Problem with LED taillights - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RubberChicken · 03-24-2019, 10:59 AM

I just spent $40 on LED taillights bulbs and put them in. They work, I checked them with the turn signal on and they blink as intended. BUT... the dashboard tells me to check both right and left turn signals and they blink rapidly, like when an incandescent bulb goes out. I verified that I got the right kind, 3157. Are LED taillight bulbs not compatible with the Camaro?

CHRISCAM · 03-24-2019, 01:44 PM

I was interested in putting LED bulbs in my '13 too, so I sent an inquiry to Diode Dynamics (they're a member on this site too). I asked if a resistor is needed with the standard electrical circuit on these cars and they said "Yes, external resistor is required.".
They have these inline resistors that attach to each bulb lead wire and clamp on. That takes care of the fast blink issue.

I didn't end up getting the bulbs (yet), but I still might.

Hope that helps!

RubberChicken · 03-24-2019, 09:12 PM

Thanks for the reply! I'll look online for the inline resistors and see if I can make it work. If not then I'll just go back to incandescents.

InFiD3ViL · 03-24-2019, 10:45 PM

I know you do not need resistors for LED side markers.

But for the tails, I am curious of the best solution as I would like some LED bulbs back there as well.

JBZL1 · 03-25-2019, 08:25 AM

L.E.D bulbs draw less current than incandescent bulbs, so the car doesn't sense the power drain and assumes the bulb is dead.. an in line resistor will add the draw that the car is looking for and no fast blink or light saying check bulbs.
I got a couple packs of resistors off Amazon for cheap..

tstodii · 03-25-2019, 09:59 AM

Not to hijack but I have a brand new harness set that have resistors built-in that will work for 10-13 models. Accidentally bought them instead of the 14-15. These plug between the bulb and the OEM wiring harness so you won't have to splice in the resistor or use the wire tap device.

sixty9fordkiller · 03-25-2019, 11:15 AM

just to add more information, the resistors will get really hot. Make sure you set them somewhere where it wont be close to anything that can melt

Badbubba · 03-26-2019, 08:52 AM

Will need resistors due to the low load of leds for the tail lights, it appears as a burned out bulb. They are not inline resistors, they need to parallel the led bulb. If they were inline, the circuit would draw even less current. If you don't want to splice into the factory wires, you can buy a trailer harness kit that T's into the circuit. You then splice into the harness wires. Iirc, you only need to add them to the brake/turn, not the parking lights of the circuit. Be certain there is enough brightness difference when having the tail lights on and then using the turn or brake lights. The cheap leds I first bought had almost no contrast. Brake and turn looked fine without the tail lights on, but could barely see the brake/turn with parking lights on.

Wizard1183 · 03-26-2019, 11:04 AM

You would think if a company created these for a specific model, they'd come with the resistor already attached as they KNOW it won't properly work without it. Company should be held liable. If its not plug and play, I wouldn't want it. Shouldn't have to "make" a product work. It should just work...

Spec · 03-26-2019, 12:16 PM

I bought 2 sets of these for the same reason;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

tstodii · 04-01-2019, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard1183

You would think if a company created these for a specific model, they'd come with the resistor already attached as they KNOW it won't properly work without it. Company should be held liable. If its not plug and play, I wouldn't want it. Shouldn't have to "make" a product work. It should just work...

Most LED bulbs are not marketed to a specific car but to specific bulb sizes. It's not the bulb manufacturers job to ensure that the consumer knows if their car can use LEDs without issues or not. However, most put a small disclaimer about needing resistors if you use LED to replace Halogen turn indicators...

Cheap Guy · 04-14-2019, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spec

I bought 2 sets of these for the same reason;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ok, so you bought a total of four of these - did they work for you? What bulb did you decide to use and were they bright enough?

mbesman · 04-14-2019, 06:12 PM

not trying to hijack but I bought the hero tailights and now have a buzzing sound through radio. Would one of these resistors work and if so anyone know which to get. Its driving me nutz.

sixty9fordkiller · 04-14-2019, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbesman

not trying to hijack but I bought the hero tailights and now have a buzzing sound through radio. Would one of these resistors work and if so anyone know which to get. Its driving me nutz.

rfi filters are inexpensive. dont know if thats the root of your cause tho

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

03-24-2019, 10:59 AM	#1
RubberChicken Drives: 2011 IBM 1LT w white Rally Stripes Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dallas Posts: 396 View My Garage	Problem with LED taillights I just spent $40 on LED taillights bulbs and put them in. They work, I checked them with the turn signal on and they blink as intended. BUT... the dashboard tells me to check both right and left turn signals and they blink rapidly, like when an incandescent bulb goes out. I verified that I got the right kind, 3157. Are LED taillight bulbs not compatible with the Camaro? __________________

