hey, im gunna do a quick mod and make my rear signals LED. I was wondering if any of you had the bulb number.

I know i have to find DOT aproved led bulbs as directed by RoadRage, and I have found the resistor converter to make the signal at the right speed.

thanks for all your help

 

I do not know, but isn't it in the Manual?

 

I think it's a 7440 or 7443.

 

So it's not as simple as plug-and-play

 

it iz

 

So a resistor thingy is not necessary? Just buy the LED bulb and plug 'er in??

 

Why do you say that? My understanding is a ballast resistor is needed to get the TL's circuit to properly control the turn signal interval. Do you know for a fact that it is not so?

 

well knowing jat... i take most of his posts with a grain of salt, except for the posts in the rambling section . I was told that i needed a ballast resistor, and its only 4 bucks a bulb so its not a huge loss if i end up not needing it.

thanks for the bulb number. As for the manual, i would check it, if only i knew where it was. I had the dealer order me a new one since i somehow lost when i drove cross country.

anywho i will keep you updated on my priogress.

thanks

 

Please do. I am thinking about doing the same thing once my car gets here.

Thanks.

 

i know my shit man... i mean u can just plug it but it'll flash fast like rice civics or something.... am i still wrong?

 

While your answer isn't wrong, it isn't 100% correct either. It's like the difference between simply doing something to get it done, and doing it right.

Yeah, you can just plug the LED's in and they'll work. But they won't flash at the correct speed. Putting the resistors in gets the flasher rate where it should be - the difference betweening doing it, and doing it right.

There are flashers that will work at a fixed rate, but most flashers by design flash fast to alert the driver to a burned out bulb. The LED's draw so little current that the flasher "sees" them as a burned out light and causes the fast flash. The resistor addresses that.

One thing to keep in mind about LED bulbs is that they don't disperse light in all directions like a regular bulb. Depending on the bulb design most of the light goes straight back and little if any bounces off the the back reflectors. So the net effect is that perceived brightness goes down quite a bit. This is from experience with another vehicle I tried them on.
In the end I took them out because the front turn signals just got totally washed out in the day time and couldn't be seen - not good. And I've been behind a few "ricers" that have them and could barely see the flash in the daylight, again, not good.

I'm not recommending against them. Every car is different and how well LED bulbs work depends on the design of the lamp housing and the lenses.

In reference to RR's remark about DOT approved (compliant, actually, since DOT doesn't certify or approve anything, just sets standards), I've yet to see any LED "replacement" bulbs that have claimed to be DOT compliant.

 

Okay, so if one is interested in going the LED route for the rear signal bulbs then how is the "flash rate" problem solved? If there is a resistor/ballast/other mechanism needed, where does it go?

 

Can anyone answer this?

 

Yes, there are ballast resistors, they go "in-line" with the LED bulb (aka "in series").

Kosh2258 is correct, they flash fast when the LED is there as the circuit (flasher controler) senses the bulb is out (as the LED is low current compared to the standard bulb. Our problem is based on a safety feature of the car (IE to warn of a burned out bulb in the turn signals).

All cars that I know of require this ballast resistor to "fool" the flasher circuit in the car.

 

Has anyone successful completed this mod?

 

Not yet, but is this VVV the Flasher Fooler mentioned above?

RL-650 Load Resistor kit - About 3/4 of the way down the page (or CTRL+F it)

If anyone has done this, please chime in and let us know how it went. I'm considering replacing front and rear signals, but only if its worth it (I Cleared my fronts so the stock bulbs arent that bright anymore)

 

hey casper42...i believe that is the right kit

i have cleared my headlights and ive also done the flashing sidemarker mod and replaced the front corner lights with the 15led super white bulbs and i believe this resistor will work because right now my leds blink super fast

this is what super bright leds says

LOAD RESISTOR KITS

One LOAD Resistor is required for each turn signal bulb

6 Ohm, 50 Watt resistors can be connected across the turn signal bulbs to simulate the load of a regular filament bulb (2 Amp load). This will solve LED related turn signal problems such as hyper flashing or burnt out bulb indications. Resistor measures 1.96L x .64W x .60H inches, leads are 12 inches long.
Kit Includes gel filled moisture resistant splice taps.

CONNECTION INSTRUCTIONS: Using included splice taps, connect one wire to ground and the other wire to the turn/brake hot wire. Splice taps allow for installation without cutting your turn signal wires.


i will purchase 4 of them and will let you guys know how it works! wish my luck!!

 

I doubt the TL uses those bimatalic strips. More likely computer chip.

 

Okay guys. I just installed refractor LED bulbs that has 9 forward firing LED's and 6 firing around the sides. This fills out the lens much better than any other replacement led bulb on the market.

The only thing now is that my blinkers flashes like a bitch - too fast - but I will follow your instructions and get the resistor.

Here's how the bulb looks like:




.. and here's how it looks on my car:




JQ.

 

im surprised, I thought they would have had a digital system for the blinkers, not those little bimatalic strips. Oh well. They are cheap, and get the job done.

Edit: Oh, you have a second gen, does anyone know if the 3rd gen our digitally regulated.

 

Like to see this on a 3g!!!!!

 

i have those same bulbs 15 LED on front corner lights with cleared headlights on a WDP...

i will try to take some pics

crazymjb: i didn't take pics of my take apart/installation of the messed up headlights man...but i do have the other pair of headlight and i can try to take pics of those when i try to fix it...sorry...pretty hard doing things myself..

 

I understand. My friend loves doing auto stuff with me, well take pics.