Hey,

So the other day I, as I was walking to my car and unlocked it (I have the running lights set to turn on when I unlock), I noticed that my LED running lights were dim and flickering. When I turned the car on, they brightened up and looked fine. I have two settings for the LEDs, dim and daytime (full bright). I figured I left it on dim or something. Well today I noticed that even on 'bright' the LEDs were flickering when the lights were on, but with the engine off. After a few seconds with the engine on, the lights clear up. This has happened a few times now, and it happens evenly between the left and right side so I know the lamps are not going bad, even down to the individual LEDs that are flickering the most... I don't THINK the wiring is an issue as its too reproducible with the car sitting still, and I haven't noticed any flickering when I'm driving (like if a wire was loose).

I checked the battery voltage, after a 30 minute drive, its resting at 12.77 everything off. With running lights it drops to 12.45-50. With all front lights (headlights and running), its at 12.3. When I turned everything back off, it slowly climbed back to ~12.67. I'm gonna check in an hour or so and see what the resting voltage is with and without the lights. And I"ll check again in the morning. I have noticed the running lights dimming a little more over the last few months than they used to when I start the engine. The battery is ~3 years old.

Its been cool (60's) these last few days, can cold affect LEDs?

thanks

Ash

 

Ash, I would venture to guess that it's your battery - at three years old, it's about time for a change. My factory Acura battery with a "5 Year Warranty" died after about 3 years. Our TLs are known to eat them.

 

its prob your battery.... get a yellow top

 

I have had the same issue, when the car was off i would have flickering sometimes, also for some reason when i turn on my emergency blinkers the side marker lights turn on when they are not supposed to. My battery is good but it still does it every once in a while. I just deal with it.

 

Cold doesn't do shit to LEDs, just extends their lifespan. FYI: There are very few LEDs in the TL. Sounds like your battery is on the chopping block.

 

Oh sorry I guess I forgot to mention. I have aftermarket DRL LED's. I haven't noticed a problem with the tail lights..

Ok so the mystery got stranger.. I was driving today and noticed in a reflection that the lights were dim. When I got home I checked before turning the car off, sure enough 3 of the 5 LED's on each side were dim and almost out. Cycling the lights did nothing. Turned the car off and went to get my volt meter. Turned the car back on, guess what. All the lights work perfectly, car on and off and I can't reproduce the problem. I did check the voltages. Car running battery is at ~14, power line to LED is 13.5. Car off (LED working) battery is at 12.6, power line is 12.05.

I'm gonna check it again in a bit after the car sat.. I'm confused..