I need to install some in line resistors to my turn signals so they will work properly, and Ive got some in line resistors, how do I install them? my instructions say to connect the 2 "factory wires" but that dosent tell me if I use the hot or cold or ground wires, so how do I install them?

also, is it legal for turn signals to not be amber?

Miles

 

The resistors will just get hot and draw extra current so the mechanical flasher will work with the LEDs. What you really should use is an electronic flasher, available at any parts store.

And yes, they have to be amber - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal...y_Standard_108

 

I'm installing LEDs on the brake lights in my 08 C6. Since the brake lights flash as turn signals, the flasher needs to see the electrical resistance of incandescent bulbs to work correctly, which is the exact same problem you're talking about.

For a parallel connection, take the hot wire going to what used to be an incandescant bulb, connect one end of the resistor to the hot wire and connect the other end of the resistor to ground.

However, my LED conversion kit does not have in-line resistors (series resistors), it has a resistor to be put in parallel with the LED bulb. This is the correct way to wire in a resistor. A parallel circuit allows full voltage to be applied to the LED's while the parallel resistor creates a low resistance pathway to draw the extra current required to operate the flasher.

The problem with LEDs when it comes to operating in an old fashioned blinker circuit is that the LED's actually have a high resistance, even when glowing brightly. They don't draw very much current and they run very cool (actually usually cold). Adding an in-line resistor will just go to increase the LED resistance seen by the flasher and make it's performance worse.

To connect your resistor. Connect on end of the resistor to the "hot" wire going to what used to be an incandescent bulb. Connect the other end of the resistor to a ground wire. Install the LED. Now the resistor will be connected in parallel with the LED.

 

My LED taillights work brilliant no resistor needed, just a simple $8 flasher from autozone.. make sure it says electronic flasher...not heavy duty or thermal, electronic.

 

are my emergency flasher and the turn flasher the same size? I think for some reason that my emergency flasher is electronic, can I switch them?

Miles

 

Both need to be electronic flasher for the LED lights to work correctly

 

When building LED circuits, you MUST limit the current to the LED's or you will burn them out immediately. This is done with SERIES resistance. The size of the SERIES resistor is determined by how many LED's are connected in series and the applied voltage. Some LED's have the series resistor built in.

PARALLEL resistors are used to create a LOAD. When you use the correct size parallel resistor in a LED conversion, it has the same circuit load as a incandescent bulb. This configuration is used to create a "drop in" conversion intended to use with whatever flasher is already installed. You can either use an ELECTRONIC flasher as has been suggested, OR use a load resistor (PARALLEL).

It is not an "either one or the other" thing. Each configuration has a specific purpose. In some cases (such as what 68/70Vette has) both series and parallel resistance is used.

This is a very simplistic explanation to help people understand a little more about the construction of LED circuits. There is a TON of great information out there if you want more details.