Installing LED headlights is an excellent investment, but certain conditions can hinder their quality. The most common LED headlight conversion problems boil down to inconsistent light output. From flickering and fading to not powering up at all, these common problems typically relate back to one issue.
LEDs operate by accessing a vehicle’s stock power supply and converting it into useable energy. Unfortunately, this form of power conversion works better with some cars and trucks than others, leading to varying results. The quick guide below will help you use LEDs to their full potential.
Securing Connections
A frequent source of common LED headlight conversion problems is loose connections. Luckily, solving this issue is very easy. Whenever you run into issues like flickering, check the connectors between the vehicle and your LED.
Whether it’s the fuse, grounds, or other connectors, these problems will all result in inconsistent LED quality. Safely securing a loose connection is typically sufficient, but if you’re still experiencing an issue, you should look at your driver or adapter.
Checking Drivers or Adapters
More often than not, LED’s come with a driver or adapter. You might also see drivers go by the name “ballast.” The purpose of drivers and adapters is to assist with the LED’s power conversion, though it doesn’t always do that. If you’re experiencing LED output issues, make sure yours have a driver or adapter. In some cases, LEDs that have a driver or adapter might still encounter problems. For situations like this, seek out a high-quality anti-flicker device.
If you’re missing a driver or adapter entirely, you’ll need to find and install one that aligns with your car or truck’s power supply. Installing an adapter that isn’t intended for your vehicle certainly isn’t going to solve your problems. For instance, Ford Raptor lights are great LED units, but they’re not going to work with every single automobile on the market.
DRL Interference
DRL stands for “Day Running Lights,” a light source that you’ll find in many automobiles on the road. The presence of DRLs can result in LEDs not receiving the amount of power they require to function. If power distribution is your problem, the solution is to find a device that will help you provide both DRLs and LEDs with enough power. Seek out either a decoder or a wiring harness. Installing either of these devices will help you get LEDs back up and running.