Turn signals not working properly after replacing tail lights with LEDs

Tiny
DOUGLASLAU
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 163,000 MILES
I Replaced the original tail light bulbs with LED. The turn signal bulbs blink once and then stay on. I used 2057 bulbs. Do I have the wrong bulb or do I need to do something else?
Monday, April 5th, 2021 AT 7:47 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

You can't mix LED bulbs with incandescent. Also, LED lights require a small amount of power which normally causes the signals to hyper flash. If you plan to install LEDs in the rear, you need to replace all bulbs that are on the same circuit. Also, (and I'm not an aftermarket lighting specialist) I believe you have to replace the original flasher with a LED flasher. That leads us to the next problem. This vehicle signals are controlled by the body control module.

What that means is a resistor needs to be placed between the power supply and the LED bulbs.

I wish I had an easy answer. I'm sure there are customizing shops that do this on a regular basis. Let me know if you have additional questions.

Joe
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Monday, April 5th, 2021 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
DOUGLASLAU
  • MEMBER
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Thanks for getting back to me. Seems this is a bit more complicated than I thought.
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 7:44 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
LOL. It really isn't. You could try replacing all the related bulbs with LEDs. However, the signals will likely hyper flash (blink really fast). The vehicle is designed to flash the signals double-time if there is a burned-out bulb. LEDs require so much less power, the system will think there is a bad bulb.

Let me know if I can help you in any way.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2021 AT 6:57 PM

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