FOGeologist

Just replaced my Euro tail lights with standard stock lights - and in handling the bulbs while lit, I reflected how ridiculously inefficient incandescent lights are. Darned things get HOT and frankly aren't that bright (insert blonde joke here).

Anywhoo, what happens if I obtain some 3057 LED tail light bulbs? I assume I'd need some kind of resistor inline that provides enough resistance to actuate the 20th-Century-era flasher circuit, right? IIRC some LED replacements are dimmer than stock incandescents. And you need red bulbs to shine red through the red reflectors, because that's how optics work, correct?

Every time I look up the topic on the inturwebtubze I just get 532 pages of ads for ridiculously-overpriced Chinese-made tail lights. Don't want those - just LED bulbs in an engineered solution, please. Suggestions?

hyperv6

I am not a big light Fanatic. But my turn signal housings were melted like they all do from the heat of the stock bulbs. I up dated these with switch back and then put in a Hyperflash unit so there were no need for resistors.

I got though work Oracle bulbs for the tail and head lamps that were correct and indexable so no one gets blinded from the crappy chinese cheap bulbs. The side markets and I also did the interior bulbs for more light.

The only issue I had was the head lamps the head lamps would not close unless in high beam. The light on the dash had enough resistance to close them,. I used as someone on this site did a relay and an extension harness for one light and now they operate perfectly.

I really do not like having hot resistors around in a plastic car. Also I did not want to cut any factory wires.

You will see many reasons and excuses here for upgrading but the melting housings and the weak yellow head lamps were my call.

MSG C5

No cons. The OEM halogen lighting technology was already outdated near the end of the C5 production run. Install a quality LED housings kit and don’t look back.

FOGeologist

not interested in spending $300 on buying new tail lights.

Just looking for LED bulbs - looking like I can do this but will need a hyperflash harness to do this without incurring the resistor issue.

hyperv6

You just need bulbs for the tail lamps you have. No need for these custom ones unless you see something you like. I like the stock with just bulbs. The Hyperflash is a perfect edition.

MSG C5

Resistors cause extra heat so it's best to go with the hyper-flash harness installed under the steering column. I swapped out all my exterior halogen bulbs for LED and never experienced hyper-flash. I recommend the units sold by Forum Vendors Sharp Light Innovations or JW motoring. Can't recommend specific LED bulbs as I chose the full housings.

Good luck.

c5arlen

Purhaps if one would realize that this GM (car) should NOT be driven at night for safety reasons.... Like the useless "headlights" may cause permanent eye damage trying to see where the hell you're driving at night. Just park it and take the Ford.

FOGeologist

If I recall, you’ve posted this unhelpful conspiracy theory before. It’s silly and inane, and beneath the standard of the forum.

c5arlen

I apologize to you for the indiscretion of my outburst of dissatisfactions regarding General Motors headlight engineering. One must keep ones GM emotional outburst in check. 😕

ChiefBoats

Had the LED replacement bulbs, not bright enough for me. Went full lense LED lights, plenty bright, no hyperflash.

killain

I tried last year to go full LED, with the hyper-flash harness, and personally, it sucked. I had a number of warning on the DIC, coupled with getting the bulbs to operate on my all OEM 2003 Convertible, and I went back to OEM bulbs. The chase wasn't worth the run !

FOGeologist

This is a helpful reflection… I heard a similar comment on a YouTube comment stack.

Makes me fearful of changing anything at all.

FYRARMS

OEM Euro lenses/housings installed in my car. Bought simple LED replacement bulbs for the brake lights and turn signals, and a hyperflash harness. My lights are more than bright enough, even with my lenses being tinted. If you can't see me at night, you must be blind.

hyperv6

You may find someone having issues often they are buying LED stuff off EBay and a who knows where it came from and the quality.

gobwith known brands or vendors look for bulbs that are designed gor fluted housings and can be indext

My conversion was pain free. I also called the mfgs for help on what yo use.

The trouble today is so many companies. Are led bulbs and people know little about them the technology is changing fast. Also the quality can be all over.

Educate, ask questions and do this smart. Too many go in not knowing anything and get burned. ]

3sACROWD

Red CREE bulbs will give you the tail light illumination without the heat. I also did the front turn / DRLs. Installed a hyperflash unit and have had no issues.

Vader_C5

Get a quality brand LED bulb with a hyper flash harness under the dash; all plug-and-play for a nice upgrade.

USAZR1

This. I went with the Vette Lights front and rear turn signal set-ups.

Mr. Black

I am running the el cheapo 14 dollar each LED full replacement RV tail lights. At first I absolutely hated the lit appearance. Unlit is excellent. The light output is excellent when in sun or glare. So no worries there. After I had them on long enough I quit caring. I don't drive behind this car to care what it looks like as long as it gets people to do what they need to do behind me.

Front has Radio Flyer sold switchback LEDs.

Some kind of generic hyperflash harness was already installed in the car when I bought it.

I have zero complications or weirdness.

MSG C5

Yep. I installed the Vette Lights front corners and chose not to use their resistors as I already had my hyperflash harness installed from my original LED conversion back in 2012. I then replaced my original LED Halo rear tail lights with the Vette Light rear LED tail lights and rear side markers and didn't use their supplied resistors for those lights either. I thought it was silly to remove one source of heat (halogen bulbs) and replace it with another source of heat (resistors) that can burn into plastic trim or other wiring they may come in contact with. Been running a full exterior LED/HID conversion since 2012 with no codes or faults thanks to the harness.

killain

I got the Hyper-flash harness at one of the forums vendors and the LED bulbs were top shelf item and despite that once all in and buttoned up I kept getting a DTC indicating a fault with one of the rear License plate lights, tore it all apart installed new Good quality LED bulbs and I got tired of looking for an answer and just took it all apart and reinstalled all Sylvania OEM bulbs and not a single issue, so I just want to enjoy the car as is, I'll stay off the back roads at night, but most of my long distance travel is on the interstates and their very well lit in the places I travel ? I'm in the not looking for troubles mode !