Led light bar overheat

Tiny
2016STI
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 SUBARU WRX
  • 2,000 MILES
I was trying to install two led light bar under the dash inside my car, one on each side. Each led is 12v, 6w as it said on the package! I use the fuse tap or add-a-circuit method as it called to power the led. I followed all the proper instructions, positive to the cigarette lighter fuse and the negative to ground! The led lighted up when I turned the key to ACC (engine not start yet), everything was fine however when I started the engine, both led light bar heated up in a few seconds. The heat even melt the double side tape at the back and start to smoke a bit! They were so hot can't even touch! I know led do generate some heat but not that much! Now my question is why it happened only when the engine start? Too much current? Bad led light bar or do I need a resistor? By the way I did the same thing in my previous car for five years, nothing went wrong! Please, any clue?
Thanks
Friday, December 25th, 2015 AT 10:18 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
We only have diagrams up to 2014 and it wants to know if it's push button start or not but I don't know what the difference is. What engine is in this as well
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Monday, December 28th, 2015 AT 7:11 AM
Tiny
2016STI
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
2.5L DOHC Flat 4 Turbo Charge
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Monday, December 28th, 2015 AT 7:21 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Is it a push button start the schematics are different if it is.
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Monday, December 28th, 2015 AT 7:40 AM
Tiny
2016STI
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No it's not
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Monday, December 28th, 2015 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
First thing you do is to check what voltage you get from the power socket pictured as I am assuming this is where it is hooked up. It may be to high a voltage there. Check requirements for your light putting a resistor to it may make the power to low. The yellow/green wire is to power socket and it goes from there to accessory relay. Then yellow wire to ignition switch. You mayhave to put a switch with a relay to operate the system. Your groud may not be aas good either the ground for socket is at left front of center consol so try hooking it there as well.
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Monday, December 28th, 2015 AT 9:39 AM

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