Replaced Tail Lights with LED - Question

Hi all. I replaced my rear brake and turn signal bulbs with LED replacements on my 21 SR5 DCSB. Now, when the headlights are on (they are LED now too) the signals flash faster like it thinks they are out. They work fine, but flash faster and only when the headlights are on. Anything to worry about or just accept it as is? Thanks.

 

Prob need resistors

 

Real bulbs provide resistance. LEDs provide minimal resistance, confuse lighting controls.

 

Makes sense. Thank you.

 

Not quite. LEDs provide too much resistance, so the truck's BCM thinks it's a burnt bulb. Resistors with less resistance than LEDs are wired in parallel to draw more current to simulate filament bulbs.

 

Proceed with caution and take a few minutes to watch this video before you attempt to fix this issue. Try and watch it to the end to see the actual cause of the failure. It's worth it. I learned a lot and was amazed at the complexity of the wiring in these trucks now and the expensive damage this seemingly simple/innocent mod did to it.

Scary.


https://youtu.be/FPKN25EpN6s?si=c_juuwdHDFC7aLIw

 

yeah you’re going to need resistors. check out @Diode Dynamics or @VLEDS they have good stuff to solve your problem.

 

Summary of the video for those who did not watch: the truck with an issue had wires cut-and-spliced. He did not condemn trusted makers of quality LED aftermarket assemblies that simply plug into existing connectors. Still, he advised research and caution ...

 

Lesson learned: don't wire resistors incorrectly, then substitute blown fuses with higher-rated ones...

 

Clarification: The new tail lights had a hyper-blink and brake/taillight issue after installation. The owner attempted to remedy with the install of suggested resistors to correct. Result was the loss of the fuse junction/relay block and $750 and very fortunate not to lose the $$$ body control ECU on the 2023 Tacoma as well

Lesson: If you install something like this and it doesn't work perfectly right out of the box/plug-and-play: remove it and return it for a refund.

 

i bought four so-called "error-free" led bulbs from Amazon. they actually work, in a way.

if i installed two led in the back, with the two original halogen in the front, the four of them all blink correctly.

if i installed all four of them in the front and the back, they blink like crazy.

if anybody knows why, please advise.
thanks.