Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums

Notices
996 Forum 1999-2005
Sponsored by:
LN Engineering

Load resistor for LED 3rd Brake Light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-08-2015 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
Slopeslider's Avatar
Slopeslider
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 21
From: Savannah, GA
Default Load resistor for LED 3rd Brake Light
I have now upgraded all of my tail / brake lights to LED. When I connected the 3rd brake light, I got the ABS/PSM warning lights. I was thinking a led load resistor from Autozone would be the easy fix. Any suggestions on what i need? How to install?

Sent from my iPad using Rennlist
Reply Like
Old 05-08-2015 | 02:22 PM
  #2  
porschedog's Avatar
porschedog
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,657
Likes: 321
From: Hollywood, Florida
Default
I want to do this mod, too. What LED upgrades did you use? I also want install a strobe module to make the 3rd brake light flash when applied (I have this on my Harley)
Reply Like
Old 05-08-2015 | 02:55 PM
  #3  
Ahsai's Avatar
Ahsai
Nordschleife Master
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,328
Likes: 68
Default
All brake lights + the 3rd brake light is about 60W in total. I think these will work.
Connect one in parallel to any of your brake bulbs and see if that works. If not, connect both of them in parallel.

Amazon.com: CUTEQUEEN TRADING 2PCS 50W 6Ohm LED Load Resistors for LED Turn Signal Lights or LED License Plate Lights or DRL (Fix Hyper Flash, Warning Cancellor) or stop brake with 4pc Quick wire Clip: Automotive Amazon.com: CUTEQUEEN TRADING 2PCS 50W 6Ohm LED Load Resistors for LED Turn Signal Lights or LED License Plate Lights or DRL (Fix Hyper Flash, Warning Cancellor) or stop brake with 4pc Quick wire Clip: Automotive
Reply Like
Old 05-08-2015 | 03:39 PM
  #4  
alpine003's Avatar
alpine003
Banned
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,697
Likes: 29
From: Chicago
Default
Originally Posted by Ahsai
All brake lights + the 3rd brake light is about 60W in total. I think these will work.
Connect one in parallel to any of your brake bulbs and see if that works. If not, connect both of them in parallel.
That is correct and those are the same ones I've been running for the last 4 years.
Reply Like
Old 05-09-2015 | 01:53 AM
  #5  
Slopeslider's Avatar
Slopeslider
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 21
From: Savannah, GA
Default
Originally Posted by Ahsai
All brake lights + the 3rd brake light is about 60W in total. I think these will work. Connect one in parallel to any of your brake bulbs and see if that works. If not, connect both of them in parallel. Video Link: http://www.amazon.com/CUTEQUEEN-TRADING-Resistors-License-Cancellor/dp/B00GQ2TC14/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1431103834&sr=8-3&keywords=6ohm+50w+resistor
Thanks Ahsai just ordered a set.

Sent from my iPad using Rennlist
Reply Like
Old 05-09-2015 | 01:54 AM
  #6  
Slopeslider's Avatar
Slopeslider
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 21
From: Savannah, GA
Default
Originally Posted by porschedog
I want to do this mod, too. What LED upgrades did you use? I also want install a strobe module to make the 3rd brake light flash when applied (I have this on my Harley)
Porschedog I went with the smoked Spyder LEDs from Amazon and ordered the matching third brake light from EBay.

Sent from my iPad using Rennlist
Reply Like
Old 05-09-2015 | 02:40 PM
  #7  
Slopeslider's Avatar
Slopeslider
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 21
From: Savannah, GA
Default
Originally Posted by alpine003
That is correct and those are the same ones I've been running for the last 4 years.
Is it best to hook to the tail brake lights vs. 3rd brake light? Brown is ground correct?
Reply Like

Trending Topics

Old 05-09-2015 | 04:19 PM
  #8  
Ahsai's Avatar
Ahsai
Nordschleife Master
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,328
Likes: 68
Default
It does not matter electrically as all the brake light bulbs are wired in parallel but I would think for easy access it's good to connect the resistors to one of the tail light housings.

Yes, brown means ground for most German cars.
Reply Like
Old 05-09-2015 | 07:28 PM
  #9  
Slopeslider's Avatar
Slopeslider
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 21
From: Savannah, GA
Default
Originally Posted by Ahsai
It does not matter electrically as all the brake light bulbs are wired in parallel but I would think for easy access it's good to connect the resistors to one of the tail light housings. Yes, brown means ground for most German cars.
Thanks!

Sent from my iPad using Rennlist
Reply Like
Old 05-10-2015 | 10:02 PM
  #10  
Slopeslider's Avatar
Slopeslider
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 21
From: Savannah, GA
Default
Originally Posted by Ahsai
It does not matter electrically as all the brake light bulbs are wired in parallel but I would think for easy access it's good to connect the resistors to one of the tail light housings.

Yes, brown means ground for most German cars.
Need some additional help. I have installed both resistors.
http://www.amazon.com/CUTEQUEEN-TRADING-Resistors-License-Cancellor/dp/B00GQ2TC14/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1431103834&sr=8-3&keywords=6ohm%2050w%20resistor&tag=viglink20410-20 http://www.amazon.com/CUTEQUEEN-TRADING-Resistors-License-Cancellor/dp/B00GQ2TC14/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1431103834&sr=8-3&keywords=6ohm%2050w%20resistor&tag=viglink20410-20

One per tail light. Still getting PSM and ABS lights. I'm assuming it doesn't matter which way is which (+ / -) since they are both the wires are red?


Reply Like
Old 05-10-2015 | 10:15 PM
  #11  
Ahsai's Avatar
Ahsai
Nordschleife Master
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,328
Likes: 68
Default
What year and model is your car? On a '99, the brake light wire is black/orange. Are you sure you're tapping into the right wires?
Reply Like
Old 05-10-2015 | 10:18 PM
  #12  
Slopeslider's Avatar
Slopeslider
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 21
From: Savannah, GA
Default
Originally Posted by Ahsai
What year and model is your car? On a '99, the brake light wire is black/orange. Are you sure you're tapping into the right wires?
'03. Pretty sure I have the correct wires.
Reply Like
Old 05-10-2015 | 10:43 PM
  #13  
Ahsai's Avatar
Ahsai
Nordschleife Master
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,328
Likes: 68
Default
Not sure if this is the problem but sometimes you need to drive the car for some mileage before the light clears itself.
Reply Like
Old 05-11-2015 | 12:19 AM
  #14  
Slopeslider's Avatar
Slopeslider
Thread Starter
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 623
Likes: 21
From: Savannah, GA
Default
Originally Posted by Ahsai
What year and model is your car? On a '99, the brake light wire is black/orange. Are you sure you're tapping into the right wires?
I ended up running the resistors in a series and connecting to the 3rd brake light. All seems good. Thanks for all of your help!
Reply Like
Old 05-11-2015 | 12:52 AM
  #15  
Ahsai's Avatar
Ahsai
Nordschleife Master
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,328
Likes: 68
Default
Originally Posted by Slopeslider
I ended up running the resistors in a series and connecting to the 3rd brake light. All seems good. Thanks for all of your help!
That's even better as it wastes less energy with higher resistance. What you did on the tail lamps should have worked though. Oh well, it's working now and that's all that matters
Reply Like



Advanced Search
Quick Reply: Load resistor for LED 3rd Brake Light


Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -3. The time now is 11:15 AM.