Anyone use an LED decoder on the turn signals?

S

SCY7H3

Member
Location
Toronto, Ontario
Car
2012 FX35S AWD
Hey guys, has anyone tried using an LED decoder instead of resistors to wire up LEDs for the turn signals?

Here's an example:

DSC_9393__95459.1377556931.1280.1280.jpg
 
I have been using resistors for years with no issues. These decoders look alot simpler to use. If these work just as good, i would use these. I like the fact its plug and play.

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It's easier, cheaper and more assuring that the boiling hot resistor won't melt things around it especially in the summer. How are you wiring the resistors? In series on the positive wire or between the positive and negative wire? Seen both.. My issue is with the resistor getting really hot.

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how much is the LED decoder? I made some DIY resistors using materials from radioshack and it came out to $5. Of course not as neat as the decoders but had no issues of it melting anything.
 
Not bad at all. Im with John on this one... would probably just get the decoders the second time around. Much cleaner.
 
What i'm curious though is the side that plugs into the headlight housing is a standard design...not the bulb plug, the four tabs that you twist into the headlight housing to hold it in...
 
The socket is difference between the 7440 and 7443 is just two shorter tabs in comparison, I forgot which is which though. On the 1st Gen, I have a DIY to swap the turn signal into the rectangular DTRL. Since the socket difference, I trim down the tabs on the rectangular DTRL socket with a box cutter so it fit into the original turn signal spot that is longer. Given that, this "universal" socket must be using the same idea.
 
Hmm so if you install LEDs in the front turn signals you are going to have issues? I'm assuming super speed blink? I just installed LED reverse, rear corner lights and fogs without a problem - havent gotten a chance to pop on the front LED DTRL and turn signals yet. Any recomendation as to where to get these decoders?
 
The issue with turn signals is that regular bulbs put a higher load on the circuit, so when you switch over to LED's, the lower power consumption causes the relay inside the BCM to work faster thus making your signals blink faster. To counteract this you need either a resistor or an LED decoder. The only thing I don't know is how the actual socket looks like that plugs into the headlight. i'll be checking that out tomorrow and buying a set. I'll post photos once I confirm this. Reverse, corner lights and fogs aren't an issue since they don't blink and our cars don't have any system that checks if they are functioning correctly like BMW, mercedes, etc have.

---------- Post added at 10:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:58 PM ----------

The curiosity was killing me so I popped the hood and took out the amber bulb from my headlight confirming the plug and the tabs on the plug are exactly as pictured in the decoder above. I'm ordering a set for now and a set of brighter LED amber bulbs. Then when I confirm the decoder works as planned i'll get another set of decoders and LEDs for the rear.

I had an 7440 amber LED laying around and plugged it in, I was getting a hyper blink. So that confirms this.
 
EBay, let me post a link..

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---------- Post added at 03:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:32 PM ----------

Search for this ebay auction I'd 181063090276

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Be careful which ones you buy, some use a different plug that goes into the headlight. And the one I have, the wired are sealed from the elements. Others have an opening between the wires that can be an issue. I looked at a lot of them, and the one I liked most was the one in that eBay ID

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