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Front turn signal to LED

10K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  combatcrab 
#1 ·
All, I've searched and was unable to find any articles for replacing the halogen front turn signals with LEDs.


I have 2019 Premier and wanted to make the turn signals LEDs. I've done this before on other vehicles but the 2019 Traverse wiring is a little different and was hoping someone here has a write up as to which color wires would be used for the resistors and a part number for the LED replacement or switchback...


thanks
 
#4 ·
Backup lamps, front directionals are part of the perimeter lighting system on time delay substitute LEDs and you'll likely kill your battery. If you do not get the resistance of the LED assembly correct the lights will go out after the delay but the circuit will not go to sleep and slowly drain the battery. Want to try - go ahead, but make sure you have a battery charger.



LEDs can be substituted for the fogs because they are not on a delay circuit.
 
#8 ·
Well, Thomcat is right, they are on a perimeter system and are always on. I was fooled when I replaced one side with an LED and no lit LED...once I put both in, the notorious always on was set. I had to put the OEMs back in. Fail...

So in order to fix the always on I will need resistors but I do not know which wires to use for the resistors, so someone has done this, please share.

Thanks.
 
#12 ·
I did the LED bulb conversion for my reverse lights. Just like stated, once both LED bulbs were installed, the bulbs stayed on and also triggered my reverse camera to come on. Thinking ahead I figured I'd need resistors so ordered them when I ordered the LED bulbs. Once I saw the bulbs were staying on I took them off while installing my resistors. After doing one side something told me to try out the LED bulbs again. I did and to my surprise everything worked as it should.
I did this a week after getting my 19 Traverse Lt ,so July 14, 2019, so I knew nothing about the parasitic draw till today that I found this forum.
To this day I've had no battery issues whatsoever so I'm guessing everything works like it should and I have no battery draw or is too little to notice. I will check my battery when i get a chance just to verify. Even though my traverse sits in the driveway for 4 to 6 days out of the week while I'm at work, it starts and operates fine just like the first week I owned it before the full led conversion minus the headlights and front turn signals. (I have a Toyota pickup I drive to work for those wondering)
I have pics of the installation I can dig up from my old phone if anyone is interested. Sorry for the long post but if you made it this far...HOORAY! lol
 
#9 ·
My last post was for the reverse lights...


Adding to the front turn signals, before I invest into the 7440, I noticed when the blinker is activated the LED DRL goes off. So my question, does it matter or would I need a resistor? I guess, no resistor but I'm not sure this circuit is single or shared and would require a resistor to eliminate the continuous on after the car is turned off?
 
#10 ·
Several senior posters here have mentioned the problem with replacing the few bulbs left with LEDs. It seems to be a challenge.

On older vehicles a LED swap was simple.
Then the computers got smarter and ballast resistors were needed.
Seems the newest ones (2016+) do even more validation tests and resistors do not always work.

The only way I have found to make it work on my 2019 (YMMMV) was to install a complete voltage regulator to power each LED, see my post on puddle lights. To date that SEEMS to have prevented the failures caused by the computer never going to sleep due to LEDs.

BUT - that is not a "plug in" solution to changing bulbs. You would need to wire in a new miniature circuit board before the actual bulb in the housing. Once in it might work with your LEDs. They draw minimal current. If you took out the LEDs and put back the filament bulbs, then that board might not be able to supply the bulb current without a heatsink.

One application I did was install a regulator in a short pigtail. Male AMP plug -> regulator -> female AMP plug. On the vehicle cut the bulb line and put in plugs. Install regulator bit and it worked. Need to go back to bulbs take it out. Lot of effort, but it was a fun build. Yet I don't think you want to go to that effort just for some LEDs.

BOTTOM LINE - if getting LEDs in becomes a problem on the newer cars, then it will be solved. Once it becomes a problem that has a big enough market that wants it solved, they will add a small intelligent circuit to the the LED bulb. Then they will be plug and play in the new vehicles. But they won't be a $0.50 to $1.50 replacement bulbs.

It all get down to market and money.

... jpmg ...
 
#11 ·
I researched several LED makers and found Lasfit 7440 bulbs with CANBUS Anti-Hyper Flash. No load resistor needed (built in resistors), Amber with 1 filament and 1 connector per side. Upgraded intelligent temperature controlled version.


So far after a day, no battery drain, works with flashers, awesome color for blinkers and throughout the night I checked the garage for any residual light in the dark and nothing. Seems to be a perfect replacement for the OEM bulbs.


The ONLY difference....when the blinker is activated, the DRL LED DOES NOT GO OFF...it remains ON... Again, no issues yet, all lights and electronic functions are operating.


If anything changes I will post but for now, so far...ok.


I got mine for $44.00 https://www.lasfit.com/collections/...w21w-led-turn-signal-lights-canbus-error-free


Same place I got my Fog Lights for $31.00


Total cost for both, $76.98 to the door.
 
#14 ·
A couple of follow ups... 1) what wire (color) and side (driver or passenger) did you put the resistor to eliminate the constant "on"? and 2) the LEDs I posted are not bright enough to blind people... You're talking about blinkers... As for the Fog lights, you need them bright, at least where I live, fog, and not a lot of city lights. But this is an opinion and IMO, they are great if you want to see at night. And, I haven't had anyone flash me with their brights while I have my turn signals on...
 
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