so I got a couple of those LED 1157 replacements for the tail lights at the local PepBoys. I had had a few of the regular incandescent bulbs burn out in the past 6 months or so, and I thought I remembered reading somewhere that the LED units might last longer(?). Couple things though. Since they have less resistance, the indicator goes at double-speed. Now this doesn't bother me much that, but, the clicking of the flasher is now extra annoying. Has anyone changed the indicator relay with another one that sounds less, um, cheap?
#89653, "RE: LED brake/turn lights" In response to Reply # 0
Not sure about the flasher but.....
On harleys if you upgrade to an LED bulb the electronic flasher will not work because of the lack or resistance. The fix is to buy what they call a load box. it wires into your lights with only a few wires and adds the resistance without compromising the voltage. If you could find out how its made or a schematic them you could do the same with our lights!
#89678, "RE: LED brake/turn lights" In response to Reply # 1 Oct-06-05 07:12 PM by turbo8u
Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon adds the resistance without compromising the voltage.
if resistance is raised, then it directly affects both amperage and voltage....ohm's law, as least as far as i understand.
i say get a wiring schematic of the turn signal circuit and check the total resistance and then install the led's, do it again...and whatever is the major change, and voltage drop...add a resistor and check with the DVOM to get it as close to where it was with the normal lights.
edit: also, make sure there is no power flowing in the circuit when you do the resistance checks.
you can always just do your own circuit as well
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96 Black ESi 91 Red TSI AWD (RIP) 02 WRX
"turnin wrenches for nine hours in the pouring rain, just to get the beast up and running again"
Aerospace Certified TIG welder for Precision Castparts in Portland, OR.
#89680, "RE: LED brake/turn lights" In response to Reply # 2
If you want to fix the blinking rate by using load resistors just find a good price on them, install them in a spot where the heat they put out won't melt anything, and call it good. They are usually rated about 5-6 ohms and at least 50 watts.
A load resistor is simply adding back the load you removed when you took out the two rear bulbs per side and installed LED bulbs in the tails.
Our factory blinker is expecting to see the loading of three lights per side (1 front, 2 rear) when the turn signal is on. A load resistor has to simulate the effect of those two "missing" bulbs.
Think how hot those brake/turn bulbs get when they are in use and you'll understand why the load resistor needs to be mounted in a safe place. If you had a place to mount the old bulbs you could simply hide them in the back somewhere and get the same effect.
If you choose a load resistor you'll need one per side and I would not recommend mounting it on the front turn signal circuit. I've heard people do that but that's putting the load of two extra bulbs on a circuit designed to carry one. Could be okay but why chance it?
ez,
You can pick up brake and turn functions as well as hazards at the blinker box. It is a strange arrangement as some ground paths come and go depending on whether the key is on or not. When the hazard switch is engaged for instance, you no longer have brake lights.
For my turn signal sequencer I was able to use make use of the turn signal L & R ground path to stop sequencing on the opposite side during a turn and brake combination.
#89654, "RE: LED brake/turn lights" In response to Reply # 0
Obviously you could install a set of those loading resistors in the circuit that will increase the current load back to the normal level so the blink rate will return to normal.
If you are an experimenter you can take the blinker box out and do some mods. The blinker in my 98 is nothing you'll find anywhere except a junkyard or the dealer. I assume all 2G's are the same. It is not an off-the-shelf item from Autozone so none of the aftermarket constant-rate blinkers will plug in the harness.
Here's what I did to fix the blink rate on my LED tails.
#89677, "RE: LED brake/turn lights" In response to Reply # 4
azdave's understandings of all things electric in our car continues to amaze me. hey Dave, what are the signals to the blinker box? that's what I want to use for the PICAXE microcontroller
2gnt: '99 RS-T, killed by a toyota, pending rebuild... Daily: Volt Daily #2: '99 EVG ebike- STOLEN by PEDRO
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