We don't need no stinking LEDs!

My truck has been flashing the 27 code for a while now and its inspection was expiring soon. I decided to go ahead and get this thing fixed. I took it apart and was surprised to find an incandescent bulb instead of an LED. I tested for power at the legs of the bulb and tested for continuity across the bulb. The bulb was definitely blown. I went to the Radio Shack and I couldn't find an LED that was rated for the amount of power needed. I didn't really have, nor did I want to spend, very much time on this project. So, I went back home and started working on a different fix. I needed to find something else to satisfy the ABS computer. I estimated the amount of resistance provided by the bulb, grabbed a 150 ohm resistor, and soldered it across the bulb leads. I put it back together, and everything works fine. Afterall, the computer doesn't know if there is a light on, it is just looking for a circuit and the right amount of resistance. I'm not sure if this solution has been posted before, but I figured I'd throw it on here anyway.

Thanks for reading! Hope this helps someone.

 

cool fix man. I went through the same thing, few months back, and ended up soldering in a 12v LED, anything else wouldnt work, no matter what resistors i installed with the bulb.

I dig the idea you came up with, but would not work for me. My daughter (6yrs old) loves riding in front (has her own window), and if i was to get pulled over, i can atleast show, the airbag is off/on...

 

Here is a picture of my fix:

 

Yeah, a 12v LED would have been optimal, but my RS didn't have any. I'll change it to an LED if I ever need the light.

 

Can't you just go to the Ford dealer and buy a new bulb?

 

I doubt it. They don't usually sell indivitual parts of components like that. The bulb was soldered in, there was no socket. Even if they sell it, I wouldn't have been able to get one at 5pm on a Sunday when I had the truck apart.