How to Install LED License Plate Lights (62 cents a bulb)
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Date: 2021-02-01
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Comments and reviews: 10
Alexander
I actually like that youre using LEDs for your car because one, they last longer than incandescent or halogens, and second, they draw less power.
One thing to keep in mind is that because of the difference in load that LED bulbs take compared to either of the other two I mentioned, you might need to do more for your turn signals, and I speak from experience. When I was shopping at an auto parts store, I saw that one of the aftermarket accessories they sold were load resistors. I was curious about that and checked out the description on the packaging, and theyre meant to be attached to the same line as turn signals to take the kind of load required so the turn signal relay doesnt act like theres either no bulb in a certain socket or that a bulb burned out. I bought a set immediately with the LEDs so that I wouldnt have to take an extra trip, and a test with the LED bulbs alone showed that I was right to get the resistors.
For a while, after installing both the LEDs and the resistors, everything worked great until eventually the turn signal relay started acting up. The turn signals would turn on, but not blink at all unless the hazard flasher switch was used. After checking the fuses and doing some research, I determined that it was indeed the relay that had a problem. So after doing more research and pulling out the relay, I showed it to an employee at an auto parts store and he immediately led me to where the part was, and I picked out one that was actually compatible with LED bulbs. After installing it, I dared to try it out without the load resistors. Thankfully it actually worked, which meant that I could remove the resistors and save them for when I installed LEDs in one of my familys other vehicles. The wiring in the car was resealed afterwards.
So anyway, I told that story to bring up this point: If youre going to use LEDs on your turn signals, whether or not the brake lights also function as the turn signal lights, make sure you get the necessary accessories in case they dont work properly at first. Also, based on how confident you are about working on your own car, if said accessories are required, you can either add resistors to the wiring, which is easy enough, or you can leave the wiring alone and do research on your vehicle to find where the relay is and what model range it is before looking for the LED-compatible equivalent, assuming it exists.
Other areas with a bulb most likely wont need such modifications because all they do is direct current through a circuit without interruption (headlights, fog lights, brakes if theyre not attached to a turn signal, map lights, etc.
reply
I actually like that youre using LEDs for your car because one, they last longer than incandescent or halogens, and second, they draw less power.
One thing to keep in mind is that because of the difference in load that LED bulbs take compared to either of the other two I mentioned, you might need to do more for your turn signals, and I speak from experience. When I was shopping at an auto parts store, I saw that one of the aftermarket accessories they sold were load resistors. I was curious about that and checked out the description on the packaging, and theyre meant to be attached to the same line as turn signals to take the kind of load required so the turn signal relay doesnt act like theres either no bulb in a certain socket or that a bulb burned out. I bought a set immediately with the LEDs so that I wouldnt have to take an extra trip, and a test with the LED bulbs alone showed that I was right to get the resistors.
For a while, after installing both the LEDs and the resistors, everything worked great until eventually the turn signal relay started acting up. The turn signals would turn on, but not blink at all unless the hazard flasher switch was used. After checking the fuses and doing some research, I determined that it was indeed the relay that had a problem. So after doing more research and pulling out the relay, I showed it to an employee at an auto parts store and he immediately led me to where the part was, and I picked out one that was actually compatible with LED bulbs. After installing it, I dared to try it out without the load resistors. Thankfully it actually worked, which meant that I could remove the resistors and save them for when I installed LEDs in one of my familys other vehicles. The wiring in the car was resealed afterwards.
So anyway, I told that story to bring up this point: If youre going to use LEDs on your turn signals, whether or not the brake lights also function as the turn signal lights, make sure you get the necessary accessories in case they dont work properly at first. Also, based on how confident you are about working on your own car, if said accessories are required, you can either add resistors to the wiring, which is easy enough, or you can leave the wiring alone and do research on your vehicle to find where the relay is and what model range it is before looking for the LED-compatible equivalent, assuming it exists.
Other areas with a bulb most likely wont need such modifications because all they do is direct current through a circuit without interruption (headlights, fog lights, brakes if theyre not attached to a turn signal, map lights, etc.
reply
Mike
I bought a used car where the fog light and license plate lights were wired incorrectly.
I got myself a soldering iron and used your tips and it works perfectly now.
Next want to add a relay to cut the headlights off when the ignition is switched off as well as fit a switch and a pair DRL's in the front bumper.
Lastly fit rear and boot interior lighting cause it's bright in the front but can't see squat at the back and when unloaded the rather small boot.
Keep up the tips Chris!
reply
I bought a used car where the fog light and license plate lights were wired incorrectly.