03-24-2019, 09:12 PM	#3
RubberChicken Drives: 2011 IBM 1LT w white Rally Stripes Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Dallas Posts: 396 View My Garage	Thanks for the reply! I'll look online for the inline resistors and see if I can make it work. If not then I'll just go back to incandescents. __________________

03-24-2019, 10:45 PM	#4
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,575	I know you do not need resistors for LED side markers. But for the tails, I am curious of the best solution as I would like some LED bulbs back there as well. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

03-25-2019, 08:25 AM	#5
JBZL1 Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Kitchener ON, Canada Posts: 176	L.E.D bulbs draw less current than incandescent bulbs, so the car doesn't sense the power drain and assumes the bulb is dead.. an in line resistor will add the draw that the car is looking for and no fast blink or light saying check bulbs. I got a couple packs of resistors off Amazon for cheap.. __________________ 2012 ZL1 preproduction car #13 ROTO-FAB intake / IC reservoir , 2.85" upper , ported inlet

03-25-2019, 11:15 AM	#7
sixty9fordkiller Donkey Dick Cam Camaro Drives: 2010 2SS/RS LS3 M6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,998	just to add more information, the resistors will get really hot. Make sure you set them somewhere where it wont be close to anything that can melt __________________ Bone Stock

03-24-2019, 01:44 PM	#2
CHRISCAM Drives: 2013 Summit White 2SS/1LE Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: SoCal Posts: 118	I was interested in putting LED bulbs in my '13 too, so I sent an inquiry to Diode Dynamics (they're a member on this site too). I asked if a resistor is needed with the standard electrical circuit on these cars and they said "Yes, external resistor is required.". They have these inline resistors that attach to each bulb lead wire and clamp on. That takes care of the fast blink issue. I didn't end up getting the bulbs (yet), but I still might. Hope that helps!

03-25-2019, 09:59 AM	#6
tstodii Drives: White 2015 Z/28 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Charleston SC Posts: 208	Not to hijack but I have a brand new harness set that have resistors built-in that will work for 10-13 models. Accidentally bought them instead of the 14-15. These plug between the bulb and the OEM wiring harness so you won't have to splice in the resistor or use the wire tap device.

03-26-2019, 08:52 AM	#8
Badbubba GrINned & JUICEd Drives: 15STI, 10Expy, 10 2SS/RS M6, 47KB1 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,247	Will need resistors due to the low load of leds for the tail lights, it appears as a burned out bulb. They are not inline resistors, they need to parallel the led bulb. If they were inline, the circuit would draw even less current. If you don't want to splice into the factory wires, you can buy a trailer harness kit that T's into the circuit. You then splice into the harness wires. Iirc, you only need to add them to the brake/turn, not the parking lights of the circuit. Be certain there is enough brightness difference when having the tail lights on and then using the turn or brake lights. The cheap leds I first bought had almost no contrast. Brake and turn looked fine without the tail lights on, but could barely see the brake/turn with parking lights on. __________________ GPI SS3 Cam & stuff,N.O. Plate(dedicated fuel tank,progressive,fuel hose upgrade,remote opener,heater,console switches),LNC2000,CTAP,ARH 1 7/8" LTs/gutted cats/X pipe/mufflers,Jet Hot coated LTs,GPI HPT Tune,CAI, Scoop,Rx Catch Can,Gates heater hose relocation, Remote clutch & auto brake res,Metco loop,Momentum Tunnel Brace,TSW Nurb 18",555 & 05,Pfadt trailing arms & toe rods,Autometer WB,Fesler Pillar Pod,LED strips (int),Lloyds floor & trunk mats,LED DRL/front turn & license plate,DRL harness,VLEDs tail lights,Plasticoat Bowties. Ord: Oct 5, 2009 Rec: Nov 19, 2009 13.17@112.6 stock

03-26-2019, 11:04 AM	#9
Wizard1183 Drives: ABM SS2/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lafayette,LA Posts: 2,232	You would think if a company created these for a specific model, they'd come with the resistor already attached as they KNOW it won't properly work without it. Company should be held liable. If its not plug and play, I wouldn't want it. Shouldn't have to "make" a product work. It should just work... __________________ Life is short, drive it like you stole it!

03-26-2019, 12:16 PM	#10
Spec Account Suspended Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 4,018	I bought 2 sets of these for the same reason; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

04-14-2019, 06:12 PM	#13
mbesman Great White Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 251 View My Garage	not trying to hijack but I bought the hero tailights and now have a buzzing sound through radio. Would one of these resistors work and if so anyone know which to get. Its driving me nutz. __________________ [