Thanks for the ideas ...
You are right, the only time they are bad is when the backup light is the only available light. I'll try try the brake or flasher idea.
As to LED in the backup lights, NOPE, not happening. I read about the Acadia problem and have tested LEDs on newer Chevy vehicles. Even with ballast resistors they can cause problems with the computers. At least in my vehicles, others folks may get different results.
My thought was to add secondary backup lights, like we did "back in the day", but with newer components. The plan being:
1) Mount thin LED spot/floods in back. Probably in the space between the rectangular exhaust outlet and rear bumper cover. No cutting of cover.
2) Tap into existing backup bulb and hook up to transistor controlled relay. New ones draw very little current from signal source, especially when considering that the source is a light bulb.
3) Run a fused 12V power line from front battery/power block to rear relay.
4) Goal is to have them fire up in reverse without making the computer go nuts.
The biggest hump seems to be getting to the actual rear backup bulb line. The backup is on the opening hatch. Looks like skin the back panel to get to the bulb, then run a signal line from there, through the rubber control line boot, then down and back to the relay.
Does anyone have a wiring diagram so I could tap in to the backup bulb hot/signal line while still in the body (not door)?
I'm gonna go gently on this since I am still under warranty. Probably add a hidden "kill switch" to disable if I have to go to dealer for work.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Quote:
I notice this when the only light available is the backup lamps. My guess is the backup lamps are not powerful enough, an infrequent and minor inconvenience for me. In a pinch I'll ride the brake or throw on the 4 way flashers for additional lighting from the brake LEDs.
If considering brighter LED substitutes for the white reverse lamps you are taking a chance of killing the battery. The reverse lamps are part of the perimeter lighting system and if the resistance of the circuit does not match the resistance of the tungsten/halogen stock lamps, the circuit remains active even after the lamps are timed out and the continuous drain will kill the battery..........TSB related to this for '17 Acadias.