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Led bulbs and remote start problem


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craigpv2d 
Member - Posts: 3
Member spacespace
Joined: December 22, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: December 22, 2005 at 2:39 PM / IP Logged  
I've got a remote start problem after installing led bulbs. I've got a 96 Ford Aerostar XLT 4.0L with trailer tow package. My alarm/remote start is a FM two-way Panther unit which is the same as a Commando FM-5005 Combo unit. The unit was working fine in all modes for over 2 years. I then installed an electronic flasher and Led bulbs in the rear tail lights and CHMSS. After that the remote start wouldn't work. It would start normally with the key. Lights would flash, horn would chirp, accesories came on, and relays clicked. After a few seconds the remote start "OFF tone" would sound on the remote, as if I had turned off the remote start myself. Also when started an driven normally the RABS light would come on at first and could be extinguished by activating either turn signal. Naturally I suspected the new bulbs.
After troubleshooting the bulbs I noticed that the CHMSS bulbs came on dimly when it was trying to start. They also were on dimly when the parking lights were on. When the brake pedal was pressed they would go to full brightness. So next I disconnected the GREEN / WHITE wire from the brake switch to the alarm. Voila! Now it worked! For some reason the bulbs were drawing about 5 volts, thus disabling the remote start feature.
What would cause the CHMSS to come on with the parking lights? Could I have them in backward, (reverse polarity)? The dual element 3157 led bulbs in the tail lights are all indentical, and work in either installed position.
I'm going to swap out the old lamps one by one to try to narrow down the problem. Any suggestions would help.
craigpv2d 
Member - Posts: 3
Member spacespace
Joined: December 22, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: December 23, 2005 at 3:50 PM / IP Logged  
Well I pulled out all the led lamps, checked with a multimeter and found I have about 8volts at the bulb sockets when the brakes are NOT applied! Seems the Powertrain control module or cruise control or RABS uses the standard bulbs as a ground. When the brakes are applied the signal goes positive and tells the computers that the brakes are on. I'll try some sort of relay setup instead of putting load resitors on all the bulbs.
craigpv2d 
Member - Posts: 3
Member spacespace
Joined: December 22, 2005
Location: United States
Posted: December 23, 2005 at 6:40 PM / IP Logged  
For the time being I just left in my 2X6watt #168 bulbs in the high mounted brake light. This seems to satisfy the RABS and Cruise control functions and the PCM. It seems the PCM uses the normal bulbs as a ground path for a PCM pin #92 low voltage signal. With all the bulbs out and the key in the run position I measured about 8 volts. This was enough to cause my LED bulbs in the high mounted stop light to come on partially. It also disabled the RABS, cruise control, and gave my tranny fits. When the brakes are applied the PCM sees a 12v signal, and it unlocks the TCC, etc. I was able to use the "Tower 20 Flux 3157 LED" bulbs in the rear brake lights. I might experiment with a resistor in parallel with the leds in the high mounted brake light. 12 ohm, 20watt resistor maybe. But I'll leave it for now.

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