LED replacement tail and turn signals
09-17-2004, 07:37 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 17
LED replacement tail and turn signals
After being almost blinded by Acura TL's on the freeway, I decided to replace my tail and turn signals with LED bulbs. Does anyone know if they make the proper bulbs in a LED?
The TL's are all LED (so it seems) and boy they are BRIGHT! Plus the color is awesome!
Thanks!
The TL's are all LED (so it seems) and boy they are BRIGHT! Plus the color is awesome!
Thanks!
09-17-2004, 09:15 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,809
09-17-2004, 02:35 PM
#4
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 412
I've tried the LEDs from www.superbrightleds.com. Not too bright in my opinion. I went with PIAAs instead. I think I still have the LEDs around if anyone is interested.
09-18-2004, 10:45 AM
#5
Are you guys talking about replacing the bulb with a cluster of LED's?
I had done that in my previous car and the problem I found is that I didn't get any reflection around the inside of the lens. Although it was bright it was just a bright center dot and didn't have the effect of the TL or the G35. I would be interested to see how they would work on our cars, after my first experience, I was over it but you guys have sparked my interest for sure.
Here's another cool LED site to check out, a lot more do it yourself LED stuff here:
http://www.theledlight.com/index.html
I had done that in my previous car and the problem I found is that I didn't get any reflection around the inside of the lens. Although it was bright it was just a bright center dot and didn't have the effect of the TL or the G35. I would be interested to see how they would work on our cars, after my first experience, I was over it but you guys have sparked my interest for sure.
Here's another cool LED site to check out, a lot more do it yourself LED stuff here:
http://www.theledlight.com/index.html
09-19-2004, 02:50 AM
#9
Originally Posted by Soul Fly
Has anyone tried taking apart tails?
There are a few 4th gen guys that have done DIY LED tails, but I don't remember who....
09-19-2004, 06:15 AM
#11
2004 Smoke
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 205
The new BMWs have really high tech lights - front and back. The rears are all LED, really bright, and have dual brightness feature (brighter when braking hard to let drivers behind know they are in a fast brake situation). I bet this last feature will become standard on all cars in the future.
09-20-2004, 05:21 AM
#12
meh
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,188
You know, the only problem with those taillights that glow brighter in panic stops, is that....is the 60yo guy in the '85 Caprice, or the 44yo woman in her 02 Rendezvous gonna know that? or care? Not too many ppl are gonna know about this probably for a while, and I've not seen any advertising or anything by BMW in commercials or anything to make the general public awares of this....so what good's it gonna do? They'll probably rear-end your butt anyways and complain to the officer that you "were doin' funny things with yor taillights" and it was distracting, if they even notice anything at all.
Ppl are stupid about things like that someimes. I remember reading a reader write-in for some car magazine in which some guy wrote that he thought that the Ford Focus hatch's taillights should not be so high up, because it looked farther away that they really were or something like that, and that he has accidentally almost rear-ended one because he was "misled". OK, maybe the guy needs glasses, I personally have never had that problem, but just goes to show you, people are retards.
On a side note, what good are cool techie taillights if the rest of the car is so damn butt ugly?
"For me to puke on!" - Triumph
edit: My comments were directed towards the newer BMW's, NOT 6th gen, sorry to come across as such.
Ppl are stupid about things like that someimes. I remember reading a reader write-in for some car magazine in which some guy wrote that he thought that the Ford Focus hatch's taillights should not be so high up, because it looked farther away that they really were or something like that, and that he has accidentally almost rear-ended one because he was "misled". OK, maybe the guy needs glasses, I personally have never had that problem, but just goes to show you, people are retards.
On a side note, what good are cool techie taillights if the rest of the car is so damn butt ugly?
"For me to puke on!" - Triumphedit: My comments were directed towards the newer BMW's, NOT 6th gen, sorry to come across as such.
09-20-2004, 06:39 AM
#13
jealous? or just in denial? Don't worry, your car is still great and it's not cheating to accept your infatuation of the 6th Gen. Maybe you're commenting on the focus or bimmer, but regardless I love everything about my 04 Max. I like all max's which have gotten even better each gen.
09-21-2004, 05:28 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 103
Originally Posted by Maxceler8
You know, the only problem with those taillights that glow brighter in panic stops, is that....is the 60yo guy in the '85 Caprice, or the 44yo woman in her 02 Rendezvous gonna know that? or care?
Ppl are stupid about things like that someimes. I remember reading a reader write-in for some car magazine in which some guy wrote that he thought that the Ford Focus hatch's taillights should not be so high up, because it looked farther away that they really were or something like that, and that he has accidentally almost rear-ended one because he was "misled". OK, maybe the guy needs glasses, I personally have never had that problem, but just goes to show you, people are retards.
