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      06-28-2013, 12:27 AM   #1
Glideslope
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LEDs for inner/outer brake lamps?

Hi guys, anyone have any luck replacing their outer/exterior and inner brake lamps (P21W/H21W) with no-error, CANBUS LEDs?

I've seen LED solutions for the front & rear turn signals and reverse lights, but nothing yet on the brake lights.

Appreciate your help!
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      06-28-2013, 08:25 AM   #2
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From what I have read, it is the same bulbs as the rear turn signals.
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      06-29-2013, 12:41 AM   #3
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Viking mentioned something about the resistor overheating making replacement of brake lamps a non-starter. I'm curious if anyone's tried this and has any experience.
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      06-29-2013, 12:53 AM   #4
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#4 - http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/

If you try it, post your results
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      06-30-2013, 11:31 AM   #5
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I used no error bulbs that were canbus and had built in resistors. They run good as blinkers, but not well as brake bulbs (outer housing). After 2 days of using them they would regularly overheat and dull. This also resulted in a "brake light malfunction error" which only went away after the bulbs cooled down. The best thing to do if you want to use LED's in your brakes is to use LED's that are only canbus and splice in Resistors into the wiring. The best spot to splice is in the trunk behind the wiring harness, but be careful as there are 3 circuits and only one is for the brakes.

As for the inner housing I didn't bother with a LED bulb as I didn't feeling like slicing wires on my brand new car. I just used amber versions of the standard bulbs to give the brake a more bright red look. Get's rid of the stock off pink color nicely.

That said I will say if you do plan to go the LED route for your brake lights, then don't use white bulbs. The white light will look rose pink through the red housing and will generally look in a manner other then manly. Just saying...
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      06-30-2013, 11:37 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve33 View Post
#4 - http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/

If you try it, post your results
Make sure the part will fit P21W(outer) H21W(inner). Only the CANBUS bulbs will not cause an error. To get rid of the hyperflash and random every 5 min blink a load resistor will also need to be installed. Resistors built into the bulb tend to over heat and cause a malfunction error. Use only red LED's for brakes unless you like fairy pink, then total go for it...
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