Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

OK so not exactly a world ending problem here but I figured I'd reach out and just see if anyone had any experience or advice. So I'm in the middle of replacing all my lighting with LED's. All my 194 bulbs will not illuminate when fully seated in the socket. I have to pull them out ever so slightly, and of course, this makes them prone to vibration, and then to potentially not light. They're brand name bulbs, but I've definitely found that in general, ya never know what you're gonna get with LEDs. Old filament bulbs always fit....always worked, until they simple burned out. LEDs are like everything else nowadays. Better, -if they workn and if they'll even fit. QC is terrible. Anyhow, I can buy 194 LEDs all day long and I can buy a bunch of new sockets and wire 'em in, but....there's no guarantee that'll fix anything. Just curious what you guys think.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

I've never had a dash bulb burn out. How many decades did it take for yours to burn out? Maybe it's a problem that doesn't need solving?

gt4373

I Still Have All My Original Dash Bulbs

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

I don't think filament bulb burn out is the issue here. He just used that as an example of how filament bulbs fit properly and work properly. So there's obviously been an industry standard for decades regarding the construction of filament bulbs, which is why there aren't the fitment issues that many LEDs have.

So the point I'm reading is... because everyone under the sun is manufacturing LEDs these days, designs are all over the board, so fitments can be hit or miss. And those fitment issues can prevent a good-working LED from functioning properly, sometimes not at all.

The biggest issue I've found with 194 LEDs is that they can be very hard to push into the sockets, because the wedge bases are very thick sometimes. Also, some have rounded "bulb" bottoms (like filament bulbs), some are just flat and have no bottom to speak of, and others have tapered bottoms, so all of that can also make their fitment iffy, too. Sort of reflects life lol.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

Sentence should have ended right there.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

And I almost did.

So I've made it all better for you.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

LOL, I need a direct line to Qwktrip so I can run all my mods by him first!

...seriously though, they're brighter, plain and simple. I may or may NOT tint the tail lights, and figured since the front half of the car was LED, might as well do the back too. The bulbs in question are the license plate bulb and rear corner bulb.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

First you gotta get the light bulbs working, then you can poke me in the rib.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

They work. Sometimes.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

That's where I got mine from too. ....do you not like 'em because they have that instant on/off? I've personally always like the soft on/off of filament bulbs, but I also do NOT like dull/dimly lit tinted tails. I've got a few pairs of tail lights i'm playing around with, and i'm gonna restore all of 'em. One will be tinted, and I'll likely use the LED's with them. If I keep 'em stock, I'll likely go back to filaments.

scfbody

I've been using and selling the Diode Dynamics LED bulbs for 4-5 years, overall if the socket is working correctly they don't have the problem your describing. Sometimes they are more difficult to install in the socket since the base is slightly wider. When testing other brands some are really picky on where you position the bulb in the socket which causes issues with vibrations and movement of any kind. The Diode Dynamics bulbs have contacts that seem sturdier. Their HP3 and HP5 bulbs are not polarity sensitive which also makes them easier on the install.

For the taillights, most bulbs currently available don't fit all the way into the socket on the turn signal and reverse bulbs. We machine a small area of the bulbs so they fit all the way into the socket. Before we started selling them we tested about 5-6 different brands and they all had the same issue. The Diode Dynamics brand offers a 3 year warranty so if a bulb quits working they send you a new one. The LED bulbs really help with tinted tail lights, even with the tint they are much brighter than stock.

1982-1992 Camaro LED Tail Light Bulb Combo Kit (screamingchicken.com)