Ppl are stupid about things like that someimes. I remember reading a reader write-in for some car magazine in which some guy wrote that he thought that the Ford Focus hatch's taillights should not be so high up, because it looked farther away that they really were or something like that, and that he has accidentally almost rear-ended one because he was "misled". OK, maybe the guy needs glasses, I personally have never had that problem, but just goes to show you, people are retards.
Meanwhile my next door neighbor who is in his 20's is total threat to the safety of roads, driving with agreesive, reckless abandon. How old you are is not a shame or a sin and is no guarantee of how you will react in any situation.
09-21-2004, 09:38 AM
#16
meh
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,188
Indeed, I wasn't aiming it to you or Lightonthehill, or anyone else on this board. Most of the ppl on the forums here seem to have their common sense and wits about them. These ppl I speak of are the "ordinaries" those who don't know much about their cars, or care much, as long as it gets them from A to B. I know that these people exist, my grandma and my mom are two such people, all they care is that it runs, and is reliable, and safe. They don't care about the build quality, the performance, or award-winning engines, or generations of the cars. A car is a car to these people, a tool of transportation, whereas if you're like me, and most of the others on this board, this is not the way you feel about your car. Well, wholly, anyways. My car is my transportation, but it's beyond that also.
I wasn't out to offend anyone here, I apologize if I did. I was just making an example out of the main population, most of which aren't afficionados.
I wasn't out to offend anyone here, I apologize if I did. I was just making an example out of the main population, most of which aren't afficionados.
09-21-2004, 11:31 AM
#18
I had my tails out to change rev bulbs. The whole assembly comes off but there was only access to bulbs by turning and pulling, leaving a whole. Didn't check if I could open it any further.
As far as the LEDs coming on quicker/brighter for panis stops, I don't think other cars are intended to know that. It just shows them faster/earlier that you're slowing/braking .
As far as the LEDs coming on quicker/brighter for panis stops, I don't think other cars are intended to know that. It just shows them faster/earlier that you're slowing/braking .
09-21-2004, 12:00 PM
#19
Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 71
Originally Posted by kevlo911
Someone needs to find out if you can open hte tails, so they can be like mine.
with the LED tails, and I wanted to have my tails replace to LED... but I don't know If i can do it myself or to have autoshop install for me...how did u do it???
09-21-2004, 12:55 PM
#21
Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 71
Originally Posted by nick wolff
are you guys just looking for the tail lights? or are you looking to replace the front turn signals as well?
if you're looking to replace the front, then i got you guys
if you're looking to replace the front, then i got you guys
09-22-2004, 11:10 PM
#25
Someone needs to get to the bottom of this and figure out if you can even get in there to insert an LED board (I know someone on the .org is just itching to get in there, with my luck I'd break the whole thing!!), seeing as you have to take off the front bumper or the front wheels to change a headlight, who knows what nissan did back there. Plus the '04 lenses are much clearer than kevlo's, might be hard to do a clean install....
09-23-2004, 05:04 AM
#26
Originally Posted by jsmithsole
Someone needs to get to the bottom of this and figure out if you can even get in there to insert an LED board (I know someone on the .org is just itching to get in there, with my luck I'd break the whole thing!!), seeing as you have to take off the front bumper or the front wheels to change a headlight, who knows what nissan did back there. Plus the '04 lenses are much clearer than kevlo's, might be hard to do a clean install....
09-23-2004, 08:18 AM
#27
Originally Posted by Maxima80
no you don't. you access the bulbs from the engine bay. for custom work inside the assembly maybe you have to remove it then, but switching bulbs just takes patience. I switched my fogs and they're lower then the turns.
09-23-2004, 04:09 PM
#29
Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 71
Originally Posted by kevlo911
You first need to find out if you can open your tails, if you can I am pretty sure you can have tails like mine.
09-24-2004, 02:56 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 951
Originally Posted by nick wolff
are you guys just looking for the tail lights? or are you looking to replace the front turn signals as well?
if you're looking to replace the front, then i got you guys
if you're looking to replace the front, then i got you guys
09-24-2004, 05:18 PM
#32
He just teased us with the sexy pics, leaving out the night/light ones and not responding. Either he got whites (no, no here too) or the chrome ones that blink amber? I thought I saw a bulb somewhere that was chrome and only light up when blinking. That would be best. I've seen come cars that the amber only shows when turning.
11-30-2004, 04:53 PM
#36
I thought I'd bring this thread up from the dead because it still interests me, and I'm not sure if anybody has messed around with the idea of replacing the rear signals with LED's...
I tried to find the replacement tail-stop-turn bulb for our cars, it says in the manual 3057K, this bulb seems pretty rare and there are definitely no LED's in this format.
Does anybody know what other name or what other bulb can be used for our tailights?
