Put a pair of LED tail light, stop light, turn signal bulbs in my 99 f-150. Followed the instructions and everything went OK and appears to be working. The only thing is that my turn signal flashes quite a bit faster than before. Has anyone else experinced this? Will it damage the computer or do anything else that might *%#+ me off? Hope santa was good to everyone!
fang180

 

I have no experience with them but if the flashers are blinking faster then it means the new bulbs are drawing more current than the old incadescent bulbs. Shouldn't hurt anything. The same thing happens when trailer lights are hooked up to a vehicles lighting system. The extra bulbs draw more current and the flashers blink faster. You might be able to get a trailer rated flasher and solve the problem

 

That's strange. I thought LED's are known for using LESS current.

 

Thanks guy I appreciate your prompt feedback. I go to autozone or somewhere and get a trailer rated flasher to see if it helps.
fang180

 

yea they draw such little amps the flasher thinks they are broken. i have them installed on my jeep and had to take the bulb out sensor out of the circut. on the jeep i actually just cut a connection on the circut board. but you need an adjustable flasher you can get them at autozone, or you can wire resistors in the circuit (pain in the ***). you might be able to fix your flasher if you can't find one that works

 

A HD flasher that has it's own internal flash timer rather than using the bulb current works best.

 

You can add load equalizers in line with the new LEDs. This will trick the flasher module into seeing the proper current. Load equalizers are very commonly used for the same thing on motorcycles with LED turn signals.

http://autolumination.com/equalizers.htm

 

I'm going to PepBoys this morning and buy a HD flasher. If it doesn't help I'll give the "load equalizers" a shot. I'm assuming that they're a commonly used item that's available in auto stores or motorcycle parts shops? Thanks for all the info guys, at the risk of repeating myself "that's what makes this such a great site".
fang180

 

You shouldn't need a load equalizer. Sounds like the bulbs you bought already have some sort of false load already in them, and they got a little carried away with a little too much load(quicker flashing is a sign of more load). The trailer flasher should fix it.

 

Well I went to Pep Boys and bought a heavy duty trailer flasher, installed it. Turn signals still flash at the same speed. I guess I'll just have to live with that one. Here's a little tip about changing the turn signal flasher in a 1999 ford f-150....DON'T!!!!! The upper and lower dash pieces around the steering column need to be removed and then there's still hardly any room to get at the flasher. The cover for the flasher unit is a bear to get off and the whole process should only be attempted by someone with the patience of Job and 10 inch long fingers. My advice is to take it to a garage and let them hassle with it!
fang180

 

i have a mechanical flasher in my f100. i switched to led taillights and they work just like the originals. auto zone sells a mechanical flasher that doesnt work by heating up and tripping on and off like a regular flasher, but it has a mechanical relay that flashes the turn signals.its clear and you can see inside it all the parts move. you cant tell if you have a burned out bulb with them though because they flash at a constant rate regardless of load. but led's will last virtually forever so im not worried about it. plus they make a click click that you notice- no driving down the road with your signal on cause you didnt hear it.

 

I'll check one out tomorrow. Thanks.
fang180