Technostalgia Taillights, who has fixed this before or knows what causes it?

[TommyTheCat]

Ok so everyone knows these lights are beautiful, and everyone knows these lights are the worst P.O.S. out there. Customer service? Doesn't exist. Warranty? Gotta change your lights

but I love them so I'm dealing with it. Right now the problem I'm having is that the left turn signals aren't working properly for the sequential function. The right side flashes inner, outer... inner outer. The left side is flashing both inner and outer at the same time (the LEDs are still sequential)
I can upload a video later to show. I tried switching the resistor or ballast or whatever it's called and that didn't change anything so I don't think that's the problem, so I'm guessing it must be the little module inside with the switches on it for rapid fire brake/sequential turn signal. It seems to me that the outer left tail light is the problem, going off too soon instead of waiting like the right outer light does. Could be the inner left going off too soon as well I suppose, but it doesn't seem like it.

Has anyone had this problem before? And if so what was the fix? If that's what's bad I can swap it out with my extra set of lights I bought for parts.

[bwk1971]

I feel your pain. I experienced the flickering of two of the lights when I first installed them. As of last night, half of the inner passenger light stopped lighting altogether and it wouldn't run the sequential pattern when the signal was on. Then, all the lights would run a sequential pattern randomly with the hazards on (I turned the rapid fire setting off so this shouldn't happen and only happens randomly). I checked the wires to make sure all was connected correctly and I discovered that the resistors (or whatever they are) were extremely hot. I'm not sure that that is normal. I took pics and video and I am waiting to hear back from them about what I should do next. I'm guessing the factory taillights will be reinstalled soon. Too bad, because as you said, I love these lights when they are working.

[TommyTheCat]

Yep I've had LEDs go out and lots of condensation issues that I've fixed, but this one is new.

And my resistors (or whatever) have always gotten hot when the lights are in use so I figure that's normal, so I assumed it may have burned out but after replacing it the problem was the same.

I've left messages for them to call me back every day for a week or two now. Terrible service, hope nobody buys from them again.

[bwk1971]

Half working:



http://youtu.be/7gxBMJ-f-D8

Random sequencing while hazards are on:

https://youtu.be/FMmo66TCfS4

Inner passenger light not sequencing:

https://youtu.be/Nw11WXpOvOU

[TommyTheCat]

well I'm going to leave it disconnected for the reset procedure. I tested it with two other resistors just to be double sure (knew I was wasting my time)
Finally got a hold of someone and they said that resetting them may help, but my guess is that I'll have to replace the little module inside the outer left light. I took a video and I'll upload it later

[bwk1971]

Originally Posted by TommyTheCat

well I'm going to leave it disconnected for the reset procedure. I tested it with two other resistors just to be double sure (knew I was wasting my time)
Finally got a hold of someone and they said that resetting them may help, but my guess is that I'll have to replace the little module inside the outer left light. I took a video and I'll upload it later

Interesting. This is the first that I have heard of a reset procedure. It makes sense though because when mine are acting up, I simply turn the car off and wait a few minutes and then they work fine until the next time. I hope they work out the issues because I'd hate to return to factory lights.

[whidobie]

After 3 + yrs I had my first issue that the error light came on the panel that the right rear bulb was out. I contacted Todd via email who responded and stated that it was the resistor. Within days i recvd a new resistor and that fixed the problem. Again after 3+ yrs this was the first issue and fixed very quickly at a minimal expense.

[TommyTheCat]

also wanted to make sure my brakes and hazards were working so it's longer than it needed to be but here's the video. at the very end you can see all the lights except the outer right side go at the same time, which is why I think it's gotta be the outer left and not the inner left causing the problem.

Originally Posted by bwk1971

Interesting. This is the first that I have heard of a reset procedure. It makes sense though because when mine are acting up, I simply turn the car off and wait a few minutes and then they work fine until the next time. I hope they work out the issues because I'd hate to return to factory lights.

He says to simply disconnect the pink wire going to battery power for a while and it should reset everything. But I don't think it'll help considering that leaving the light itself disconnected for a few hours changed nothing.

Originally Posted by whidobie

After 3 + yrs I had my first issue that the error light came on the panel that the right rear bulb was out. I contacted Todd via email who responded and stated that it was the resistor. Within days i recvd a new resistor and that fixed the problem. Again after 3+ yrs this was the first issue and fixed very quickly at a minimal expense.

I changed the resistor twice with good ones and it didn't fix it. the resistor itself is $20

[TommyTheCat]

I left it disconnected again for a few hours, longer than last time, and it hasn't messed up since.

If it does again I'm assuming the computer/module inside the light will be to blame...

[TommyTheCat]

Well the problems back... and disconnecting it for about 18 hours did nothing to fix it this time so I'm guessing the computer inside the light is out.
Living with it until I have a chance to open it up and swap it with my other one that works

[bwk1971]

Update on my situation. I sent Todd five emails before he finally responded. He apologized and asked if he could call me. I responded that he could certainly call me and I provided him with my number. To date, he has not called. Further, he is once again not responding to my emails. Annoying to say the least.

[MGD]

Did you checked the DIP switches inside the lights? they're for Rapid Brake Light and Sequential Turn Signal. I'll bet the one with the problem has the switch set incorrectly. Make sure they are all at the same position.