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Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=19230		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  ccrunner [ January 12, 2018, 11:56 am ]
Post subject:  Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
I'm having an odd issue with my aftermarket LED check engine light flickering when not truly lit (on)..

I'm running a late model (2009 Ecotec 2.0) GM turbo engine/ECM, and the stock in-dash CEL calls for an "L37" standard bulb.. in my case, since I'm not running the donor car's dash, I've just wired in a small LED bulb as my CEL, but it does this odd flicker thing I'd like to resolve..

What is known: The ground to the bulb is good / The LED CEL comes on solid when it should (when I throw a code it lights up super bright and stays on solid red)-it seems to be functioning perfectly for it's purpose / The "flicker/pulse" is very dim- it's actually hard to see unless you're looking for it (this flicker is NOT the CEL trying to flash as if there's a problem... this flicker is almost like ghost voltage :leave: ) / The flicker is very steady at about 6 or 7 pulses a second, and it does not matter what the engine rpms are, it stays steady / battery-alternator-charging system seem to be working perfectly-battery lugs are tight / the LED CEL bulb will not flicker until I start the car (does not flicker with key 'on' or 'acc' without the motor running)... also for what it's worth, I'm running the same type/size LED as my car's 'charging idiot light,' and I'm not getting this odd flicker through it..

So it seems I've wired in an LED where a standard bulb wants to be; surely I can't be the first person to get this odd flicker.. My guess is I need to trick the LED into proper function with an inline resistor(?) or dummy load(?).. what I don't understand about electrical theory could fill a library, so I'm obviously out of my depth .. I've Googled a bit on this, and keep tripping up on the proper functioning/flashing of a CEL, not the errant malfunctioning of an LED..

Any thoughts on how to make this LED stop this annoying behavior?

thanks-

--ccrunner
Author:  JPS Europa [ January 12, 2018, 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
OBD2 checks to make sure the "check engine light" bulb is good. This is probably where the power is coming from. Should not be hard to work up a circuit to run most of the voltage around the LED. You want to keep the voltage on the LED below its forward voltage when you want it off. You need low enough resistance in the circuit to keep the ECU from throwing a fault code for a blown or missing bulb.
Author:  rx7locost [ January 12, 2018, 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
The first thing that I would suggest is try adding a 1N4001 diode (or some other general purpose 25V or more diode. Even a 1N4148 should work.) in series with the LED and see what happens. It will require another 0.7V before the LED starts to light up. Low voltage spikes will have a tougher time activating the LED.

If this doesn't work, an LC should work too. But I think the diode fix will work.
Author:  JPS Europa [ January 12, 2018, 12:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
Series diode was my first thought too. I dont know what his inspection situation is, but if they dont check OBD2 port that will work almost for sure. If they do check, it will fail for missing check engine light bulb.
Author:  rx7locost [ January 12, 2018, 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
So what happens if the CEL bulb is out? How will it notify you the bulb is out? Inquiring minds want to know. :roll:
Author:  ccrunner [ January 12, 2018, 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
rx7locost wrote:
The first thing that I would suggest is try adding a 1N4001 diode (or some other general purpose 25V or more diode. Even a 1N4148 should work.) in series with the LED and see what happens. It will require another 0.7V before the LED starts to light up. Low voltage spikes will have a tougher time activating the LED.

If this doesn't work, an LC should work too. But I think the diode fix will work.

Thanks for the replies guys.. I didn't think to include that this car (1963 Volvo 1800S) is California smog except as it's older than 1975 -no smog checks on this car ever.. I just need the CEL to work properly to alert me to trouble, and stop winking at me when there's no issue.. I can try the suggestion "...adding a 1N4001 diode (or some other general purpose 25V or more diode. Even a 1N4148 should work..." for sure, but if that doesn't kill the flicker, Rx7, what is an "LC?"

**also, remembering that I don't know doo doo about the black magic of electricity :roll: , the 1N4001 goes inline on the positive lead to the LED(?), with the cathode end toward the LED(?)

--ccrunner
Author:  300D50 [ January 12, 2018, 2:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
I'd try a 1K resistor and a .1uf cap in parallel with the LED.
Author:  JPS Europa [ January 12, 2018, 3:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
rx7locost wrote:
So what happens if the CEL bulb is out? How will it notify you the bulb is out? Inquiring minds want to know. :roll:

If you interrogate the OBD2 port the code shows up. Is really only an inspection thing, but it will cause a "fail" if your state (like where I live) requires that it be working.
Author:  rx7locost [ January 12, 2018, 4:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
ccrunner wrote:
rx7locost wrote:
The first thing that I would suggest is try adding a 1N4001 diode (or some other general purpose 25V or more diode. Even a 1N4148 should work.) in series with the LED and see what happens. It will require another 0.7V before the LED starts to light up. Low voltage spikes will have a tougher time activating the LED.

