LED Brake Bulbs Not Working?

Sarge1992 · December 22nd, 2015, 05:42 PM

So I have done the extra brake lights mod using the 2 side pods, and put 2357 in the center and 2397 in the outers. Since then when I hit the brakes the headlight dims for a second. I had ordered some LED brake bulbs to put in all of them and upon getting them today, for whatever reason the bulbs only work when put in the wrong way. The bulbs I got are supposed to be 1157 LED replacements. Anyone run into this before? Are these bulbs probably just junk?

Also, anyone have experience with these? Seems like a good idea since I was wanting to get a modulator but not sure if they'll melt the lenses in the pods. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kuryakyn-Sup...5WT~Rl&vxp=mtr

Ghostt · December 22nd, 2015, 06:59 PM

Double check your wiring, assuming the LEDs are in proper working order, they are a plug-n-play item. LEDs are polarity sensitive.

Sarge1992 · December 22nd, 2015, 10:33 PM

I know the wiring is good, I did it identically to the ninjawiki writeup. The bulbs I have in it work fine, and I used the Dorman 3 wire sockets which have 1 white wire (ground) and the 2 black wires which are the power wires. It also doesn't work in the center light which is factory wired.

verboten1 · December 23rd, 2015, 12:01 AM

So, if you put the lamp in backwards, and it works, to me, It means your wiring is backwards.

A LED is a diode. A Light Emitting Diode. It passes current in one direction, which means it only lights up one way.

Sarge1992 · December 23rd, 2015, 04:57 AM

But how can my factory wiring be backwards? I even double checked it with the wiring diagram. Black is ground, blue is brake, and red is taillight.

Ghostt · December 23rd, 2015, 06:14 AM

Verify with a multi-meter to 100% sure.

Sarge1992 · December 23rd, 2015, 05:21 PM

I have verified that they are not reversed. I may try to find another one at a local parts store, I'm suspecting the bulbs might've been manufactured incorrectly.

Sarge1992 · January 1st, 2016, 07:56 AM

So an update, one of the extra pod sockets I installed was actually manufactured wrong. All 3 LED's are working now.

Ghostt · January 1st, 2016, 08:07 AM

Good deal

SLOWn60 · January 1st, 2016, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarge1992

So an update, one of the extra pod sockets I installed was actually manufactured wrong. All 3 LED's are working now.

Nu2Street · January 3rd, 2016, 12:17 AM

I am thinking of doing the same thing with my 06 250, but using the 2357, 2397 bulbs not led. Are you still having an issue with your headlight dimming or was that caused by the bad socket?

Sarge1992 · January 3rd, 2016, 09:33 AM

My headlight doesn't dim anymore, but LED's use far less power than regular bulbs. I suspect the dimming was most likely due to the extra power needed to light the 2 extra bulbs. LED's are pretty cheap, I got 4 on Ebay for about $12. Also regular bulbs have a split second of lag before they light up, LED is instantaneous. That split second could save your life.

Nu2Street · January 3rd, 2016, 10:50 AM

Can you post or p.m. me which led's you got that are working? I have seen them in W. Mart, but don't know anything about the quality and the price you got yours for is much better. Thanks. Karl

choneofakind · January 3rd, 2016, 12:30 PM

FWIW: Philips Vision LED bulbs are getting really good reviews and are one of the only legal and tested LED bulbs on the market.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-1157-V...s=philips+1157

They actually fill out a lens by directing their light into the reflector in a way that mimics a typical incandescent bulb. They come in all shapes and sizes and colors. They're a stock replacement, so don't expect BRIGHTER, but do expect fully filled lens and proper lighting distribution. You can stick a 5W LED back there but if it's not spreading light properly, it won't be any better than a dim 1157. I'm going to be doing some LED swapping for my car and these are what I'm planning on for the 7443 brake lights and 7440 turn signals. Heck, I may even throw a modulator in there and flash the turn signals with my brake light and use a "tail as turn" module from Diode Dynamics so it still works as a turn signal as well.

