when upgrading the stop/tail lights to LED, do I need to add a load resistor as well? I heard that without the load resistor, the cruise control might not work as it uses the load current from the brake lights for trigger (ie LED uses lower current than regular bulbs)

Those that have done such an upgrade, can you confirm?

thank you

 

An R53 doesn't have bulb out detection, and no load resistor is needed for stop/tail lights. However, the turn signal will hyperflash without a load resistor.

I've never heard that about the cruise control, and it makes no sense. It would mean the cruise control won't work properly if the brake light bulb burns out. I'm sure that the cruise control uses the switch at the brake pedal.

 

makes sense....thank you.

 

ok. just installed the LED brake/tail lights. They look brighter, but the tail lights flicker. The flicker goes away when the brake lights turn on (when pressing on the brakes). do you think the load resistor will resolve the flickering?

 

Did you get lights that are designed as tail and brake lights? Sounds like they are single brightness and are being under driven without the brakes.

 

Yes I beleive so. I am using super bright Leds - 1157-R45-T Red

 

The only way I have been able to solve flickering led lights is by running power through a relay directly from the battery. Try hooking the lights up to the battery and see if it flickers. I have tried to solve this problem on dodge Rams but it only worked for me when I make my
Own circuit.

 

I would say yes, a load resistor will stop the flickering. It sounds like a low level current is running through the circuit even when no brakes are applied, not enough to be visible with a filament bulb, but just enough to make an LED bulb flicker. It doesn't have to be a full load resistor that simulates a standard bulb, but a low value resistor that is just enough to stop the flickering. Also, if you use a full load resistor it will draw as much power as a regular bulb.

Khai's suggestion with a relay will also work, but takes more effort. If you go with a relay, you can even use standard bulbs because the bulbs will completely bypass the BC1.

 

good news...i notice that once warmed up the flickering disappears