Table of Contents
How Do LED Light Load Resistors Work?
Why Would I Need a Load Resistor in My Vehicle?
Benefits of Load Resistors in Vehicles
How to Install LED Load Resistors in Vehicles
Have you tried to enhance your vehicle with LEDs, but your car displays a “bulb out” warning, or you experienced hyper-flashing with the new bulb? Load resistors are the ideal solution for these situations and various other applications. This article will explain the technicality of load resistors, why you might need one in your vehicle, and the installation steps to get you started. We offer multiple load resistor options for various vehicle applications and motorcycles.
How Do LED Light Load Resistors Work?
Various factors contribute to how load resistors work. For automotive applications, the load resistor simulates the electrical load of an incandescent bulb by drawing extra current, so the vehicle's system thinks the original bulb is still installed.
Why Would I Need a Load Resistor in My Vehicle?
You might install aftermarket LED bulbs in your vehicle for increased energy efficiency, better visibility while driving, or longer bulb life. However, remember that most vehicles have a CAN bus system that allows the various systems to communicate and identify potential problems. Since LEDs draw significantly less power than halogen and HID bulbs, your vehicle might not register the bulb and will assume it has burned out. Your car will usually give you a “bulb out” warning or you might notice hyperflashing in your turn signals. A load resistor increases the current to mimic the same power as a traditional bulb so the car can register the bulb.
When deciding on a load resistor, you will want to ensure it has the same connection type as the bulb you are upgrading (for example, if you’re upgrading to an 1156 LED bulb, you will want a load resistor with the 1156 or BA15S connection). If you're unsure what load resistor you need, use our vehicle bulb finder to find the applicable load resistor for your vehicle or motorcycle. Simply fill in your vehicle's make, model, and year, and load resistors with compatible bulbs that suit your vehicle will pop up.
Benefits of Load Resistors in Vehicles
Load resistors are one of the more cost-effective solutions for fixing errors when installing LED bulbs into cars. For example, you could reprogram the body control module to adapt your vehicle to LED bulbs. However, this process usually costs at least $500. Another benefit is you can install load resistors yourself without the need for a mechanic.
How to Install Load Resistors for LED Lights in Vehicles
Something to note prior to installation, load resistors get hot during operation, reaching temperatures that can melt plastics and warp paint. We recommend mounting the resistor to a metal surface away from painted pieces, plastic, or other components that risk being damaged by the heat. Additionally, if the resistor is loosely installed, it will move around, stressing the wiring and causing failures. Due to the high temperatures during operation, we also recommend you do not touch the load resistor when it is in use.
Watch the video below or consult our installation instructions PDF here for steps on how to correctly install the load resistor using the splice method.
However, the steps in the video above are for the traditional style of load resistors, completed with the splice method. Our pre-made, plug-and-play style load resistor kits simplify installation by allowing you to plug the LED bulb into the resistor's socket. The other side of the resistor can then be plugged into the vehicle’s wiring harness. This installation is generally less complex compared to the installation of the traditional load resistor kits.
Alternatives to Load Resistors
Other options exist to fix ‘bulb out warnings’ or malfunctions caused by installed LED bulbs in outdated housing in vehicles. The first is to install an LED flasher that you plug in in place of the existing flasher relay. LED flashers fix hyper flashing and will only be compatible with certain relay systems. Verify the measurements on the product specifications page to determine if it would fit in your vehicle.
The other option is to install CAN bus bulbs that will fix the bulb out issue, but only if your vehicle has existing CAN bus housing. You can check our vehicle bulb finder to see if an LED flasher or CAN bus bulb pops up for your vehicle type. Read this article to learn more about each installment option.
LED Car Flasher
CAN Bus Bulb
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You can purchase load resistors online through Super Bright LEDs. We offer options for various vehicle light bulbs and motorcycle light bulbs. Start by using our vehicle bulb finder. If you have any questions, call 866-590-3533 to speak with one of our customer advocates.
by Emily Willis
LED Lighting Specialist
Emily has undergone training to provide technically accurate lighting knowledge on the uses and benefits of LEDs in residential, landscape, commercial, and vehicle applications. These blogs help understand and select lighting for various projects.
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