Well I thought I had the problem figured out, but I guess not. There's something weird going on in there. I did manage to get a comparison pic or two before the 2 fried again.

Here they are side by side. I think one led had fried on the new one at this point already.


And here they are up close, with both the problem children gone at this point.


I think it's a problem with the circuit board, as there's not much else it could be.
I'm getting frustrated.

 

Decided to take another crack at it tonight. I tried checking voltages and continuities anything I could think of to figure out the problem, but really found nothing except that the one led that went out (which took out the other) was drawing over 3v somehow while the rest are all pulling 2.7 (just a hair higher than the manufacturers specification.) So I replaced it and the resistor (again) and it seems to have done the trick.

Sensing a change in my luck, I decided to do the second one as well. Thankfully the second one went together in about an hour (including de-soldering and re-soldering.)

And now pics.










Now I just need to actually install the pwm, open up the light housings put them in (which will be a pain as I found the inner reflector is actually smaller than the lens ) and wire it all up.

I also took a look at how hard it would be to do the 3rd brake light as well. Should be pretty simple in comparison, so that'll probably be the next project.

 

lookin good man.
should start makin kits once you get it figured out...i am sure you could sell more then a couple. fund all your mods.

 

Haha, people on my cobalt forum have asked if I was going to, but I don't think I will. It's a lot of work and I'm going to be starting school again in aug. so I really won't have time for anything.

 

Well got them in the housings and temporarily mounted and wired up.

Here's one done with the other side still stock to compare brightness and look.

Parking lights.


Brake lights.




And here's a friends car parked behind when only one was done.


And a truck across the street.


And here they are both done.




Yes I noticed the one led out, but it came back on with a tap. Good thing I haven't actually sealed these up yet.

And a vid
http://s1114.photobucket.com/user/th...0bd71.mp4.html

 

Thats a nice Cobalt! I had a shot at a 4 door SS with the 5 speed, but it was a bit out of my price range.

 

Thanks. I'd love a SS/TC but those are probably double the price I paid.

 

sweet man, those hpwts are bright little things.

 

Yeah they are. I'll be ordering the reflectors for the 3rd brake light on friday, seeing as I still have about 75 of them left over.

 

forget the reflectors, and cram as many as you can into the 3rd brake light