So I installed LED back up lights and LED Brake lights from Super Bright LEDs.com. They are all bright and look great. The reverse lights seem to work normally, but the brake lights start to blink when the turn signal is on, and occasionally even the opposite side blinks. Anyone have experience like this? Do I need to go back to traditional bulbs? Swapped out the interior bulbs and they all work fine. Also, I bought the "Switchback" bulb for the brake light- no idea what that is but maybe that's the issue?
LED Brake Lights- acting weird
- Thread starter Soulman
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I tried Super Bright LEDs long ago and had similar issues. Basically cheap junk like the eBay/amazon made in China stuff.
Switchback bulbs are typically designed for use in front turn signals, giving a white parking light and switching to an amber turn signal. They aren’t intended for brake or tail lights.
I’ll say this, you definitely get what you pay for. I have used VLED’s products exclusively since about 2012 and the couple times I’ve had issues, they resolve them immediately. There is also a 30% sale at the moment.
Ed_C
Senior Member
Sounds like the switchbacks are causing your "backfeed" issues. Return them and get red Sylvania ZEVO (not their basic model line) or Philips Vision (not their current North American Ultinon line which are nowhere near as good as the originals sold in the Japanese market). The ZEVOs are available locally at Advance Auto and Autozone while the Philips can be found at Pep Boys, cheaper online though.
While I am a proponent for VLEDS stuff they're a little on the pricey side, especially their Tritons. The ZEVOs and Visions are my go-to for "plug-in" brake light bulbs.
PS I do use SuperBrightLEDS for interior and some 921 bulbs. They're the few companies that offer warm white in BA9s and festoon (map and dome light).
While I am a proponent for VLEDS stuff they're a little on the pricey side, especially their Tritons. The ZEVOs and Visions are my go-to for "plug-in" brake light bulbs.
PS I do use SuperBrightLEDS for interior and some 921 bulbs. They're the few companies that offer warm white in BA9s and festoon (map and dome light).
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Ed_C
Senior Member
Yes, same with the Philips
phattyduck
Elite Member
The running/brake lights should not 'talk' to each other - the circuits are totally separate... except for the ground connection. Make sure the ground is clean and tight behind each rear interior trim below the tail lights.
-Charlie
-Charlie
JoeT4R
Senior Member
I will happily +1 this, as I have Sylvania ZEVO LED’s in almost everything that can accept them. They are in my opinion the best you can get in terms of quality, brightness, longevity, no issues, etc.
I’ve used SuperBright, I’ve used vLEDS, not impressed. Just my .02
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Second question first: I can’t say enough good about VLED’s. They are designed well and perform as expected for the price. I’m not affiliated with them, other than to say I’ve been a customer for 12 years or so, and I spend my hard earned money on the products. It’s all I use. (See my build thread for more info).
Resistors - yes, you’ll need them for turn signals, but not for brake/tail or reverse. Some products require wiring in resistors for turn signals, whereas the VLED’s products have plug & play resistors available when needed.
Edit: I just realized you’ve got a 3rd gen model. In my 5th gen the turn signal flasher is integrated on the body control computer module. On your 3rd gen you likely have a plug in turn signal flasher. If so, you can buy a replacement plug in flasher that is LED compatible. It will be a simply way to resolve this, but I caution against cheap stuff. Diode Dynamics appears to have one (CF15) that’s currently on sale for $16
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The headlights do not need anything, their product is plug & play.
Some will speak ill of LEDs in reflector housings, but it comes down to two factors; proper aiming of the light and quality design of the led product. I have met the VLED’s guys (Jake & Eli) and they designed their headlights to place the chips in the same location as whet the traditional halogen filament would be, so the light is coming from the right place inside the headlight housing. I’m a big fan.
For what it’s worth, I’ve been upgrading the lighting in my vehicles since 1980 and I’ve learned quite a lot. In my build thread there are several lighting upgrades, which may give you some ideas.
Hoppy’s build thread - 2022 ORP
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...ead.php?t=308118&share_type=t&link_source=app
Ed_C
Senior Member
No need for load resistors if you replace the flasher with a LED-compatible one (they're available for 3rd-gens). On a vehicle with a non-replaceable flasher I do prefer/use VLEDS' resistors over the usual gold ones sold everywhere.
If you do decide to order from them I highly suggest this bulb for the 3rd brake light Best, Brightest LED Brake Light Bulb, tried their 36-chip one and wasn't impressed and their most expensive Triton is too deep to clear the tailgate. Their 921 Triton switchback (converts the reverse light into dual function reverse and signal) is tempting too 16-23 TOYOTA TACOMA MESO TOTAL TAIL STAGE 1 UPGRADE V6 TRITON SWITCHBACK 921
The third brake light- how many of those bulbs does it take? I opened it and see that there is one bulb..
The rear blinkers- I have seen the video with their resistor and am leaning toward the Triton that has the resistor pre-wired. Have any of you guys used that model and if so, where did you mount the resistor? Seems like not much room behind the housing for it.
Thanks for all the replies and info!
Hoppy- I checked your build and it looks great! Sent a link to my buddy who is picking up a white 2013 with 76k miles on Friday.
The rear blinkers- I have seen the video with their resistor and am leaning toward the Triton that has the resistor pre-wired. Have any of you guys used that model and if so, where did you mount the resistor? Seems like not much room behind the housing for it.
Thanks for all the replies and info!
Hoppy- I checked your build and it looks great! Sent a link to my buddy who is picking up a white 2013 with 76k miles on Friday.
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unless things have changed over the years.....many years ago I tried an LED in my 3rd brake light, and it triggered the abs light on dash, . Similar if the 3rd brake light burns out it will trigger the ABS...so put stock back in and light went off.
other than that one light, I am running LED brake flashers back up and parking lights. Used the LED flasher relay.
other than that one light, I am running LED brake flashers back up and parking lights. Used the LED flasher relay.
Ed_C
Senior Member
Just one
Not on the 4Runner but I'm running Extreme ambers in the front signals and standard V6 (Extremes weren't available yet) switchbacks in the tails so they're also additional reverse. According to their specs the switchbacks' amber is 200lm dimmer, but they're still very bright. I have a LED flasher so no resistors, but VLEDS does sell extension wires for their resistors.
I'm running all LED brake light bulbs and no ABS or other issues. 3rd brake light has the VLEDS 921 I mentioned before and ZEVO or Philips in the tails.
