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Topic: No parking lights (Read 407 times) previous topic - next topic

No parking lights

With either the parking lights on or headlights (which includes parking lights), the relay under the passenger side dash panel clicks about every 10 seconds.  I haven't begun troubleshooting yet, just hoping someone sees this and knows the issue right away. 

I haven't driven much at night, so I rarely use my lights, but I think this is new.  Possible changes are a new toad (no changes to coach wiring) and I swapped taillights to LED bulbs (which I've switch back to incandescent to no avail).
Steve and Cassi
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 42'

Re: No parking lights

Reply #1 –
By "relay" I assume you mean "auto resetting circuit breaker".  Possible weak breaker?  Try replacing breaker and see what happens.  If it still trips, then you have a short circuit somewhere.

Auto Reset Circuit Breakers - Why Use Them?

See also recent thread about a different problem, and the solution that included replacing a breaker.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: No parking lights

Reply #2 –
Fixed - it was self inflicted.

When I switched to LED, I had messed with wiring to get it to work - after reading about backwards polarity, blah blah.  Well, I thought I had it squared away apparently that didn't actually fix my issue since it was tripping the breaker even with those in.  Long story short - I switched the wiring back (white wire in the middle) and am back on incandescent - all all well. 

Thanks for the help Chuck - you got me thinking about why the breakers would trip.  I removed the bulbs and the problem went away, that's when I remembered my wire hacking and undid my mistake!
Steve and Cassi
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 42'

Re: No parking lights

Reply #3 –
One of my basic rules - when a new problem pops up my first thought is: what did I screw around with last?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: No parking lights

Reply #4 –
LED bulbs require "built in resistors".
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: No parking lights

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Twig –
LED bulbs require "built in resistors".

Are you just referring to led bulbs in a turn signal (flasher) application or are you referring to LED bulbs in any application?
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: No parking lights

Reply #6 –
The lower resistance of the LED tail lights/ flasher require a different flasher unit.
All of the rest of the bus should function better with LED.

Re: No parking lights

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
The lower resistance of the LED tail lights/ flasher require a different flasher unit.
All of the rest of the bus should function better with LED.
I thought about measuring the difference in resistance between the standard bulb and the LED, then put an inline resistor in to bump it up.

Somewhere along the way I realized I wasn't that invested into the idea of LED in the first place. 😀😀
Steve and Cassi
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 42'

Re: No parking lights

Reply #8 –
I have switched over my tail, brake,rear turn and headlights to LED....  But not yet the side turn, front turn and front clearance ( cause the front clearance are a pain)    So it's a hodgepodge of a situation at the moment. 
  Thru my ignorance I haven't switched over any other hardware like blinkers, switches or relays though. Now after reading this,,  Fingers crossed !!

 Or maybe I'm just lucky that we don't have an electronic coach ??
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: No parking lights

Reply #9 –
I use LED everywhere that I can fit them. Much lower power draw. Brighter lights. 
For the coach. The LED headlights may not burn the stockck headlight switch out.
Plus. 70-90% of my travels are dark.