Trailer Turn Signals Hyper Flashing After Replacing Incandescent Tail Lights with LEDs

Question

Question:

After installation my turn-signals flash to rapidly. Do I need to change the flasher relay or what do you recommend?

asked by: John D

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

When a tow vehicle is equipped with a bulb-out sensor, the addition of LED trailer lights can cause hyper flashing like you describe because LEDs draw much less power than incandescent bulbs do. This fools the bulb out sensor into thinking that a bulb is burned out. If the circuit was drawing too much power, a heavier duty flasher would be needed, but in this case you have the opposite.

You can install load resistors like part # DI34ZR on the right turn/brake and left turn/brake circuits on the trailer, which should add more resistance and prevent the hyper flashing. I have linked you to the install instructions for the load resistors.

expert reply by: Mike L

1

Answer 1

Yes you can change non-self adjusting brakes to self-adjusting brakes. In order to recommend some brake assemblies, I would need to know the drum diameter. For example if you have the 10 inch drum with the 3500 lb axle, you would need the Right Hand…

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Answer 2

My suspicion is that you have a poor ground connection somewhere on your trailer. The fact that everything works fine until the running lights are turned on is the dead giveaway. When the tail lights are turned on, the trailer lighting is drawing…

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Answer 3

If your current brake assemblies have a 4-bolt mounting pattern then you likely need the Nev-R-Adjust Brake Kit #23-468-469 (10") for 3,500 lb axles. Since the Brake Kit #23-464-465 (12") that you referenced has a 5-bolt mounting pattern it…

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Answer 4

The Diamond LED Light Bulb Load-Resistors #DI34ZR are designed to fix the hyperflashing you are experiencing though they do need to be installed on the circuits of the affected lights. You are going to need to determine if those circuits are…

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Answer 5

You may not even need load resistors to switch to LED lights. The best thing to do is to try the lights without load resistors first. No need to purchase something you may not need until you know need it. Load resistors such as #DI34ZR dissipate heat…

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Answer 6

It could be a bad ground or a short. You will have to check the grounds on each of the trailer lights and on the trailer connector. The lights usually ground through the mounting studs. If there is any dirt, corrosion, or rust it could cause a bad…

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Answer 7

You will first want to check the fuses on your tow vehicle. Some vehicles could have fuses for operating the turn signals and brake lights of a towing package. You will want to check if they are installed and working properly. The next thing is to…

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Answer 8

It sounds like you have a bad ground connection. If all ground connections are not making good contact to bare metal, when the brake pedal is pressed and the tail lights are on, the increased amperage draw will make this problem show up. You will…

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Answer 9

What you describe is a classic symptom of a insufficient ground connection. Then there is minimal amperage running through the system, everything works fine but with the brake signal thrown in, more power is running through which is when the problem…

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Answer 10

Your problem is in the wiring in one of two places. It is either on the vehicle wiring harness or somewhere in the wiring on the trailer. The first thing to do would be to narrow it down to one of these two places, then we can pin-point the problem…

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Answer 11

When changing from incandescent or halogen type bulbs to LEDs, load resistors are required. For the blinker circuits you can use load-resistors like the Putco LED Light Bulb Load-Resistors #DI34ZR to prevent hyperflashing of the blinkers. This kit…

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Answer 12

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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