Just converted the exterior of my R53 to LEDs, including all turn signal bulbs. The emergency flashers work normally, but actuating either left or right turn signals cause hyperflashing. I know you can wire load resistors in parallel with each bulb, but I'd rather use a flasher unit to slow them all down. However, I read here that R53s don't have physical flasher relays, instead using the body control computer to pulse them. Is this really true? What causes the relay-type clicking I hear in the dash when the turn signals are on if they relay doesn't exist?

 

Anyone have any insight? It's kind of an annoying issue. I'm thinking about taking apart the dash again and checking the inside of the speedo for the relay, I can hear something in there. When I replaced the speedo for my dads car, the note of his turn signals changed, so there must be a relay in there.

 

i thought the turn signals were controlled by the body control module? in our Mazda5, the turn signal "click" comes from a speaker in the instrument cluster. not sure if the minis are the same.

 

Yeah, that's what the thread I linked said. That's really too bad, I don't want to have to wire in load resistors for each bulb.

 

There are so-called "canbus" LED bulbs that have an integrated resistor.

A word of caution... many aftermarket LED bulbs are very dim. Check that you can actually see them on a sunny day.

Here's the speaker on the back of the speedometer. In addition to the turn click, it also emits other various sounds (warning pings, etc).

 

Oh, excellent! I had completely forgotten about canbus bulbs, I'll order some for the turn signals. That will fix my hyperflashing, won't it? And yes, my bulbs appear to be plenty bright, at least brighter than the stock incandescents.

That's interesting about the speaker, didn't realize some cars did that.