I found a 24 1157 LED that looks like it might work functionally because it has 18 LED's aiming straight out and 6 side mounted so you would get the proper reflection from the tail light lens, it's just a matter of how bright they would be. Look at first detailed bulb on the page. I just don't know if it would fit...
http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm
Let's get this going!!!
I tried to find the replacement tail-stop-turn bulb for our cars, it says in the manual 3057K, this bulb seems pretty rare and there are definitely no LED's in this format.
Does anybody know what other name or what other bulb can be used for our tailights?
I found a 24 1157 LED that looks like it might work functionally because it has 18 LED's aiming straight out and 6 side mounted so you would get the proper reflection from the tail light lens, it's just a matter of how bright they would be. Look at first detailed bulb on the page. I just don't know if it would fit...
http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm
Let's get this going!!!
11-30-2004, 09:50 PM
#37
I did a search on google for "3057 led light" and I came across this site saying:
3157-SR SUPER BRIGHT RED LED BULBS:
Replaces all 3056, 3156, 3356, 3456, and 3457 bulbs.
Replaces all 3057, 3157, and 3357 bulbs EXCEPT those requiring the 3157-SRCK
here is the site http://www.wixtools.com/html/led_lighting.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
i went to that site superbrightleds and read their notes: copy and pasted for others to read as well.
NOTES CONCERNING TAIL/SIGNAL/BRAKE LED BULBS
PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING LED BULBS:
For best results the LED color should be the same as the lens color. A red lens wil filter out all but the red portion of the light so if the light is all red, none or very little light will be blocked by the lens
LED brake/tail lamps may not work with some thermal flasher units due to their extremely low current draw. These installations will require an electronic flasher unit, available at your auto parts store. Try to find flashers designed to work with LED bulbs, often HEAVY DUTY flashers will
LED bulbs may cause some newer vehicles to indicate a bulb is burnt out (because of their low power consumption). Some cars indicate this by increasing the flash rate of the turn signals, some turn on a bad bulb indicator.This can be remedied with our Load Resistors wired across the turn signal bulbs to simulate a filament bulb load. We have these available by our LED turn signal bulbs in our online shopping cart
LED bulbs are generally not as bright as standard incandescent bulbs, they have many advantages over filament bulbs (longer life, faster on/off times, lower power consumption, more vivid colors) but brightness is not one of them
Do not use LED bulbs in the same housing with head lamps, the heat will cause them to fail quickly
Some of our bulbs are available with 12, 19, 24 or 30 LEDS, obviously the more LEDs the brighter
Some of our bulbs are available with Narrow or Wide viewing angle. The Wide angle (approx. 100 degree beam) will light up more area but dimmer than the Narrow angle. The Narrow angle (approx. 15 degree) will illuminate a smaller area but brighter than the Wide angle
For aftermarket use. May not comply with SAE or U.S. DOT standards
3157-SR SUPER BRIGHT RED LED BULBS:
Replaces all 3056, 3156, 3356, 3456, and 3457 bulbs.
Replaces all 3057, 3157, and 3357 bulbs EXCEPT those requiring the 3157-SRCK
here is the site http://www.wixtools.com/html/led_lighting.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
i went to that site superbrightleds and read their notes: copy and pasted for others to read as well.
NOTES CONCERNING TAIL/SIGNAL/BRAKE LED BULBS
PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING LED BULBS:
For best results the LED color should be the same as the lens color. A red lens wil filter out all but the red portion of the light so if the light is all red, none or very little light will be blocked by the lens
LED brake/tail lamps may not work with some thermal flasher units due to their extremely low current draw. These installations will require an electronic flasher unit, available at your auto parts store. Try to find flashers designed to work with LED bulbs, often HEAVY DUTY flashers will
LED bulbs may cause some newer vehicles to indicate a bulb is burnt out (because of their low power consumption). Some cars indicate this by increasing the flash rate of the turn signals, some turn on a bad bulb indicator.This can be remedied with our Load Resistors wired across the turn signal bulbs to simulate a filament bulb load. We have these available by our LED turn signal bulbs in our online shopping cart
LED bulbs are generally not as bright as standard incandescent bulbs, they have many advantages over filament bulbs (longer life, faster on/off times, lower power consumption, more vivid colors) but brightness is not one of them
Do not use LED bulbs in the same housing with head lamps, the heat will cause them to fail quickly
Some of our bulbs are available with 12, 19, 24 or 30 LEDS, obviously the more LEDs the brighter
Some of our bulbs are available with Narrow or Wide viewing angle. The Wide angle (approx. 100 degree beam) will light up more area but dimmer than the Narrow angle. The Narrow angle (approx. 15 degree) will illuminate a smaller area but brighter than the Wide angle
For aftermarket use. May not comply with SAE or U.S. DOT standards
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