I got myself a soldering iron and used your tips and it works perfectly now.
Next want to add a relay to cut the headlights off when the ignition is switched off as well as fit a switch and a pair DRL's in the front bumper.
Lastly fit rear and boot interior lighting cause it's bright in the front but can't see squat at the back and when unloaded the rather small boot.
Keep up the tips Chris!
reply
Dustin
I just replaced out my lights from Halogens to LEDs and I had to replace out the wiring harness for both my license plate light sockets since the old ones where the bulb are held is dry-rotted and cracked over time. They were actually the original factory ones.
If anyone drives a second gen Dodge pickup, check your sockets, and if they are cracked, brittle, and dry-rotted, replace them out, not worth saving the old ones.
reply
I just replaced out my lights from Halogens to LEDs and I had to replace out the wiring harness for both my license plate light sockets since the old ones where the bulb are held is dry-rotted and cracked over time. They were actually the original factory ones.
If anyone drives a second gen Dodge pickup, check your sockets, and if they are cracked, brittle, and dry-rotted, replace them out, not worth saving the old ones.
reply
riviol87
Are those LEDs still working? I have had a bad experience with cheap LEDs (though expensive than 65cent/bulb. They burnout after 4 to 7 months. I got so tired of replacing them that I spent 5 times the amount on an Osram pair of T10 W5W LEDs which come with company backed warranty. Another issue with these cheap LEDs is the inconsistent power consumption. In most cases the wattage is way off than the one mentioned.
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Are those LEDs still working? I have had a bad experience with cheap LEDs (though expensive than 65cent/bulb. They burnout after 4 to 7 months. I got so tired of replacing them that I spent 5 times the amount on an Osram pair of T10 W5W LEDs which come with company backed warranty. Another issue with these cheap LEDs is the inconsistent power consumption. In most cases the wattage is way off than the one mentioned.
reply
Don
DON'T use WD-40 for removing corrosion! Use a proper terminal cleaner, such as DeOxit, which is designed to remove corrosion from electrical terminals, clean connections, and lubricate.
Use the sandpaper only if there is so much built up corrosion, you need to knock some off before using the DeOxit.
WD-40 is not an electrical cleaner. It's a water-displacing oil.
reply
DON'T use WD-40 for removing corrosion! Use a proper terminal cleaner, such as DeOxit, which is designed to remove corrosion from electrical terminals, clean connections, and lubricate.
Use the sandpaper only if there is so much built up corrosion, you need to knock some off before using the DeOxit.
WD-40 is not an electrical cleaner. It's a water-displacing oil.
reply
chrisfix
Mine arent working at all on my 94 Mustang GT. I put LED bulbs in it and they dont come on. I guess Ill be tracing wires and find out where its not getting power. Almost wonder if the LED bulbs are sensitive to which direction theyre placed. I may be getting some new light pig tails
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Mine arent working at all on my 94 Mustang GT. I put LED bulbs in it and they dont come on. I guess Ill be tracing wires and find out where its not getting power. Almost wonder if the LED bulbs are sensitive to which direction theyre placed. I may be getting some new light pig tails
reply
DaddytechEnt
for just. 62 cents a day you too can feed a hungry light socket with life giving bright white light. kept expecting sad music and Sally Strouthers to start doing the voice over lol nice video! did you buy those lights locally or have to send off for them?
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for just. 62 cents a day you too can feed a hungry light socket with life giving bright white light. kept expecting sad music and Sally Strouthers to start doing the voice over lol nice video! did you buy those lights locally or have to send off for them?
reply
lawnmowermanTX
+ChrisFix where can i get those LED lights? You're a godsend! I've been stopped by the law on the license plate light issue. Does Walmart or auto part store carry them? That did make the LP, pop nicely. Kudos!
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+ChrisFix where can i get those LED lights? You're a godsend! I've been stopped by the law on the license plate light issue. Does Walmart or auto part store carry them? That did make the LP, pop nicely. Kudos!
reply
autos
Those led don't ever last that long. The ones from Autozone are more expensive but worth it. Last longer than you'll own that vehicle. Thanks for videos. They help alot of people.
reply
Those led don't ever last that long. The ones from Autozone are more expensive but worth it. Last longer than you'll own that vehicle. Thanks for videos. They help alot of people.
reply
Soundwave
God: let there be night! night comes
Chris: lets turn the sun back on
God: who do you think you are?
Chris: Im Chris fix!
God: my apologies
reply
God: let there be night! night comes
Chris: lets turn the sun back on
God: who do you think you are?
Chris: Im Chris fix!
God: my apologies
reply
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