Need help correcting LED tail lights

[stoner01]

So the tail light went out the other day. I went to the local auto parts store and opted to get some LED bulbs. Well turns out my trunk don't like them as much. Doing some research I can either go with a resistor or a variable load flasher (or whatever its called).

I suck with electrical and wiring. Anyone done this before and want to lend a guy a hand? Its on a 2010 Explorer.

[SideShow Bob]

The easiest thing to do is to go online and order up the LED lamps that already have the load resistor in them. Or you could just change them all four corners & put up with them hyper flashing when you use the turn signals.

Second, this costs as much if not more than resistored lamps, is to install 50w, 6 ohm resistors between the DC + feed hot wire & DC - ground wires feeding the turn signals. A total of 4 resistors, two for the front & two for the rear.

Third, even more expensive, is to buy adapter jumpers that have the resistors in them. On end plugs into the lamp socket, and the other into the lamp & reflector. Still, four are needed.

And the fourth way is to replace the flasher relay module, to a thermal flasher relay module, if there is one made for the year & model of your vehicle. This is probably the most cost effective way to convert to LED lamps.

[stoner01]

I can deal with the hyper flash but the error codes will pop up each time I start the truck

[SideShow Bob]

If the resistors don't eliminate the code, the expense gets higher, there are modules that need to go in line that will have the resistors built into them and circuitry to eliminate the codes.

Go back to the Stone Age & reinstall incandescent lamps... It by far the cheapest and easiest solution.

[BPTactical]

Bob, your knowledge on the subject is truly..........illuminating.






[Coffee]

[StagLefty]

Bob, your knowledge on the subject is truly..........illuminating.

He's a very bright man !!




[Coffee]

[SideShow Bob]

If you do try the resistors, they get very hot with extended use, such as at red signals waiting to turn or forgetting to cancel them after a lane change & driving for miles before noticing them and canceling the turn signal.
They need to be mounted to metal parts, but not on the inside of body panels, they could possibly blister the paint on the outside.

[hurley842002]

Out of curiosity, which bulbs did you get? I picked up Sylvanias led tail lights for my 11 Xterra, from O'Reilly and they were plug and go.

[brutal]

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/flashers-load-resistors/filter/Type,LED_Car_Flasher,60,3607:Type,LED_Motorcycle_F lasher,60,3608:

[brutal]

https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehicle/2010-ford-explorer-vehicle-led-lights?make=28&model=781&year=2010

[brutal]

You might want to do a bit of research on this site, like is the vehicle CAN BUS?

Looks like this flasher is the one, but make sure you have the correct LED lamps. There are some different socket variations...

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/hazard-warning-flasher/ep27l-led-bulb-electronic-flasher/784/838/

These are the goto guys for all things LED when another known reliable product source isn't available. They tend to be a little more $$, but it's not garbage that has a short MTBF. I would avoid Amazon as 99% of that stuff is total crap.

[SideShow Bob]

Out of curiosity, which bulbs did you get? I picked up Sylvanias led tail lights for my 11 Xterra, from O'Reilly and they were plug and go.

Your vehicle may have the flasher speed controlled by the vehicle's CPU irregardless of current draw, rather than by a current dependent flasher relay module.

[hurley842002]

Your vehicle may have the flasher speed controlled by the vehicle's CPU irregardless of current draw, rather than by a current dependent flasher relay module.

Ahhh, thanks for the info. I know a fair amount about cars, but electronics is not my strength lol.

[stoner01]

Out of curiosity, which bulbs did you get? I picked up Sylvanias led tail lights for my 11 Xterra, from O'Reilly and they were plug and go.

Sylvania equivalent for my ford OEMs.