Troubleshooting Dim Turn Signals After Installing Load Resistors

Question:

After installing led turn signals, and getting hyper flash, I bought Sylvania 50w 6ohm resistors. When I installed them the hyper flash stopped and they blink normal, but now you can barely see them they are both so dim. its odd that both sides are acting t he same way, makes me think its not an install issue. your thoughts?

asked by: Josh F

Expert Reply:

It sounds like the ground connection may need to be improved. You want to make sure you have a bare metal to metal ground free of corrosion or debris. Load resistors should not have caused them to dim when installed properly. I've attached a photo of the installation for the Putco load resistors # DI34ZR to assist. If you did install this way, let me know and we can continue to troubleshoot.

expert reply by: Jason S

click to enlarge

Steve B.

2/5/2020

Hi thanks, Im actually hust about to go out and look into it. Would you recommend grounding the resistor to the signal light ground wire or chassis ground? Its currently on the ground wire. Ive also looked around and the only resistors I can find are 50w but 6 or 8 ohm. I have the 6 but if the other 2 I have sont work Im guessing I can try the 8 ohm ones?

Jason S.

2/7/2020

You will want to ground the resistors to the chassis bare metal to metal for the best result. The 6 ohm resistors # P230004A-2 have worked without any issue when connected to a good ground. Grounding the resistor directly to the chassis ensures you have a connection free of corrosion, debris, and even paint to ensure the best ground for that resistor to work well with that positive signal wire. A little sand paper can go a long way. You can then protect that area if desired with paint once connected or with dielectric grease like # LT37534.

Steve B.

2/4/2020

Hi I recently installed resistors for my LED taillight signal lights, they worked wonderfully for about 4 or 5 days then each of them went back to hyperflashing. I havent taken the taillights back off yet to check but Im doubting that both sides experienced a install failure so close in time to each other. What could be other causes of failure I may have missed?

Jacob H.

2/5/2020

It still could be possible that both sides do not have decent grounds. I would remove the ground from the body of the vehicle and clean the area of the body panel of any paint or corrosion where they attach and reinstall the ground. The resistors could have also gone bad if they were the wrong ones for your lights. I would check these two things and let us know if there's anything else we can do to help.

Greg W.

8/23/2020

@JacobH I am having the same issues with recently installed LED turn signals. They are stand-alone signal lamps (LED). I originally installed the resistors (6ohm/50watt) between the power and ground wires of the lamps as in the right hand illustration in the "correct" box. Three returns/grounds from the rear turn signals and license plate lamp merge into one. Since you'd mentioned a possible ground issue, I tried the installation as in the left hand illustration ensuring clean metal where grounded. I checked the resistance from the ground points to the negative post on the battery and it is less than 1 ohm. The signals on the side with 2 good resistors (one has apparently gone bad and checks at several meg ohms) flash at a normal rate, but are still uselessly dim. Any ideas? Thanks!

Greg W.

8/23/2020

@JacobH Sorry, left out some info. When the resistors are installed the tail light and license plate lights flicker in time with the signal lamps.