Blinking too fast
 

I have just replaced all four blinkers (turn signals) to LED and all of a sudden they blink too fast, its as though one was out, but there all working, any ideas?

Probably need to install resistors to pull the load down. LEDs take a lot less power than incandescent bulbs.

The resistance of LEDs is less than regular bulbs causing the blinker to go too fast. The blinker must be changed to be compatible with the LEDs.

I understand what your saying about the load and it makes sense but these LED's are vehicle/model specific???

Thanks, where would I get them, which one and where do they go?

I've got a few spares that I'll sell you? $12 shipped for 2?
They go between the positive and negative wires.

I'm honestly not sure. I think there are some threads on here about it though. Sorry I'm no more help.

Do you need one for each bulb or just the two?

One for each bulb

I'm about to change out all the bulbs on my wife's FX50S, would I have the same problem on that?

Yessir. You only need to use a resistor on the turn signals.

I think I have 4 or like 10 of the exact resistors you need.
PM me, I'll cut you a deal so I can get these things out of my garage (they're brand new btw) or you can text me (31O)eight nine three-42O7

just put the car cover back on? :ugh2:

lmao!!!

Actually the resistance on LED is too high, hence putting a smaller but high wattage resistor in parallel to get to a smaller value. As suggest it goes between ground and the blinker wire on each blinker LED. If you are unsure about the value, just measure the original bulb and get a similar resistor, but make sure the wattage is high enough. A 4 Ohm resistor at 12V will need an resistor of about 40W, but since it is only 50% on, I would think a 30W might be enough.


Sent via Tapatalk

What does that mean in laymans terms?

Ignore the volts. He was just using that to calculate wattage. You need to ask for a 4 ohm, 30 watt (more watts is OK) resistor. They will probably get pretty hot, so keep away from stuff that might melt.

The reason you need the resistors is the turn signal is controlled by a bi-metallic strip, that is, two different metals welded together, when current flows thru them (the correct currrent for incandescent) two pieces of metal heat up and the stress between the two metals (one gets hot faster than the other) causes the metal to bend (until cools off) so you get light on till hot, light off till it cools off, then the cycle repeats endlessly causing the turn signal to blink. Very old school and very ingenious, actually.
The problem with LED's is that they don't draw enough current to heat the strip enough make it stay open long enough, so the strip opens and closes very quickly. Adding the resistors increases the heat so that the bi-metallic strip works correctly.
I'm not sure if our Z's have front and rear Turn signals in parallel, if so then one resistor may suffice, but if not in parallel (or if two lamps needed to heat the strip enough for correct off/on/off timing) then you may need a resistor for each light anyway.

It means the car thinks a bulb is burned out or doesn't exist.

Good I get it, where would I get the resisters from?

PM sent, I only have 4

I Google 370z resistor LED and this is one of the sites that popped up:
2009-2013 Nissan 370Z Front Turn Signal LEDs (pair) - 370Z - Nissan - HID & LED by Vehicle - Replacement Lighting

6 ohm

There is no bi-metal flasher. The turn signal lamps are directly driven by the BCM. See EXL-82 of 2009 FSM.

The BCM monitors current flow to the lamps and goes into fast-blink mode if the current draw is too low. See EXL-15 of 2009 FSM.

The rear turn signal lamps are on separate BCM outputs. The side and front lamps are in parallel with each side on a separate output. See EXL-82 of 2009 FSM.

Supplier is sending me two pairs of resistors FOC which is nice and I found a video online how to slice them in, looks simple.

Thanks SouthArk,
Now I'm educated did not know the blinkers were BCM (body control module) driven.

I had always assumed that it used a bi-metal blinker. Then I started researching for this topic and was surprised to find out that not only is there no blinker, there isn't even an interposing relay. :eek:

:eek: