LED Lighting upgrade

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Mrfix71

TYF Newbie
Joined
May 21, 2015
Posts
16
Reaction score
1
I had to remove the headlight housings to troubleshoot and replace an aftermarket HID headlight ballast on my '07 Tahoe LTZ. Since I had so work so hard to get the housings out enough to get access to the back (problem #1), I decided to upgrade the other bulbs to LED and got the Sylvania lifetime warranty ones to match the incandescent ones. However, when I put the LEDs in, neither the driving, nor front turn signals work, and the tail turn signals flash really fast. Put the old bulbs back in and they all work normal.

Any ideas since these LEDs are supposed to be plug and play? Just wasted about 4 hours trying to get this simple upgrade done.
 

Ex Euro Driver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2014
Posts
221
Reaction score
59
So few LED bulbs are truly plug and play. The voltage is different for LED’s so the truck thinks there is a bulb out. The rear is hyper flashing which is by design so the user will ideally check for a burned out bulb on the side that’s affected. The fix is having to wire in resistors on all LED bulbs.
 

BG1988

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Posts
2,967
Reaction score
1,350
So few LED bulbs are truly plug and play. The voltage is different for LED’s so the truck thinks there is a bulb out. The rear is hyper flashing which is by design so the user will ideally check for a burned out bulb on the side that’s affected. The fix is having to wire in resistors on all LED bulbs.
you have to get the BCM reprogramed to use LEDs so it does not hyper flash
 

Joseph Garcia

Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
7,484
Reaction score
10,212
LEDs have a directional current requirement, meaning that they will only work when inserted into the bulb socket in the proper direction. Unlike incandescent bulbs, which can be inserted into the bulb socket in either direction and work, the LEDs will work in only one direction in the bulb socket. If you insert the LED into the bulb socket, and it does not light, remove the LED and rotate it 180 degrees and re-insert it into the bulb socket, and it will work.

As stated by BG1988 and EX Euro Driver, hyper flash can only be eliminated by a reprogramming of the BCM, or by the installation of resistors in series with the wiring of the bulb socket. Reprogramming the BCM is not trivial or cheap, so you will need someone else to do it. The resistors can be purchased online, usually at the same site that you purchased the LEDs, or at some of the local auto parts stores.

Personally, I kept the hyper flash, as I believe that it is more noticeable to other drivers on the road, when signaling my intent to make a turn. I understand that hyper flash is illegal in some states, so you may want to check out the regulations in your state.
 

Javie

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2017
Posts
102
Reaction score
57
Location
Burbank Ca.
You might wanna check your local auto parts store to see if they carry an Led electronic flasher that’s compatible with your vehicle . I know they make them for all 99-06 Tahoe’s and Escalades . It’s the flasher responsible for all of your signal lights . Not too certain on your specific year .
 

ATLPPV

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2019
Posts
40
Reaction score
35
Location
NC
You might wanna check your local auto parts store to see if they carry an Led electronic flasher that’s compatible with your vehicle . I know they make them for all 99-06 Tahoe’s and Escalades . It’s the flasher responsible for all of your signal lights . Not too certain on your specific year .
The 07+ don't have a relay cube for the flashers, they are computer controlled.
 

Mapper

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jan 5, 2020
Posts
3
Reaction score
2
On my 07 Yukon I did not go full led, just interior lighting, backup bulbs and headlights.
A very noticeable improvement, there is a very slight flicker with the interior lights, but not enough to concern me.
Interior lights were 330 lumen, backup bulbs were 1400 lumen, and I used beam tech led for headlights.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,723
Posts
1,873,209
Members
97,553
Latest member
AceDawg

Latest posts

Top