I just got LED 1156 rear turn light bulbs and due to the low power consumption blinkers go into this failure detection mode when it blinks twice as fast. Unlike some other people I really don't like it and shop around here recommended that I replace my flasher unit with a low power draw one(and told me any auto parts store would have it). Now, I think the flasher unit is located on the right of the internal fuse block. Is this thing standard part or something nissan invened for 2k+ max('cos it doesn't look like this round aluminium can with L shaped connecor I've replaced on couple of GM cars before)? Did anyone replace their flasher unit and knows the part number or something ?

 

I havent touched the one on my max yet, but on my sentra the relay looked like a rectangular, almost square black plastic piece screwed into a beam right under the steering column. im assuming that the maxima would use something similar, but dont hold me to it. the easiest way to find it is to take the panel under the steering wheel off, then turn your flashers on and listen to where the sound is coming from.

 

I thought normally flashers were in the steering columb?

SuDZ

 

You know what is easier than doing the whole flasher change? plus it is going to be hard to find one.

Just put a load on that circuit. Either by putting a bulb on it somewhere inside the trunk or putting a resistor and making it think there is a load on the system.

I seen this done on bikes that put these LED bulbs.

Dixit

 

Ok guys, here's the scoop:
I've tried a number of things to alleviate my fast blink problem due to the installation of 1156LEDs.
I’ve tried loading up the circuit but even though it worked it produced heat problems (My resistor array was at about 300F according to my infrared thermometer). That’s at 1Ohm resistance achieved through running 10 10Ohms in parallel). So I’ve scrapped that.

I’ve decided to concentrate on the flasher unit. After scouting the internet and local auto parts stores I’ve found out that my Maxima uses a type 53 blinker (with three widely spaced prongs like so | _ |. I was unable to find one without fault detection circuit. So I’ve looked at the voltages in the wires and decided to try a two right angle prong flasher – and it worked!

So here’s a write-up:
1. Go to the auto parts store and get an electronic flasher with two prongs (| _ ). I got Tridon LF12-K Loud flasher kit because it came with a mounting bracket, which came in handy.

2. Unscrew two screws at the bottom of the driver side lower dash and then pop it out from the center console towards the driver side door (According to Russ: Try popping straight out the right side first, then pop the left, it might take some elbow grease but pull hard, it won't break. http://www.5thgenmaximas.com/v1.html )

3. On the right side of the fuse box there are to relay’ish looking modules one blue, one black (further away from the fuse box). Leave the blue one alone and take off the black one – it is flasher unit. I put a flat screwdriver between the flasher top and it’s bracket to release the latch and slide it off). Disconnect it from the wiring harness.

4. Open the new flasher package and if you got the one I got – throw out the wiring harness they provided in a box.

5. Plug in the new flasher into the car’s flasher harness.

6. Try blinkers and emergency signals. If they work skip to step 8

7. If they don’t work rotate the flasher 90 degrees in the harness(so it uses other combination of prongs) . Try the blinkers and the hazards – should work now.

8. If you got the kit I told you to get: install the flasher bracket from the kit on top of the stock bracket with a machine screw through the latch hole in the stock bracket and put the flasher in the bracket. Else zip tie your new flasher to something so it doesn’t move around.

9. Reinstall the lower dash.

10. Enjoy

Max