I'm told to use LED's in my taillights, I must change my flasher unit. I've tried searching for this flasher unit(varible load flasher) at parts stores in my area, and as expected, their knowledge is less than _! Does anyone have a part# that I could search out? I tried searching the older discussions, to no avail. Must I change my 4-way flasher unit as well? All help appreciated. thanks, Sandy
You need to replace your standard thermal unit with a Heavy Duty Electronic Unit (Variable-Load). Any variable load unit that matches your plug will work fine.
Warning though- you'll also need to replace or disconnect the 3rd Brakelight bulb... it is a dual filament quartz bulb- which causes a bad ground in the system when LEDs are used. I haven't gotten around to it yet, but I'm planning on replacing it with an LED bar soon.
BTW: Are you switchint to clear taillights when you use the LEDs? If not- then don't bother with the LEDs.
Thanks MinnGreenGT. I tried auto parts stores and they all go "HUH!" One Custom shop had a female that knew 'everything', and said I don't need to change it???'thanks very much" but I don't want a strobe light!@ These lights are going into my replica(using a Fiero Harness). My 3rd brakelight(8" line of LED's) is in my wing, which I ran a separate lead from the brake switch, works fine. Does the 4-way flasher have to change as well? Sandy
[This message has been edited by cowans (edited 04-23-2002).]
Nope... that was something that actually confused me when I did my install- the 4 way flasher still worked, but my turn signals wouldn't flash! So no- the 4 way unit will be fine.
What type of replica are you working on?
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01:51 PM
cowans Member
Posts: 630 From: Gloucester, Ontario Canada Registered: Aug 2000
You said the third brake light won't work anymore, after installing the LED lights and variable resistance flasher unit. Well, I did that, and mine still worked. Is it possible my light had been replaced before with a different type of bulb?? I just happen to be working on a third brake light now and had the bulb out...looks factory, with the different plug style and all. My third brake light DID work though, without any modifications done by me, and I'm only doing another brake light by choice.
Bryce... it is possible that someone replaced your original quartz bulb with something else. How to check the 3rd Brake light? Does your car produce this light pattern?
Primarily do both(4 total) your tail/brake lights work correctly? Or does only the inside (or outside) one light initially- then both come on with the brake pedal? That's what shows the bad ground.
If you are still getting the above pattern- including having your 3rd brakelight work correctly (should match the tail/brakelights)... do me a favor and take apart your 3rd brakelight assembly and see if anything is unusual (possibly a part number on the bulb also).
Cowans- Now I remember your replica... I have bunch of pics on my Hard Drive from shortly after you got it. It came from CK3 right? How is it coming along?
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03:27 PM
Apr 24th, 2002
cowans Member
Posts: 630 From: Gloucester, Ontario Canada Registered: Aug 2000
Thanks, everyone. Finally have located varible load flasher and only $8/Can. MinnGreenGT, car is a riot to drive, stops traffic everywhere. Just put in 300hp + 5spd, lots on tap... tinkering with the little things. Thanks for asking, Sandy
According to the parts books there are 2 high mount (3rd) brake light configs....
The ones using lamp 889 are fed from the blue wire running to the brake pedal switch. It is completely separate from the coupe brake/turn lights. (889 is a single filament Halogen lamp. 55W I think.) The blue wire feeds the separate brake lights in fast back GT.
I'm not sure how the other lamp, if it was ever really used, is setup.
The 4 ways still work because the 2 front lamps and the 2 dash indicators are probably enough to make it run. Thermal cans require a certain amount of current thru them to operate. If the 4 ways blink slow, try using the old turn signal can there.
------------------ 11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.