Red LED turn signals? (03-04 sedan)

[AMAN1]

Has anybody done it? I thought it would be original and not that bad-looking. Doesn't really serve a huge purpose, but I imagine it looks better than the current OEM setup. Thoughts? Anyone that's done it feel free to post pics.

[whatever]

front or back?

If front it's illegal

[paperboy42190]

red led front turn signal would look kinda weird, lol. but for rears...you wont be able to tell anyways, but u'll get a fast blink all the time, if you're into that sort of thing.

[hillstones]

Originally Posted by whatever

front or back?

If front it's illegal

Red would be illegal in the front, LED would not. Red is legal in the back of course since many vehicles have a single red brake/turn signal indicator.

However, you need a special resistor control box to get an LED lamp to function as a turn signal.

[gtspaceii]

If you're going to install an LED bulb for your turn signal - in place of your standard incandescent bulb - like hillstones was eluding to, you need to install/splice a load resistor (like the pic below) in each corner that you use an LED bulb...or else, like paperboy42190 said, you'll get the "hyperflash" when you use your turn signal. Normally, if you purchase LED bulbs from a reputable seller (like the ones advertised here on DA), you can also purchase these load resistors with the bulbs.

[AMAN1]

Rear turn signal, sorry for not clarifying.

Doesn't look that hard to install. Would both the front and rear turn signals "hyperflash" if I installed only LED rears without the resistors?

[gtspaceii]

Originally Posted by AMAN1

Would both the front and rear turn signals "hyperflash" if I installed only LED rears without the resistors?

Yes.

LED bulbs draw less current; with cars now-a-days, (you probably already know this) the hyperflash is to inform you that one of your bulbs is burnt out. Both front and back turn signals (per side) are on the same circuit; so the hyperflash will happen on the side the bulb is burnt out (regardless if either front or back is burnt out) or for your application, where you replaced the standard bulb with the LED one. The load resistor just simulates the current an incandescent bulbs draws. Hope this helps.

[the grey quincy]

Originally Posted by gtspaceii

Yes.

LED bulbs draw less current; with cars now-a-days, (you probably already know this) the hyperflash is to inform you that one of your bulbs is burnt out. Both front and back turn signals (per side) are on the same circuit; so the hyperflash will happen on the side the bulb is burnt out (regardless if either front or back is burnt out) or for your application, where you replaced the standard bulb with the LED one. The load resistor just simulates the current an incandescent bulbs draws. Hope this helps.

+1. A normal filament bulb draws roughly 12v whereas an LED bulb will only draw 1-2v. The system will see the significantly less draw as a break in the circuit which, under normal circumstances, would indicate a burned out bulb

[AspireBlack]

Originally Posted by gtspaceii

If you're going to install an LED bulb for your turn signal - in place of your standard incandescent bulb - like hillstones was eluding to, you need to install/splice a load resistor (like the pic below) in each corner that you use an LED bulb...or else, like paperboy42190 said, you'll get the "hyperflash" when you use your turn signal. Normally, if you purchase LED bulbs from a reputable seller (like the ones advertised here on DA), you can also purchase these load resistors with the bulbs.

Is this load resistor just for impedance matching? Does anyone know the resistance of OEM taillights? If it's just some series resistors, I'd rather make one. = )

[retrosolutions]

Originally Posted by the grey quincy

+1. A normal filament bulb draws roughly 12v whereas an LED bulb will only draw 1-2v. The system will see the significantly less draw as a break in the circuit which, under normal circumstances, would indicate a burned out bulb

They both use the same voltage, which is dependent on what is provided by the car's electrical system. LEDs are current dependent devices, and its the lack of current draw in the circuit that causes the "hyperflashing" of the flasher switch.

[AspireBlack]

Originally Posted by retrosolutions

They both use the same voltage, which is dependent on what is provided by the car's electrical system. LEDs are current dependent devices, and its the lack of current draw in the circuit that causes the "hyperflashing" of the flasher switch.

Does that mean that the load resistor siphons off some current, through a low resistance resistor, to the body to simulate the higher current draw of a filament bulb?

[retrosolutions]

Originally Posted by AspireBlack

Does that mean that the load resistor siphons off some current, through a low resistance resistor, to the body to simulate the higher current draw of a filament bulb?

Yes, exactly

[AMAN1]

Thanks for the help, guys. Retrosolutions, do you make any red LEDs that would fit in the 03-04 sedan's rear turn signal housing?

[retrosolutions]

Originally Posted by AMAN1

Thanks for the help, guys. Retrosolutions, do you make any red LEDs that would fit in the 03-04 sedan's rear turn signal housing?

Well, that would technically be a 7440 RED, which we'd have to make specifically for you, but we can do it.