Community Forums

O-Joe · 07-03-2022, 05:04 PM

Hi all-
I've got a 2022 Adventurer 29B on a 2021 F53 Chassis.
The headlights were Dim when I purchased new a couple of months ago.
H9 Halogens in Hella fixtures running at 11.2V under 65W load.
So I upgraded to LEDs. Great improvement. They only need 9V.
But now I've got Gremlins. The headlight low beams work with the engine off, but when I start the engine they flick off. If I put the brights on, they work sometimes, and the brights work sometimes, but eventually within 1-2 minutes all four lights stop working.

If I turn everything off and turn off the engine, the low beams will work again. Until I start the engine and turn the High Beams on and off a number of times.

This is my first help request, I've learned and solved lots of problems in this forum. This is an incredible group.

What I know:
The voltage without the engine running at the bulb is 12.9V
The voltage with the engine running at the bulb is 13.6V.

I installed the new LEDs about 1,000 miles ago. And I did a 5 hour night drive with no problems. I'm in California heading to Alaska and so I have a lot of driving planned. (~10k miles in the next 3 months) I have a long boring video of the lights in action if that helps. (assuming I could upload it)

Any ideas?
Thanks
Ocotillo Joe

SuperGewl · 07-03-2022, 09:04 PM

l would check for a floating ground. It sounds like something is loose. There is also another thing to check and that is the starter key switch. Ford did have issues with them awhile back. Also check the fuse for the headlights, pull them out and actually replace them. They maybe opening up after they heat up. You can also try hooking disconnecting one headlight at a time then start the engine and see what happens.

Bobby Dowdle · 07-03-2022, 09:45 PM

You have a can bus system. You need to install the resistors that came with the bulbs. If they didn’t come with any you need to order some or another set of bulbs.

O-Joe · 07-03-2022, 10:59 PM

Thanks SuperGewl for the ideas. I ended up swapping the LEDs back to Halogen. Problem seems to have gone away. I would have thought 5 hours of night driving would have proven the LEDs were compatible. Guess not.

O-Joe · 07-03-2022, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Dowdle

You have a can bus system. You need to install the resistors that came with the bulbs. If they didn’t come with any you need to order some or another set of bulbs.

Swapping back to halogens so far has apparently fixed it. We’ll see tomorrow. I’ll be doing 300 miles. I’ll run with the lights on.

I’ll order a resistor set and try the LEDs again.

I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks again.

O-Joe · 12-14-2022, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Dowdle

You have a can bus system. You need to install the resistors that came with the bulbs. If they didn’t come with any you need to order some or another set of bulbs.

Bobby-
I did finally got some resolution. I tried some Resistor packs, they didn’t work. Contacted the EBay seller of the packs. He recommended a version with capacitor and additional circuitry. Installed those and I’ve now got over 500 miles on these. Still working. The headlights are now amazing with the LED bulbs.
Can I post the Amazon link for bulbs and the EBay link for resistor/capacitor packs on this forum? I’m not affiliated with them. I’m just a very happy camper. I’ll report back if these give any trouble.

Ray,IN · 12-20-2022, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-Joe

Bobby-
I did finally got some resolution. I tried some Resistor packs, they didn’t work. Contacted the EBay seller of the packs. He recommended a version with capacitor and additional circuitry. Installed those and I’ve now got over 500 miles on these. Still working. The headlights are now amazing with the LED bulbs.
Can I post the Amazon link for bulbs and the EBay link for resistor/capacitor packs on this forum? I’m not affiliated with them. I’m just a very happy camper. I’ll report back if these give any trouble.

Post the links, it's done all the time.

O-Joe · 01-30-2023, 02:33 AM

The headlight bulbs are from Amazon. Very bright and fit well.
“Fahren Krieges H11/H9/H8 LED Headlight Bulbs, 120W 20000LM 600% Brighter LED Headlights Conversion Kit 6500K Cool White IP68 Waterproof Halogen Bulb Replacement Plug and Play”

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09JF...b_b_asin_title

The key component is the EBay Resistor/Capacitor module that keeps the F53 electronics happy, and avoids the flicker/shutdown issues. “H11 H9 H8 LED Headlight Bulb Anti Flicker Resistor Error Free Capacitor Canbus”

https://www.ebay.com/itm/322326559854

I tried with no module and with a cheaper version before I found this one. Those worked a little while then shut off. This one has been rock solid for over 1k miles and lots of trips.