VLED V3 Switchback DRLs MELTED!

I ordered VLED V3 switchbacks in early June, and immediately installed them. I of course used dielectric gel in all of my fittings, properly mounted the resistor to the vehicle frame, and sealed connection with the provided heat sleeve.

Yesterday I was out with the missus and began getting hyperflash on the left turn signal. It first started about 70 miles from home on the freeway, but it only hyperflashed for a second and then stopped. I didn't notice the issue again until I was back in my town, stopping at a tire shop to have some new wheels installed. At that point I popped the hood and cut the heat sleeve and started disconnecting everything and immediately noticed the smell of burnt electronics. The socket adapter that mates the 3157 factory socket to the VLED assembly was extraordinarily hot to the touch. After waiting a moment for it to cool down I disconnected it and saw that the tip of the adapter was melted. Looking inside the factory socket housing I could see that melted black plastic had collected inside the socket as well. I cleaned everything up and let it cool down before reinstalling just for the sake of troubleshooting, at which point I could get a white DRL but no amber signal on the driver side headlight.

I called VLEDs and they were very quick to respond and helpful, and offered to replace the broken adapter and at their recommendation the control unit as well. I got the impression from the representative based on him very quickly saying "it must have been sending over voltage for some reason" that this is something they have seen with this product in the past. The RMA/Warranty process required me to "destroy" the current assembly by cutting the wiring and uploading pictures. VLEDs is backordered on the adapter (the part that melted) until sometime in October, but will be sending replacement parts then. I ordered a $30 switchback off of Amazon where reviewers with Toyotas have said that the onboard logic works and that it does work as a switchback. I'll report on these when they arrive as to whether or not they work. If they do, it's a switchback for $140 less than the VLEDs.

Anyway, here are pics of the burnt adapter. I wish the internet was Smell-O-Vision. Anyone else with VLED V3 Switchbacks ever have a problem or am I just lucky? It seems like a really solid product with very few if any negative reviews, so it's possible I just have terrible luck and got the one bad unit. I just wanted to post my experience so others who are considering these switchbacks can weigh their decision against this.

 

That's a good point - I wonder if the resistor being between the fuse and the adapter had anything to do with it.

 

Using the factory installed fuse.

I don't think the circuit is the issue, I believe it's 100% because of the VLEDs installed there. The only thing that sustained any damage was the VLEDs adapter which I believe shorted out and melted.

I guess I'll know for sure when I install different DRLs and see if this happens again on that side.

 

Wow! Glad I waited. I was ready to pull the trigger on these last night and saw they were back ordering the adapter. I contacted them and they said they expect them the second to third week in October so I figured I'd wait a bit until I ordered them.

VERY interested in your feedback on the Amazon units Mike!

 

I have the V3 Switchbacks and one of the bulbs burnt out after a couple weeks. I called VLED and they shipped me a new one that day which arrived a couple days later. Sucks that it happened but at least VLED has great customer service and a lifetime warranty on the Tritons.

Interested in your review on the Amazon bulbs. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews since most are not true switchbacks. I remember before I bought my VLEDs I was looking around and most had the fine print "Not for DRL use" lol

 

These ones allegedly are OK as DRLs. I'll have then on Thursday and will link to them and mention whether or not they actually work.

I agree that VLED customer service is pretty fantastic. No BS, no quesioning, just a willingness and desire to get it resolved.

 

I just took the right side out and the adapter for that one is melted too..