Personally, I just use a traditional 2357 in the 1157 socket. Same running filament, brighter brake filament. The result is a brake light that is actually brighter AND has more contrast from the running light AND fills the lens properly AND is cheap. Uses more power to do so, so it defeats the purpose of not dimming the headlight, but it's a great option for the center brake light. I have turn signals in my outer pods, so I need to make the best I can of a single tail light. YMMV

Sarge1992 · January 3rd, 2016, 08:12 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181821759037...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

These fill out the entire lense, and to me seem a bit brighter than the standard bulbs. They reflect in all directions so theres no need to worry about if it hits the reflectors, because they will.

Bit of warning, shipping was slower than hell so maybe find another seller with the same bulbs. Took almost 2 weeks to get to my door.

choneofakind · January 3rd, 2016, 08:42 PM

^absolutely disagree on the filling the lens and not needing to use the reflector part. But I'm glad they work for you.

Sarge1992 · January 3rd, 2016, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

^absolutely disagree on the filling the lens and not needing to use the reflector part. But I'm glad they work for you.

I never said it doesn't need the reflectors, but it has LED's on all sides to make use of the reflectors, like a standard bulb. When I said fill the lense, I meant the light fills the lense, the actual bulb is actually smaller than a standard bulb.

choneofakind · January 3rd, 2016, 09:29 PM

I know what you meant. Same argument as halogens vs drop in hid vs proper bixenons. Doesn't matter how big of a tree that bulb is; unless the light source works as designed for the reflector, it's not going to be the same.

I'd imagine it works well enough to get the point across with traffic, but the two biggest problems generic tree-style LED bulbs have is 1) filling the lens uniformly without killer hot spots/cold spots and 2) contrast between running light and brake light. I'm sure they're great for the additional pods that only come on with the brake light (unless you used dual filament for running light also), but for the center light, I've seen too many terrible led tree style bulbs to use them there. The Philips are the best I've found, but they're still outperformed by a 2357 incandescent.

December 22nd, 2015, 05:42 PM	#1
Sarge1992 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Tampa, FL Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Posts: 67	LED Brake Bulbs Not Working? So I have done the extra brake lights mod using the 2 side pods, and put 2357 in the center and 2397 in the outers. Since then when I hit the brakes the headlight dims for a second. I had ordered some LED brake bulbs to put in all of them and upon getting them today, for whatever reason the bulbs only work when put in the wrong way. The bulbs I got are supposed to be 1157 LED replacements. Anyone run into this before? Are these bulbs probably just junk? Also, anyone have experience with these? Seems like a good idea since I was wanting to get a modulator but not sure if they'll melt the lenses in the pods. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kuryakyn-Sup...5WT~Rl&vxp=mtr

December 22nd, 2015, 06:59 PM	#2
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Double check your wiring, assuming the LEDs are in proper working order, they are a plug-n-play item. LEDs are polarity sensitive. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

December 23rd, 2015, 12:01 AM	#4
verboten1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Monroe, MI Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): '75 CB550:.'82 XV920:.'00 KLR650:.'00 EX250:.'08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - June '15	So, if you put the lamp in backwards, and it works, to me, It means your wiring is backwards. A LED is a diode. A Light Emitting Diode. It passes current in one direction, which means it only lights up one way. __________________________________________________ '82 XV920: Soon to be tracker--'00 KLR685:adv --'04 DRZ400E--'12 Super Tenere --'13 Versys Ride more, worry less.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

December 23rd, 2015, 06:14 AM	#6
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Verify with a multi-meter to 100% sure. __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

January 1st, 2016, 07:56 AM	#8
Sarge1992 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Tampa, FL Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Posts: 67	So an update, one of the extra pod sockets I installed was actually manufactured wrong. All 3 LED's are working now.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

December 22nd, 2015, 10:33 PM	#3
Sarge1992 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Tampa, FL Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Posts: 67	I know the wiring is good, I did it identically to the ninjawiki writeup. The bulbs I have in it work fine, and I used the Dorman 3 wire sockets which have 1 white wire (ground) and the 2 black wires which are the power wires. It also doesn't work in the center light which is factory wired.