If this doesn't work, an LC should work too. But I think the diode fix will work.

Thanks for the replies guys.. I didn't think to include that this car (1963 Volvo 1800S) is California smog except as it's older than 1975 -no smog checks on this car ever.. I just need the CEL to work properly to alert me to trouble, and stop winking at me when there's no issue.. I can try the suggestion "...adding a 1N4001 diode (or some other general purpose 25V or more diode. Even a 1N4148 should work..." for sure, but if that doesn't kill the flicker, Rx7, what is an "LC?"

**also, remembering that I don't know doo doo about the black magic of electricity :roll: , the 1N4001 goes inline on the positive lead to the LED(?), with the cathode end toward the LED(?)

--ccrunner




Yes, the diode goes in the Positive lead with the cathode end (band) toward the LED. You can't do it wrong and hurt anything. If you have the diode in backwards. If it is in backwards, the CEL will not work at all, even when it should. Just reverse the diode.

If that improves, but doesn't fix it, you could try 2 diodes in series.

LC is inductor (L) and Capacitor (C).

300D50's answer might work but will reduce the brightness of the LED, possibly noticeably. An LED requires a current limiting resistor which may be within the LED housing. It may be a separate resistor. Depending on the LED style you have, you might be able to add a cap simply across the actual LED and use its current limiting resistor as 300D50's 1K resistor. We can go there if necessary.
Author:  ccrunner [ February 5, 2018, 11:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
Ok guys-- had a chance to try the IN4001 diode and it had no effect.. tried linking 2 and no change- still had the flicker.. got silly and linked all 5 I had together and still no effect :lol:

So onto the next thing, which I guess is the "1K resistor and .1uf cap"... (?).. I'll give that a try, but can you draw/explain how do do this one? Again, electricity hates me.. best to get these bits online? Radio Shack?

**Just to further complicate things, on the way to work today I stomped on the gas hard (weee!), chirped a few gears (weeeeeee!), and promptly tripped a "P0650" code (translates to 'an issue with the MIL circuit')-- I've tripped a lot of codes on this project, but never this one.. If it's helpful, the OEM MIL circuit wants an "L37" bulb, and I'm trying to wire in a tiny LED in it's place.. maybe I should consider just wiring in a stock type bulb? I'd love to run the LED for looks, but I'm open to suggestions..

thanks :cheers:

--ccrunner
Author:  300D50 [ February 5, 2018, 11:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
Here's the quick and dirty:
Attachment:
LED_capacitor_resistor.png


Some tweaking may be in order, such as putting the resistor in series with the cap instead.
Author:  ccrunner [ February 5, 2018, 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
300D50 wrote:
Here's the quick and dirty:
Attachment:
LED_capacitor_resistor.png


Some tweaking may be in order, such as putting the resistor in series with the cap instead.


Walt- please know that I appreciate your help- truly, but to me this is like high school algebra, your drawing is the likes of which almost kept me from getting through school, and sadly, I'm no better at such things all these years later :( .. In short, I don't understand, at all. I don't mind that other may point and giggle at my sorry electrical ignorance :lol: , but if you could dumb it (way) down for me it would be so appreciated :D

You are a saint for trying to lead this blind man down this path :cheers:

-ccrunner
Author:  300D50 [ February 5, 2018, 1:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
Sure can!

I'll get some stock photos of the stuff and do some MS-Paint wizardry.

EDIT:

Here we go.

Attachment:
Component_diagram.png


The resistor can go either way round without issue, but the markings on the capacitor for ground should be heeded.
Author:  ccrunner [ February 5, 2018, 2:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
Ok Walt.. I think I'm following you now... I've drawn my own little pic for clarification... should I install these bits on my LEDs red wire (batt), or black wire (ECM), and which 'direction' should these pieces face?

-finally, there was some talk that this might dim the LED when lit(?).. any thoughts on that possiblility, or what bits to sub in should that be the case?

Thank you :wink:

--ccrunner
Author:  FieroReinke [ February 5, 2018, 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ideas on how to eliminate my aftermarket LED flicker?
I had a similar issue with my LED CEL with my 96 miata ECU. To turn on the CEL the miata ecu grounds the signal. So instead of wiring the led to the miata ecu, I wired a relay in. The ECU grounds the relay and the relay is powering the LED. problem solved. In my case, I made sure to use have a very small fuse in line as the ECU does not like high amps. I think this one has either a 1 or 3 amp fuse. I dont have my wiring diagrams with me right now.

I have not had any problems with the ecu "checking" for a bulb.
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