Solution for Rapid Signal Flashing on Utility Bed with LED Lights

Updated 11/09/2017 | Published 11/08/2017

Question:

Added a utility bed with led tail lights and they blink fast and low draw when truck is off

asked by: Jeff

Helpful Expert Reply:

It sounds like you may just need to install some load resistors on the turn signal circuits of your truck. The hyper flashing you are experiencing occurs sometimes with LED lights because they only draw a fraction of the power that a standard incandescent does. On vehicles with a bulb-out sensor, they are essentially tricked by this and think that a bulb has burned out, which in turn causes the rapid blinking. The same symptom occurs if you were to have incandescent bulbs and they were about to burn out on the vehicle.

For load resistors, I recommend the Diamond LED Light Bulb Load-Resistors # DI34ZR. This will include 2 load resistors, one for each turn signal, and feature a durable aluminum construction. I have attached the written installation instructions that you can check out.

The low draw that you also mentioned having is not unusual for efficient LED lights, as they can illuminate even with an extremely low power draw that might still be present for a while after turning the vehicle off.

expert reply by: Chris R