Trouble installing tailgate light bar.
03-23-2017, 03:55 PM
#111
For those who have the new Putco Blade (#92009), what happens to the light bar when you turn on the hazard lights?
I received my light bar yesterday and wanted to try it with the 4 pin just to see if it works prior to install. BTW I have BLIS and trailer package. The running, brake, and turn signals worked great (didn't try reverse).
The thing is when I tried the hazards the bar acted erratically with a rapid solid red flash about every 3-4 flashes of the hazard lights. Maybe once I do the full recommended wiring install this won't be an issue, just curious what I should expect when hazards are turned on with proper install. It just seemed to me that the 4 pin trial should have given me a good glimpse of what to expect...maybe I'm wrong here.
I received my light bar yesterday and wanted to try it with the 4 pin just to see if it works prior to install. BTW I have BLIS and trailer package. The running, brake, and turn signals worked great (didn't try reverse).
The thing is when I tried the hazards the bar acted erratically with a rapid solid red flash about every 3-4 flashes of the hazard lights. Maybe once I do the full recommended wiring install this won't be an issue, just curious what I should expect when hazards are turned on with proper install. It just seemed to me that the 4 pin trial should have given me a good glimpse of what to expect...maybe I'm wrong here.
Mine did the same at first, with the recommended wiring from Putco. The turn signal problem I've been having seems to be going away- maybe a loose wire? Anyway, with the hazards now the bar will flash red like the brake in time with the truck's hazard signal. It doesn't flash every time, but easily most times.
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Freeseframe (03-23-2017)
03-23-2017, 03:59 PM
#112
Mine did the same at first, with the recommended wiring from Putco. The turn signal problem I've been having seems to be going away- maybe a loose wire? Anyway, with the hazards now the bar will flash red like the brake in time with the truck's hazard signal. It doesn't flash every time, but easily most times.
03-26-2017, 09:10 AM
#113
Posting a quick follow-up. Got everything installed yesterday and the light bar is working great. Even the hazard lights work now, no trailer detect error, etc.
For those doing the install yourself the jumper wire install to get the constant 12 volt is a bit frustrating. There is not much room to work under the dash even if you unplug the harness.
For those doing the install yourself the jumper wire install to get the constant 12 volt is a bit frustrating. There is not much room to work under the dash even if you unplug the harness.
03-26-2017, 06:56 PM
#115
I probably should double check. My son was the one who was checking the lights as I went through them and he didn't say there were any problems. My wife also followed me yesterday for a fair bit as we had to go separate ways after dinner and she didn't mention any odd behavior. I'll report back if I notice anything odd.
04-24-2017, 02:51 AM
#116
I got my light bar replaced by my installer the other day. The bad news is that the replacement has the exact same defect as the last bar. It's obvious now that Putco still has a design defect with this bar. I would recommend against anyone buying it until Putco sorts out the electronics defects.
Here is the problem: with the lights on, if you apply the brake and use a turn signal at the same time, the light bar directional signal only flashes occasionally. I get one light bar flash for every 3-4 truck turn signal flashes, and it's completely inconsistent. If the signal is flashing and you step on the brake at just the right moment, you can even get the light bar to flash a signal in the wrong direction once.
I've had two bars now that exhibit these exact defects​. The bar was professionally installed and the are no other modifications to the electrical system of my F150. The installers followed Putco's directions. I called Putco after the first bar was installed and described how it was wired to the truck. Putco agreed that the wiring was correct.
It's too bad, because the light bar is really nice other than the useless, defective turn signal electronics.
Here is the problem: with the lights on, if you apply the brake and use a turn signal at the same time, the light bar directional signal only flashes occasionally. I get one light bar flash for every 3-4 truck turn signal flashes, and it's completely inconsistent. If the signal is flashing and you step on the brake at just the right moment, you can even get the light bar to flash a signal in the wrong direction once.
I've had two bars now that exhibit these exact defects​. The bar was professionally installed and the are no other modifications to the electrical system of my F150. The installers followed Putco's directions. I called Putco after the first bar was installed and described how it was wired to the truck. Putco agreed that the wiring was correct.
It's too bad, because the light bar is really nice other than the useless, defective turn signal electronics.
04-24-2017, 06:47 AM
#118
Does the cheap one have a different color for signals vs brakes? The difficulty comes from the bar that has amber signals and red brake lights (2 different circuits) and the truck where the brake and signal lights are the same (single circuit). The bar is having difficulty figuring out what to do.
04-24-2017, 09:08 AM
#119
Senior Member
I got my light bar replaced by my installer the other day. The bad news is that the replacement has the exact same defect as the last bar. It's obvious now that Putco still has a design defect with this bar. I would recommend against anyone buying it until Putco sorts out the electronics defects.
Here is the problem: with the lights on, if you apply the brake and use a turn signal at the same time, the light bar directional signal only flashes occasionally. I get one light bar flash for every 3-4 truck turn signal flashes, and it's completely inconsistent. If the signal is flashing and you step on the brake at just the right moment, you can even get the light bar to flash a signal in the wrong direction once.
I've had two bars now that exhibit these exact defects​. The bar was professionally installed and the are no other modifications to the electrical system of my F150. The installers followed Putco's directions. I called Putco after the first bar was installed and described how it was wired to the truck. Putco agreed that the wiring was correct.
It's too bad, because the light bar is really nice other than the useless, defective turn signal electronics.
Here is the problem: with the lights on, if you apply the brake and use a turn signal at the same time, the light bar directional signal only flashes occasionally. I get one light bar flash for every 3-4 truck turn signal flashes, and it's completely inconsistent. If the signal is flashing and you step on the brake at just the right moment, you can even get the light bar to flash a signal in the wrong direction once.
I've had two bars now that exhibit these exact defects​. The bar was professionally installed and the are no other modifications to the electrical system of my F150. The installers followed Putco's directions. I called Putco after the first bar was installed and described how it was wired to the truck. Putco agreed that the wiring was correct.
It's too bad, because the light bar is really nice other than the useless, defective turn signal electronics.
Putco 92009
04-24-2017, 09:20 AM
#120
Senior Member
Also forgot to mention I have the bracket everyone was worried about. I just used 8 pieces of 1/4 plexiglass cut to the same shape as the Putco brackets and doubled them up to make spacers, Held on with 3m red double stick tape, Works perfect, no binding on tailgate, and the 1/2 gap behind the bar allows stuff to fall out without getting stuck on the bar
