Tail light issue/not an issue

[Clancaster23]

I have had these tail lights on my Gladiator for over a year and a half with no issues: Amazon.com: WOLFSTORM Smoked LED Tail Lights for 2019-2023 Jeep Gladiator JT Accessories,DRL and Sequential Turn Signal Light Design, Plug & Play Taillights, 30W Reverse Light/Brake Lamp,1 Pair : Automotive

Within the past couple weeks I have been getting the hyperflash if I use it for more than a few seconds when using the left turn signal and I'll get the warning on the dash that the left turn signal is out. The right one gives no issues. So I look and see what the issue could be and they appear to be working fine even when the dash signal is hyperflashing. I just put the stock light in just to see if it still had the issue but that did not cause a dash light or the hyperflash. Worked just fine. Anyone have a clue on what the issue could be? Considering they appear to be working fine, I'm going to use them til one dies but it's just annoying. Also, not sure if it matters but my third brake light appears to be not working. I don't think that could be the issue considering the stock tail light works normally but thought I'd mention it. Mines a '21. I didn't think an led light would die that fast. Don't suppose there's any kind of recall or something on them? I'm already past the factory warranty mileage and age.

Sponsored

 

[swtrailboss]

Thinking you have some kind of unwanted resistance level that has peaked past the factory threshold in the aftermarket lamp assembly. The vehicle determines if the resistance exceeds the threshold (bulb out or inop) then will indicate issues existing within the system

 

[NY JT]

I have had these tail lights on my Gladiator for over a year and a half with no issues: Amazon.com: WOLFSTORM Smoked LED Tail Lights for 2019-2023 Jeep Gladiator JT Accessories,DRL and Sequential Turn Signal Light Design, Plug & Play Taillights, 30W Reverse Light/Brake Lamp,1 Pair : Automotive

Within the past couple weeks I have been getting the hyperflash if I use it for more than a few seconds when using the left turn signal and I'll get the warning on the dash that the left turn signal is out. The right one gives no issues. So I look and see what the issue could be and they appear to be working fine even when the dash signal is hyperflashing. I just put the stock light in just to see if it still had the issue but that did not cause a dash light or the hyperflash. Worked just fine. Anyone have a clue on what the issue could be? Considering they appear to be working fine, I'm going to use them til one dies but it's just annoying. Also, not sure if it matters but my third brake light appears to be not working. I don't think that could be the issue considering the stock tail light works normally but thought I'd mention it. Mines a '21. I didn't think an led light would die that fast. Don't suppose there's any kind of recall or something on them? I'm already past the factory warranty mileage and age.

Did the lights have a resistor attached? That may have bit the dust. Did you refresh the jeep for LED Taillights? The Jeep may still think it has Halogen's and the different draw may be causing the problem. It's most likely that specific light, since you don't have an issue with the other light.

 

[Clancaster23]

No, they do not have the attached resistor. Did not do a refresh for LEDs. I also have LED headlights, fog lights and fender lights which including the tails were all put on around the same time and up until now (about a year and a half) have worked just fine. I am also thinking it's just this specific light since the others are working fine. I think I'll be looking into getting a new set here soon.

 

[Deleted member 52902]

My guess is that Wolfstream has their own, internal resistor in their LED taillights. If so, I would hazard a guess that the resistor isn't large enough wattage to fit inside the taillight, and eventually it gets too hot, and resistance (ohms) value has changed. Rendering the light problem you have now. This is all just a guess. While you could try adding an external 6 ohm, 50 watt (no less!) at this taillight, I would first say you need to contact Wolfstream. Don't blubber what I guessed from my comfy armchair. See what Wolfstream says first, about your issue.

Your situation just seems like the ohmic resistance has changed to a value that no longer lets that LED unit to work correctly. Someone else think this might be the case? I would not just add an external resistor as an experiment. If there is an internal resistor that is still working at its original designohmic value (assuming 6 ohms) and an additional 6 ohm resistor is added, that parallel addition would lower the ohms to around 3 ohms. That might cause other problems. Check with Wolfstream before you do anything. You indicated your taillights are older than one year so they are out of warranty according to the Wolfstream web site. Unfortunately many LED products from offshore manufacturing have limited life. This might not be the case with this company. It is hard to know.

 

[Clancaster23]

Got Jscan and enabled the LED tails. No more alarm.

 

[Joe_G]

Same exact issue here, Wolfstorm LED tail lights on a halogen equipped Gladiator. 2 years and 3 months and now my right signal just started doing the exact same thing, the light works, but Jeep gives the light out error message and loud beep. I don’t want to use JScan on the Jeep until the warranty is up…does anyone else have any ideas?

 

[Joe_G]

Ok there are resistors and the left one has 30.5 ohms and the right is open (OL). Swapped the resistors side to side and the problem followed. I emailed the company Wolfstorm to get a new resistor. I’ll post up the results.

 

[Joe_G]

Ok, problem solved. Wolfram would not sell me a replacement resistor but I picked up a 5w resistor on amazon, 4 for $8 or something like that. Installed it today and I’m good to go.

 

[terrordbn]

Ok, problem solved. Wolfram would not sell me a replacement resistor but I picked up a 5w resistor on amazon, 4 for $8 or something like that. Installed it today and I’m good to go.

What ohm rating of resistor did you get? And is 5W enough long term?

 

[Joe_G]

What ohm rating of resistor did you get? And is 5W enough long term?

Here is what I got. Working perfectly for 6 months now.

iBrightstar 50W 6ohm Load... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2QHBCC3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[terrordbn]

Here is what I got. Working perfectly for 6 months now.

iBrightstar 50W 6ohm Load... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2QHBCC3?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Got these today, but after pulling the tail lights off, what is the resistor you replaced? The black "box" screwed into the back side of the tail light and connected with a red/black two wire connector?

Any chance you would be willing to post a photo of how you connected the resistor in? (Sorry to be a pain in the butt... Appreciate the help so far!)

Thanks!
Aaron

 

[Joe_G]

Got these today, but after pulling the tail lights off, what is the resistor you replaced? The black "box" screwed into the back side of the tail light and connected with a red/black two wire connector?

Any chance you would be willing to post a photo of how you connected the resistor in? (Sorry to be a pain in the butt... Appreciate the help so far!)

Thanks!
Aaron

Yes the black box that screws on is the resistor…I took it off, cut its wires and wired the replacement resistor in, plugged the connector back in. If I recall I got one screw in and that’s been enough to hold it for a long time now. The Amazon resistor is a different size. Seems like I adjusted or zip tied it it so the resistor wasn’t on the taillight housing as it gets hot when in use, and off I went. You can’t hook it up backwards Btw.

 

[terrordbn]

Yes the black box that screws on is the resistor…I took it off, cut its wires and wired the replacement resistor in, plugged the connector back in. If I recall I got one screw in and that’s been enough to hold it for a long time now. The Amazon resistor is a different size. Seems like I adjusted or zip tied it it so the resistor wasn’t on the taillight housing as it gets hot when in use, and off I went. You can’t hook it up backwards Btw.

I did this with the new resistors with no luck. Same symptoms. I did measure and compare the black box resistor on both left and right. The problem left side was 30 ohms vs 15 ohms on the working right side. But putting the 6 ohm resistor in place of the 30 ohm resistor on the left did not seem to help the error on the dash.

Its really weird that all the functions of the tail lights work exactly as they should. I just get the error on the dash and a fast flashing indicator in the instrument cluster....

 

[Joe_G]

Huh. If you swap the resistors from side to side, that’s the problem go from side to side?

Sponsored