DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

I was asked by a couple of people to do a DIY after I swapped my stock bulbs for LEDs. I beg for forgiveness in advance, it's my first DIY write up. This will stop hyperblinking cause by installing LEDs.



I used some photos other than those of my car because 1. it's too cold outside and 2. i'm kind of ashamed at how dirty my car is right now.



Approximate time to complete: 30 min.



Tools needed: Flat heat Screwdriver

Electrical Tape



Items I used for Install:



V-leds Switchback... Be sure to purchase CK type or you will blow fuses





24 LED Towers for Rear.. Mine depict 1157 because I installed into

Aftermarket LED Tails. Regular tail lights use 3157 bulbs





Pair of 3 Ohm Resistors from V-LEDs and Electrical Splice Connectors





Step1:

Install led bulbs





Remove these two clips and pull back carpet to expose back of tail light





Swap out turn signal bulb.. this would be the passenger side photo







To get to the front turn signal bulbs there is a push clip and a clip that uses a quarter turn (has a screw type head) to remove at the arrows. Remove these clips then pull back wheel well liner just enough to get your hand in to install new led bulbs.



If you open the hood you will be able to look down from above to see what you are doing.



2. Install Load Resistors





Take nut off of bolt with arrow pointing to it. This is where you will mount load resistor.





Connect one resistor wire to the green wire, the other to the white. I always wrap my connections with electrical tape as a precaution.



This is what your final result will look like.



Do the Same on the other side and close everything up.



Notes:

-Resistors will get hot when turn signals are on, the metal will dissipate most of the heat but make sure wires are not touching it.



-Resistors can be turned to face rear, there is more than enough room to do so.



-This is for a front and rear led setup. if you were to have just front or rear you would need to install 6 ohm resistors at the location of the leds.



Any questions let me know.

Reply 1 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

nice write up man! how much did u spend on the bulbs? also why didnt u just go with installing a led electronic flasher? i think that would have saved u all the wire clipping

Reply 2 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

I would have used an electronic flasher, but everything i have read online from others is thatit is difficult to find. Plus, i would rather not rip the dash apart.



$60.00 for the swirchbacks and $20.00 for the rear turn signals.

Reply 3 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

Very nice for a first writeup!



*Added to DIY Sticky thread*

Reply 4 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

how hot do the resistors get? what happens at night when you have your lights on since your parking lights are your turn signals?

Reply 5 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

Quote:

Originally Posted by diablo2184 how hot do the resistors get? what happens at night when you have your lights on since your parking lights are your turn signals?

the parking lights are on the second filament of the brake lights not the turn signals

Reply 6 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

i thought the turn signals are its own bulb....



i want to change the amber bulbs in the front headlights and taillights to LED bulbs. i am going to need resistors correct? on the headlights, the parking light is the same as the turn signal right? so wont that bulb always be on if i change it? and then flash when i use the blinkers?

Reply 7 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

Quote:

Originally Posted by diablo2184 i thought the turn signals are its own bulb.... i want to change the amber bulbs in the front headlights and taillights to LED bulbs. i am going to need resistors correct? on the headlights, the parking light is the same as the turn signal right? so wont that bulb always be on if i change it? and then flash when i use the blinkers?

oh sorry, i thought you were talking about the tail side. only the turn signal uses the resistor (reason why its hooked up to the rear) so parking lights on all the time will not heat up the resistor because it would not be in use. the resistor is hooked up to prevent hyperflashing and not for regulating voltage to the leds.

Reply 8 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

but will i need the resistors for the front turn signals as well?

Reply 9 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

the resistors on the rear is enough to put a load on the flasher relay. an easier approach would be getting a electronic flasher relay (which i could have sworn our corollas had from factory) and replacing that. then resistors wouldnt be needed at all.

Reply 10 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

so i wont have any issues with the front since its the same bulb (parking lights and turn signals)?



i heard that the electronic flasher relay prevents the light flashing when locking the car.....

Reply 11 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

Quote:

Originally Posted by diablo2184 so i wont have any issues with the front since its the same bulb (parking lights and turn signals)? i heard that the electronic flasher relay prevents the light flashing when locking the car.....

im sorry if im answering some things wrong, im having a hard time understanding your questions. Hope someone else can chime in.



you wont have any problems with the parking lights, its a whole different circuit. on the other hand the turn signals will still need the resistor connected to the circuit even if you only changed the front bulb.



i dont really know about the electronic flasher relay preventing flashing...that someone must be a guinea pig.

Reply 12 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

ok, i understand the rear section completely. i know i need the resistors so it doesnt cause them to flash fast. the rear bulb is only on when i turn the indicators on.



for the fronts, there is on bulb that is dual filament and it is the parking light (lights up orange when you turn your headlight switch to the first click). then when you hit the assembly to turn on your indicator signal left or right, the same bulb up front starts to flash. do you understand where i am coming from?



that was my initial question.....in reference to the Front turn signals, since they are also the parking lights, will the resistors get too hot when driving at night?

Reply 13 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

Quote:

Originally Posted by diablo2184 ok, i understand the rear section completely. i know i need the resistors so it doesnt cause them to flash fast. the rear bulb is only on when i turn the indicators on. for the fronts, there is on bulb that is dual filament and it is the parking light (lights up orange when you turn your headlight switch to the first click). then when you hit the assembly to turn on your indicator signal left or right, the same bulb up front starts to flash. do you understand where i am coming from? that was my initial question.....in reference to the Front turn signals, since they are also the parking lights, will the resistors get too hot when driving at night?

The front bulb has dual filaments as you stated, which means the bulb is actually two bulbs integrated together. they may share the same ground but the positive signal sent to each "bulb" is different so the resistor isnt used unless the turn signal is activated.





Image from V-Leds



hopefully that picture helps.

Reply 14 : DIY: Stock to LED Turn Signal Swap

ok got ya. so if i will need four resistors? one for each turn signal bulb?