Rear Tail light LEDs are not working

[Dave23703]

I've had my Insight now for over two years. The right side tail light assembly had a few of the LED's from the brake light go out. I thought it was just a random thing and the dealership replaced the part under warranty.

About 8 months later, the same exact bulbs on the driver side tail light assembly aren't working. This time I'm out of the warranty and I'll be damned if I spend 200 bucks for a new assembly for a few LED's.

Can someone first tell me:

1) am I the only one who is having this problem?

2) If someone else is having this problem, which LED's are going out? (my outer edge bulbs stopped working)

3) does anyone have the exploded view of the assembly, replacement parts, instructions or fixes? I will probably disassemble the unit and find out exactly what part has become defective.

[runtohel121]

I never had this problem so far after 2+ years of owning the car. My assumption is that the LED's cannot be replaced by users, usually have to replace the whole assembly once one or more LED goes out.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Dave23703

I've had my Insight now for over two years. The right side tail light assembly had a few of the LED's from the brake light go out. I thought it was just a random thing and the dealership replaced the part under warranty.

About 8 months later, the same exact bulbs on the driver side tail light assembly aren't working. This time I'm out of the warranty and I'll be damned if I spend 200 bucks for a new assembly for a few LED's.

Can someone first tell me:

1) am I the only one who is having this problem?

2) If someone else is having this problem, which LED's are going out? (my outer edge bulbs stopped working)

3) does anyone have the exploded view of the assembly, replacement parts, instructions or fixes? I will probably disassemble the unit and find out exactly what part has become defective.

The LED tail-lights need to provide a minimum load on the electrical system for them to work.

One solution is to add a load resistor across the LED bulbs, from the 12V to ground to make the car think that there is an incandescent bulb still attached.

There is a post from about one year ago that discusses this very same topic.

I have LED lights as well, but put enough on each side of the car to meet the minimum threshold.

Jim.

[Cobb]

There was a recall about the drivers side having issues with sweating and needing a new vent tube.


Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

[Dave23703]

I got it. Apparently the single bulb that's NOT an LED in the top of the tail light influences the circuits (circuit board) of the LED array. When I replaced the original bulb from the cheapo LED I put in there, the lights turned back on. Only this time they are dimmer than the rest. I'm just glad they work again.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Dave23703

I got it. Apparently the single bulb that's NOT an LED in the top of the tail light influences the circuits (circuit board) of the LED array. When I replaced the original bulb from the cheapo LED I put in there, the lights turned back on. Only this time they are dimmer than the rest. I'm just glad they work again.

There's something to be said for not buying the cheapest thing out there.

I learned that lesson many moons ago, and I guess the younger folk go along the same path and learn the same things in life.

There are many times when paying more for quality, also means better as well.

Jim.

[Dave23703]

Originally Posted by Cobb

There was a recall about the drivers side having issues with sweating and needing a new vent tube.


Sent from my Autoguide iPod touch app

Hey Cobb, what exactly are you talking about? My driverside still needs to be fixed and I either need a replacement $$$ or I need a schematic so I can fix it. If you have a recall notice I'm not aware of, please let me know.

Thanks

[egads]

There is a big difference between a recall and a technical service bulletin. TSBs are advisories to Honda techs to solve problems that customer complain about. A recall is almost always safety related, either done voluntarily by the manufacturer or mandated by the feds. TSBs can often be done for free if one has a good relationship with a dealer. They have "goodwill" money they can spend to keep customers happy. I have found TSBs and had them done well out of warranty by being nice and having other work done at the same time. Often a service manager will do them to keep his techs busy when things are slow.

[Cobb]

10037004 / SB-10-031 | The Center for Autosafety

[smb5104]

I Have the exact same problem with my 2010 insight. The 3 outer edge bulbs seem to be part of the same circuit and dim or flicker. They are not burnt out. It appears to be a faulty connection issue.
I believe it to be a common defect and not a coincidence that it is the same 3 LEDs.

Does anyone else have this issue? Sometimes it seems to take a moment before they start to dim a flicker. Check your taillights!