen pickups with LED lights free! ND# 81980-22060 - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

 

[69 FJ40]

Thank you coldtaco. I did see this, but my flasher is different since it is 24V P/N: 81980-60020 and I am not sure which resistor to cut. I may have found a replacement LED flasher. I'll report back if it works.

 

[69 FJ40]

Just want to report back, I switched all the rear bulbs with LEDs and replaced the stock relay with one for LEDs and it didn't remedy my issue

 

[coldtaco]

I would guess the 24V relay and 12V relay are same/similar. open your 24V one and see if it looks the same/similar as the 12V one that was modded to work on led. Or try and get a replacement 24V one first and then try this.

 

[69 FJ40]

Here is a pic of the relay. Any chance someone can tell me what resistor needed cutting?

 

[coldtaco]

Another fix I have read about was to gradually thin the wire in the upper left, left of the tag with 3l04 writing. But you have to keep testing it every time you shave a little bit off till you get the right flashing frequency you like.

 

[coldtaco]

Yours looks a bit different from the 12v one in the post I linked to. Maybe you can find a resister with the same coloring as the one cut out in the 12v one. I can’t tell the colors in your picture. If you find one the same color bands maybe you can remove it with a soldering gun so you can reinstall it if it doesn’t work.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Is there a reason why you didn't stick with OEM replacements? Just curious.

 

[coldtaco]

Is there a reason why you didn't stick with OEM replacements? Just curious.

is there a factory replacement for LED? in 24V?

 

[Gun Runner 5]

While I have no idea if the entire tail light assembly is available in a LED format, I do know that high quality LED bulbs are available to replace the OEM bulbs. My 77 Series was converted to LED. (both interior and exterior)

 

[coldtaco]

Is there a reason why you didn't stick with OEM replacements? Just curious.

are you talking about bulbs or relays?