LED Brake Lights

[CrazySteve911]

I havent exactly seen any information here regarding LED brake lights and how well they function.

It's about time for me to replace my bulbs and was wondering if i should go with LEDs. And if so, what color would put out the most light, as my taillights are blacked out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lbishop]

racerxxl and fink and several others are running l.e.d tailights from http://www.makotoautotrends.com/pro...=8050&osCsid=cafe4f4af063c3f2929604f2fc895de8

 

[Alex Davenport]

I run the led replacement bulbs from auto zone. They work well.

 

[Scott Peele]

I had a long conversation with a rep from superbrightleds.com about this. I ordered tail lights from them and they work except for not getting brighter when the brakes are applied. The rep seemed to think that there may be a polarization compatability issue between the led and the socket. It's possible that the socket switches polarity when the brakes are applied, and the LED only works one way. Here is a transcript of my chat with the rep:

Welcome to superbrightleds.com, Ryan will be right with you.

Ryan:
Hello, How may I help you today ?

Scott:
Hi! I am looking to replace the tail lights in my 2004 Nissan XTerra. The ones I ordered don't have the brake light function, so when I step on the brakes only the third brake lights come on. Any suggestions?

Ryan:
which ones did you get innitially ?

Scott:
I believe I ordered the 3157-x45-T. The incandescent lamp is a 3157LL.

Ryan:
let me check some things. one moment

Ryan:
There is mention of a resistor being needed here: http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18818#

Ryan:
let me look further

Scott:
I installed one for the turn signals, they work correctly now

Ryan:
I am referrign to on teh brakes

Ryan:
If possible check your socket to make sure it does not switch polarity when you hit the brakes

Ryan:
the 45 LED is polarized and will only work one way

Ryan:
if the socket changes polarity it will not enable the brake mode.

Scott:
Not sure how to do that. Is the LED I have designed to illuminate brighter when the brake pedal is pressed?

Ryan:
Yes in standard sockets, but some vehicles change the contacts around for different functions

Ryan:
Our 18 LED tower here is non polarized and wold work either way

Ryan:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ed-bulb-dual-intensity-18-smd-led-tower/802/#

Scott:
Is that lamp recommended for that application on my vehicle? It says it is desigbed for interior applications

Ryan:
actually just found this, http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36860# so it may be something other than the sockets

Scott:
If I try those lamps and they don't work what is the return policy?

Ryan:
well according to that post even teh 18 LED bulbs would not light the brakes

Ryan:
so there is something else special in that system

Scott:
Perhaps I should just stick to the originals there. I do have LED's in all three 3rd brake light sockets as well as the reverse lights and they work perfectly. Also, what LED flasher do you recommend for my vehicle?

Ryan:
let me check on that

Ryan:
this shows cf13jl-02 http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1857/dscn0384v.jpg#

Ryan:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/more...13jl-02-led-bulb-electronic-flasher/783/837/#

Scott:
okay, I'll try that. I have load resistors installed but I would rather use the correct flasher. Thanks!

Ryan:
If you have additional question please let us know in the future. Have a great Day !

Scott:
Thanks Ryan!

 

[Muadeeb]

There are three contacts for the tail lamps: gnd, marker (1st click on headlamps), and stop. The marker lamp goes out when the brake pedal is pressed.

Sent via wild ferrets on crack

 

[Prime]

Interesting note on the brake lights. Those are the only bulbs I haven't swapped yet on the back. I'm waiting for VLEDS.com to release their new redesign. Do we have that as fact that the hot for the brake is fed in backwards from the running light? If so, would it be possible to rewire them?

I've seen some of the full LED replacement housings but I don't like the style of them as all the ones I've seen make the rear turn signal red instead of amber.

Also, pretty sure that's my hand in the picture holding the flasher that I bought from superbrightleds when I did the rear turn signals. Heh.

Edit: Yep. Found the post over on CX
http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?p=303049#post303049

 

[CrazySteve911]

I bought some leds, and they too do not light up when the brakes are hit.

This is upsetting. I may cry.

 

[Prime]

I picked up a pair of these:

http://www.vleds.com/bulb/3157-red.html

The work perfectly in the brake lights. And are a LOT brighter than stock. So that's a confirmed solution to the "no LED brake light problem"

 

[Xterraforce]

Prime, did you get the standard base or the CK base?

 

[Prime]

Standard base all the way. The CK base stuff is mostly newer Toyota's

 

[Xterraforce]

Thanks for the info. All LED rear lights will probably be the next thing I do.

 

[MurphyX]

I replaced all of my stock lights with LEDs and got them all working. The only issue I ran in to was the cruise control not working with the LED atop/tail lights.

 

[Ghettomedic]

I replaced all my lights with LED. The only issue I had was polarity, flipped them over and everything worked fine. LEDs also come in different brightness', the store shelf ones are usually not very bright but if you order them from someplace like SuperbrightLED it will show you a scale. Mine are definitely bettery than stock bulbs