lighting question

[Fuchsaudio]

A few months back, I converted most of my external lights (marker and taillights so far) to LED. I do get a random "lamp out" indication sometimes, even-though all bulbs are properly lit. I chalked it up to the LED bulbs drawing less current than the old bulbs.

Here's where it gets weird: When I shut my car off, I see my taillights and front marker lights are dimly lit. They eventually would shut-off after time.

Over the weekend my daughter got a package from my car and said "there are some lights on"...she did not drive it. She just un-locked and re-locked it. I looked out the window to see it was those markers, the map lights on the mirror and tail lights. I assumed (like in the past) they would shut off on their own. Alas, this morning I had a dead battery today. I got it jumped and am getting the battery charged around the corner while at work.

Question is, what is causing this ? Is it a feature I can shut off ? Does it require a repair of some kind ? I know someone here said the 2003 had some kind of "valet lighting" but it seems to be the root of my problem. I know the car has some kind of battery shut-off if lights are left on etc. I used to use the timed lights, but now I turn them on and off with the switch, assuming that might have been my problem...

The battery is basically less then a year old and checked out fine. Cold and confused in NJ :(.

[edward301]

I believe it is related to led,s drawing so little current, the resistors in the bulb out circuit are allowing the led,s to stay lit some. Also the light left on timer uses resistors to monitor if any lights are left on, these led,s are most likely confusing this timer.

[007Cruiser]

Go back to the original bulbs?

[Fuchsaudio]

Go back to the original bulbs?

Yeah, that's been suggested, as has a "resistor kit" from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4V9ECY...HoxPYmN_SDlaJQ

but going back to real light bulbs might be the eventual answer...

[HKS]

Andy,

Did you replace all lights in one day or did you change a few to LEDs each day?

It would be nice to see (which day) when the problem showed up.

There are old threads on TBN about this, and one person installed resistors to draw more current so the electrical system would not report "Bulb Out".

Of course adding load resistors would run the battery down more (?catch 22).
I guess all modules might stay on full power if they see a bulb out symptom. How to make all modules go back to sleep mode?

I know it is a lot of work to change a few bulbs back to normal until you solve the mystery.

Hermann

[Fuchsaudio]

I did all marker and both tail lights. Back to normal bulbs, no issues since... weird.

[steelblue5505]

Now begin by just installing the front marker lights & leave it alone for a couple of day's & night's driving to see what happens if anything.

And of course next would be the rear marker lights. Reason for this, fronts use the FEM rear use the REM along with the tail lights.

Give it a try nothing to loose.

[Fuchsaudio]

Now begin by just installing the front marker lights & leave it alone for a couple of day's & night's driving to see what happens if anything.

And of course next would be the rear marker lights. Reason for this, fronts use the FEM rear use the REM along with the tail lights.

Give it a try nothing to loose.

If it wasn’t 22 degrees and about to snow, I might

[steelblue5505]

Sorry about the weather, didn't realize you were in the snow storm that is covering the East

[Tbear]

I have led tail lights and side marker lights in one car and led parking lights in another car. Both of them glow after the lights are turned off. No battery issues with either car. I installed them several years ago. In my new to me 02 I installed led backup lights, just as I have done in the other cars. They are off when they are supposed to be. Much better than factory in my opinion. The led lights that are behind colored lenses do not improve anything in my opinion.

[Sierra977]

Residual current in stereo amplifier back-feeding the light circuit. Not a problem. Could add a drain resistor but that's a parasitic load. Why bother?