How to Keep LED Turn Signal Lights on Toolbox From Flashing with Brake Pedal Pressed

Updated 03/01/2024 | Published 01/31/2024

Question:

HI, have a converter in my 2021 gmc , everything works good, have LED lights as side markers on my toolbox, question is , the LEDs blink for a split second when i push brake pedal, double checked ground all good, 4 way flashers dont flash as bright as when turning. The converter is a 3 wire to 2 wire, not using the brake wire. Thanks

asked by: Richard Y

Expert Reply:

Hi Richard!

It sounds like you're needing to install the Load Resistor Kit for LED Turn Signals # DI34ZR on the turn signals you've installed on your toolbox.

Since LEDs don't require as much power as incandescent bulbs, sometimes we see some power "leak through" and cause the LED lights to flash like what you're experiencing. The resistor kit makes the LEDs "look" like incandescent lights to your wiring system so this kind of thing doesn't happen.

expert reply by: Jon G

Installation Diagram of Load Resistor Kit for LED Turn Signals
(click to enlarge)

Richard Y.

2/14/2024

Hello Jon, finally have time to work on my truck lights, installed load resistors, didn't solve the problem. I have 2 small LEDs on each side tied together and tied to the proper lead from the 2 wire to 3 wire converter. Hope you believe that there are no dumb question cause hear comes one, where do the resistors connect ? maybe i i don't have them correct. Thanks, Rick

Jon G.

2/19/2024

@RichardY Definitely not a dumb question at all! I went ahead and added a photo to the initial answer that shows the proper way to wire the load resistors. Let me know if you're still having issues and I'll be happy to help you look further into this!

Richard Y.

2/27/2024

Hello Jon, no luck getting the lights to work properly. I put the load resistors between right turn/brake line going into the 2 way to 3 way converter , didn't help., then put the resistors between the right turn or left turn and ground, didn't help. Does it matter that i'm using the 4 pin flat trailer connection to power my Leds. The Leds work fine for turning but not when using 4 way flasher, still get mini flash on opposite turn Leds. If i convert my truck rear lights to Leds would that solve my problem ? Thanks for your help.

Jon G.

2/28/2024

@RichardY You said the initial problem was the LEDs flashing when you used your turn signals, but I believe now you're saying they work fine for turn signals - correct? Just wanting to make sure I understand everything clearly; what function are you using when you say the LEDs don't work when you use the 4-Way flasher?

Richard Y.

2/28/2024

@JonG Hi Jon, sorry for the confusion. Yes, turn signal Leds work , but when i apply brakes there is a very short flash on the opposite side Les. With turn signals off and i apply brakes there is a short flash on both sides Leds. With turn signals off and 4 way flashers on, both sides Leds only flash for a couple seconds and they are not very bright or and they don't flash at the same time as the truck tail lights. I sure thank you for your help.

Jon G.

2/29/2024

@RichardY No worries, just making sure I understand! Okay, so if the load resistors aren't able to fix this issue then the next step seems to be checking the converter itself. Start off by connecting a light to that stop wire to see if it's able to self-correct, and if that doesn't fix the issue then the converter itself might be bad and it would be helpful to reach out to that manufacturer to see if this is something they have come across before. Let me know what converter you have and I can reach out to the manufacturer if it's someone we carry to get their take on the situation.