LED parking lights / front turn signals - anyone done it?
2/28/10, 06:34 PM
#1
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LED parking lights / front turn signals - anyone done it?
The front turn signals that are integrated into the headlight housing use 3457 bulbs. I'd like to replace the filament bulbs with LEDs. Has anyone done this yet? I've always heard turn signals are a little tricky. I've already replaced my map lights, license plate bulbs, and trunk light with LEDs.
Last edited by Adam; 2/28/10 at 06:43 PM.
2/28/10, 07:20 PM
#2
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The only thing about using the LED's in a flasher is whether the flasher unit is LED rated. Most of the time you can get a replacement flasher that is LED rated. Of course just thinking about it, the tail lights are LED so the cars should already have a flasher that is LED rated so they should work just fine so long as the LED replacement bulb will fit through the opening in the housing. Some of those LED replacements are bigger diameter than the incandescent bulbs.
2/28/10, 10:21 PM
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I was looking into these:
LINK
May need a resistor? I'm not sure yet... plus I have the HID housing, don't know if that is any different, I would assume not tho... But I've been looking into it myself. Just not sure yet. For if it's a lot of hassle I don't mind the stock ambers.
BTW where did you get your license plate bulbs from?
LINK
May need a resistor? I'm not sure yet... plus I have the HID housing, don't know if that is any different, I would assume not tho... But I've been looking into it myself. Just not sure yet. For if it's a lot of hassle I don't mind the stock ambers.
BTW where did you get your license plate bulbs from?
2/28/10, 11:12 PM
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3/1/10, 07:28 AM
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I was researching about installing LED front turnsignal bulbs on my 2011 Mustang (if i ever get to order it). The web sites i've looked at said you 'might' have to add a resistor for each of the bulbs or you might have 'fast flashing' of the turnsignal. I'm sure someone on this forum has done this.............Do the LED front turnsignal bulbs work good on your Stang?
3/1/10, 08:17 AM
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As Ltngdrvr mentioned, typically you have to install a new flash module so that it doesn't "Hyper Flash". However, as he also mentioned, since our tail lights are LED perhaps this isn't needed in our case.
SuperBrightLEDs.com has a large selection of 3157 bulbs here. 3457 (listed in manual) and 3157 seem to be interchangeable. I'm tempted to try one of the bulbs below.
Does it make more sense to get White LEDs or Amber LEDs? The lenses are already amber but I'm worried white might be intense enough to create a "hot spot" in the lens that appears more white than amber.
SuperBrightLEDs.com has a large selection of 3157 bulbs here. 3457 (listed in manual) and 3157 seem to be interchangeable. I'm tempted to try one of the bulbs below.
Does it make more sense to get White LEDs or Amber LEDs? The lenses are already amber but I'm worried white might be intense enough to create a "hot spot" in the lens that appears more white than amber.
3/1/10, 09:07 AM
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18-LED 16mm Wedge Base Tower bulb (Amber 3157-A18-T) $17.95 each
25-LED 16mm Wedge Base Bulb (Amber 3157-A25) $7.95 each
Last edited by Adam; 3/1/10 at 09:29 AM.
3/1/10, 11:47 AM
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One issue I've seen with LED map lights and reverse lights is that the LEDs remain very dimly lit when the bulb is supposed to be OFF. I'm not sure if this would occur in the turn signals.
Last edited by Adam; 3/1/10 at 12:26 PM.
3/1/10, 12:52 PM
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Then it looks like the only two bulb choices from SuperBrigtLEDs.com are below. I've ordered from them before and have nothing but good things to say. Fast and reasonable shipping plus great prices.
18-LED 16mm Wedge Base Tower bulb (Amber 3157-A18-T) $17.95 each
25-LED 16mm Wedge Base Bulb (Amber 3157-A25) $7.95 each
18-LED 16mm Wedge Base Tower bulb (Amber 3157-A18-T) $17.95 each
25-LED 16mm Wedge Base Bulb (Amber 3157-A25) $7.95 each
3/1/10, 02:33 PM
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The front and rear side markers use 194 wedge bulbs. Definitely doable but they might be a pain to access. Edit: According to our manual, the rear side marker assemblys pop out using a flat blade screwdriver.
One issue I've seen with LED map lights and reverse lights is that the LEDs remain very dimly lit when the bulb is supposed to be OFF. I'm not sure if this would occur in the turn signals.
One issue I've seen with LED map lights and reverse lights is that the LEDs remain very dimly lit when the bulb is supposed to be OFF. I'm not sure if this would occur in the turn signals.
And yea, I know my map lights stay veryyyyy dimmly light, (not really noticeable...) and can't be too much of a drain, I think. My reverse lights, I mean it seems that since there's already LED bulbs in use, that there's already a resistor installed so the bulbs don't glow. Cuz I haven't noticed any...
3/1/10, 02:44 PM
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And yea, I know my map lights stay veryyyyy dimmly light, (not really noticeable...) and can't be too much of a drain, I think. My reverse lights, I mean it seems that since there's already LED bulbs in use, that there's already a resistor installed so the bulbs don't glow. Cuz I haven't noticed any...
3/1/10, 03:02 PM
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BTW which 194 bulb would you think for the side markers both fronts and back... ?
I'm thinking to go with the WLED-x4 at a 32 degree as it's more focused? as opposed to 90 degree...
But for 79 cents each I may just buy the WLED-X at 90 degrees and compare for the hell of it.
3/1/10, 03:10 PM
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Hmmm, I'll take much closer look into it then.
BTW which 194 bulb would you think for the side markers both fronts and back... ?
I'm thinking to go with the WLED-x4 at a 32 degree as it's more focused? as opposed to 90 degree...
But for 79 cents each I may just buy the WLED-X at 90 degrees and compare for the hell of it.
BTW which 194 bulb would you think for the side markers both fronts and back... ?
I'm thinking to go with the WLED-x4 at a 32 degree as it's more focused? as opposed to 90 degree...
But for 79 cents each I may just buy the WLED-X at 90 degrees and compare for the hell of it.
This is what I want to avoid:
Last edited by Adam; 3/1/10 at 03:26 PM.
3/1/10, 03:29 PM
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Ahh that's very true. Cancel my decision! 
You know, nicely they have all the exact measurements of each bulb so I'll def measure the original bulb once I get around to it (plus see if there's extra room)... The xHP5's are 25.35mm the xHP's are 20.1mm.
I'm thinking the xHP's will be the safest bet... But once the original is measured, like you said, can't say for certain
You know, nicely they have all the exact measurements of each bulb so I'll def measure the original bulb once I get around to it (plus see if there's extra room)... The xHP5's are 25.35mm the xHP's are 20.1mm.
I'm thinking the xHP's will be the safest bet... But once the original is measured, like you said, can't say for certain
3/1/10, 04:31 PM
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Ahh that's very true. Cancel my decision!
You know, nicely they have all the exact measurements of each bulb so I'll def measure the original bulb once I get around to it (plus see if there's extra room)... The xHP5's are 25.35mm the xHP's are 20.1mm.
I'm thinking the xHP's will be the safest bet... But once the original is measured, like you said, can't say for certain
You know, nicely they have all the exact measurements of each bulb so I'll def measure the original bulb once I get around to it (plus see if there's extra room)... The xHP5's are 25.35mm the xHP's are 20.1mm.
I'm thinking the xHP's will be the safest bet... But once the original is measured, like you said, can't say for certain
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