Thread: LED 3rd Brake Light/Cruise Control and Other Lighting Questions

silverstars burn out quickly and are expensive. HID kits are cheaper and not hard to install with a wiring harness.

use Collinite 845 on the headlights and tails to keep them from oxidizing.

You are wasting money that could be spent on a set of projector retrofits by dicking around with different light bulbs. Save your money and listen to those of us who have been there done that. I felt the same way but the stock headligths no matter what suck.

I have solved internal moisture problems by using silicone on the seams so I can vouch for that too. Wax helps keep the lenses in top shape.

Originally Posted by gingerdude

I see bits and pieces of this mentioned around, but I am unclear of the solution. So I have tossed all LEDs in the exterior lights. I see the brake lights are very slightly lit at night when they are off and the cruise control does not function. Otherwise everything else is good. I was able to solve hyperflash with the EP28 flasher. This is the last issue. Do I need to throw a resistor somewhere?

Also, while HIDs would be nice, I don't want to do that much work. Any thoughts on the Nighthawks, XtremeVision, or Silverstars?

Finally, my heads and tails are in great shape (not leaking, oxidized, or pulling apart). I'm going to silicone around the edges where they seal. Any other recommendations to keep them nice as long as possible?

Put a load resistor on each of the corner lights. It will solve the cruise control issue. I had to do that when I went diode dynamics on all exterior bulbs and the 3rd brake lights as well. The flasher solves the hyperflash issue but not always the cruise control. Sort of defeats the purpose but it works and the LED's look much more modern.

To keep the lights staying looking nice, you can put any type of synthetic sealant on a regular basis. The UV coating is what you are protecting. Better yet invest in the x-pel headlight kit. It will protect the lights from the coating failing with the UV protection in the film along with protecting against road rash.

With regards to the light bulbs. If you have the money either retrofit some projectors in it or invest in some classy retrofits to use HIDs properly. If not then the Phillips Xtreme Vision's are good bulbs.

And then there's me.... LED's in the front lights and 3rd brake light, Spyder tails in the rear (which have built in load resistors), and working cruise control.

I agree with everybody on the headlights, save for a retrofit. You will not be disappointed. I ran Piaa Xtreme white bulbs before the projectors, and they were ok, but not much better than stock.

Originally Posted by gingerdude

I've seen people with other cars just clear coat their lenses. Anyone have experience with that? Maybe it would last longer then just a sealant?

There is already a UV coating on the lights. Regular upkeep keeps them looking good for a long time. If the coating fails you can restore them and re-clear them or use a ceramic type headlight coating on them to keep them from yellowing.