December 23rd, 2015, 04:57 AM	#5
Sarge1992 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Tampa, FL Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Posts: 67	But how can my factory wiring be backwards? I even double checked it with the wiring diagram. Black is ground, blue is brake, and red is taillight.

December 23rd, 2015, 05:21 PM	#7
Sarge1992 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Tampa, FL Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Posts: 67	I have verified that they are not reversed. I may try to find another one at a local parts store, I'm suspecting the bulbs might've been manufactured incorrectly.

January 1st, 2016, 08:07 AM	#9
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	Good deal __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

January 3rd, 2016, 12:17 AM	#11
Nu2Street ninjette.org member Name: Karl Location: Western PA Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: 85	I am thinking of doing the same thing with my 06 250, but using the 2357, 2397 bulbs not led. Are you still having an issue with your headlight dimming or was that caused by the bad socket?

January 3rd, 2016, 09:33 AM	#12
Sarge1992 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Tampa, FL Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Posts: 67	My headlight doesn't dim anymore, but LED's use far less power than regular bulbs. I suspect the dimming was most likely due to the extra power needed to light the 2 extra bulbs. LED's are pretty cheap, I got 4 on Ebay for about $12. Also regular bulbs have a split second of lag before they light up, LED is instantaneous. That split second could save your life.

January 3rd, 2016, 10:50 AM	#13
Nu2Street ninjette.org member Name: Karl Location: Western PA Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R Posts: 85	Can you post or p.m. me which led's you got that are working? I have seen them in W. Mart, but don't know anything about the quality and the price you got yours for is much better. Thanks. Karl

January 3rd, 2016, 12:30 PM	#14
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	FWIW: Philips Vision LED bulbs are getting really good reviews and are one of the only legal and tested LED bulbs on the market. http://www.amazon.com/Philips-1157-V...s=philips+1157 They actually fill out a lens by directing their light into the reflector in a way that mimics a typical incandescent bulb. They come in all shapes and sizes and colors. They're a stock replacement, so don't expect BRIGHTER, but do expect fully filled lens and proper lighting distribution. You can stick a 5W LED back there but if it's not spreading light properly, it won't be any better than a dim 1157. I'm going to be doing some LED swapping for my car and these are what I'm planning on for the 7443 brake lights and 7440 turn signals. Heck, I may even throw a modulator in there and flash the turn signals with my brake light and use a "tail as turn" module from Diode Dynamics so it still works as a turn signal as well. Personally, I just use a traditional 2357 in the 1157 socket. Same running filament, brighter brake filament. The result is a brake light that is actually brighter AND has more contrast from the running light AND fills the lens properly AND is cheap. Uses more power to do so, so it defeats the purpose of not dimming the headlight, but it's a great option for the center brake light. I have turn signals in my outer pods, so I need to make the best I can of a single tail light. YMMV

January 3rd, 2016, 08:12 PM	#15
Sarge1992 ninjette.org member Name: Ryan Location: Tampa, FL Join Date: Dec 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 650R Posts: 67	http://www.ebay.com/itm/181821759037...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT These fill out the entire lense, and to me seem a bit brighter than the standard bulbs. They reflect in all directions so theres no need to worry about if it hits the reflectors, because they will. Bit of warning, shipping was slower than hell so maybe find another seller with the same bulbs. Took almost 2 weeks to get to my door.

January 3rd, 2016, 08:42 PM	#16
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	^absolutely disagree on the filling the lens and not needing to use the reflector part. But I'm glad they work for you.

January 3rd, 2016, 09:29 PM	#18
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	I know what you meant. Same argument as halogens vs drop in hid vs proper bixenons. Doesn't matter how big of a tree that bulb is; unless the light source works as designed for the reflector, it's not going to be the same. I'd imagine it works well enough to get the point across with traffic, but the two biggest problems generic tree-style LED bulbs have is 1) filling the lens uniformly without killer hot spots/cold spots and 2) contrast between running light and brake light. I'm sure they're great for the additional pods that only come on with the brake light (unless you used dual filament for running light also), but for the center light, I've seen too many terrible led tree style bulbs to use them there. The Philips are the best I've found, but they're still outperformed by a 2357 incandescent.

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