Last winter I got myself some LED smoked tail lights. Love 'em. For a silver car, I like the look better than big blocky red tail lights.
Problem is, the LED flashers (turn signals) dont draw enough power and the TIPM signals a burnt bulb, clearing the EVIC with message to that effect and accelerating the blinker as a reminder.
While annoying, I lived with it for a while because I just couldn't be bothered with something minor like that. Anyhow, I recently did and now I fixed it. Ahh... much nicer.
Begin by removing the lock pins:
This is the load resistor I used is a 6 Ohm 50 Watt load resistor from SuperbrightLEDs.com. Also in this photo, LED white backup light (center) and stock incandescent light (right):
From the main bulb harness, the BLACK wire is ground, and the OPPOSITE wire is turn signal. Strip wires on a 1cm portion:
and soldier the load resistor on the ground and turn signal wire (right tail pictured):
There is no fore or aft member of the load resistor. Just solder it in parallel.
I used the occasion to put in LED backup light in lieu of the stock bulb:
LED bulb number replaced stock bulb type 921.
Tape everything shut, secure the load resistor on the back of the tail light unit using 3M foam trim tape and reassemble your lights.
for testing this I made sure to use a volt meter to dig out the proper wire and as a precaution, did a small dry test run of the turn signals.
Video herein.
Quick and easy.
Problem is, the LED flashers (turn signals) dont draw enough power and the TIPM signals a burnt bulb, clearing the EVIC with message to that effect and accelerating the blinker as a reminder.
While annoying, I lived with it for a while because I just couldn't be bothered with something minor like that. Anyhow, I recently did and now I fixed it. Ahh... much nicer.
Begin by removing the lock pins:
This is the load resistor I used is a 6 Ohm 50 Watt load resistor from SuperbrightLEDs.com. Also in this photo, LED white backup light (center) and stock incandescent light (right):
From the main bulb harness, the BLACK wire is ground, and the OPPOSITE wire is turn signal. Strip wires on a 1cm portion:
and soldier the load resistor on the ground and turn signal wire (right tail pictured):
There is no fore or aft member of the load resistor. Just solder it in parallel.
I used the occasion to put in LED backup light in lieu of the stock bulb:
LED bulb number replaced stock bulb type 921.
Tape everything shut, secure the load resistor on the back of the tail light unit using 3M foam trim tape and reassemble your lights.
for testing this I made sure to use a volt meter to dig out the proper wire and as a precaution, did a small dry test run of the turn signals.
Video herein.
Quick and easy.