Best Error Free Bypass Resistor for LED's? 06 M35

[40belowceo]

Hey All,

So this past weekend I replaced my standard signal bulbs for LED bulbs. I quickly learned from the first bulb the car has the bulbs flickering quickly as if one of my regular bulbs was out. I found some bypass resistors online but this one looked the most promising with literally just plug n play. Just wanted to know your opinions on it and if anyone has used any other of these to stop the signal flickering. See ebay link below.

Thanks,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/230825056243?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

[Larz]

Those appear to be the set I used for my front turn signals as posted in the DIY that I made a while back.

replace-upgrade-front-turn-signals-m35-t574493.html

They have worked fine ever since with no issues. There is also a similar set for the fender mounted turn signals as well, but the end that houses the actual bulb needs to be modified to fit snugly into the lens. They also have worked flawlessly since I installed them.

I have purchased items from Kaizen before and they are a a reputable dealer on Ebay.

[40belowceo]

Those appear to be the set I used for my front turn signals as posted in the DIY that I made a while back.

replace-upgrade-front-turn-signals-m35-t574493.html

They have worked fine ever since with no issues. There is also a similar set for the fender mounted turn signals as well, but the end that houses the actual bulb needs to be modified to fit snugly into the lens. They also have worked flawlessly since I installed them.

I have purchased items from Kaizen before and they are a a reputable dealer on Ebay.

Thanks a million Larz! I thought about removing the air filter but was a little too scared I wont be able to put it back properly but now seeing your helpful pics I will give it a try. I actually forced/squeezed my hand in between the air filter box and socket to replace the driver side bulb.

Quick question. Did you have to mount the little resistor box anywhere or did you just let it hang?

I seen you went with the "amber" color, I went with the white LED's to match every other light in & out.

[Larz]

I didn't mount my adapters. I used zip-ties to suspend them and keep them from pulling downward on the socket.

As for colour, in Florida, the police (at least where I live) seem to have an issue about using ONLY amber for front turn signals, measuring tint on car windows and rear lamps, and citing for ANY amount of tint on headlamps. In Florida there are strict laws about this stuff and those laws are enforced.

I was at walmart recently and the popo's took over the entrance lane to make a surprise inspection of every car entering the carpark just to measure the the tint % on each window. Like a DUI stop, but for window tint. By the time you noticed what they were doing, cars were behind you and you had no choice but to proceed into their little trap.
Strangely though, based on the sheer number of peeps using them without trouble, the cops seem to be OK with those goofy purple headlamps or using extremely bright HID-look bulbs not being aimed properly. Seems they don't mind if drivers blind you, long as they don't tint the headlamp covers ?!?!?

Don't get me wrong ... I have the highest respect and gratitude for those who protect us from all the bad stuff but sometimes it seems they go a little too far.

[40belowceo]

I didn't mount my adapters. I used zip-ties to suspend them and keep them from pulling downward on the socket.

As for colour, in Florida, the police (at least where I live) seem to have an issue about using ONLY amber for front turn signals, measuring tint on car windows and rear lamps, and citing for ANY amount of tint on headlamps. In Florida there are strict laws about this stuff and those laws are enforced.

I was at walmart recently and the popo's took over the entrance lane to make a surprise inspection of every car entering the carpark just to measure the the tint % on each window. Like a DUI stop, but for window tint. By the time you noticed what they were doing, cars were behind you and you had no choice but to proceed into their little trap.
Strangely though, based on the sheer number of peeps using them without trouble, the cops seem to be OK with those goofy purple headlamps or using extremely bright HID-look bulbs not being aimed properly. Seems they don't mind if drivers blind you, long as they don't tint the headlamp covers ?!?!?

Don't get me wrong ... I have the highest respect and gratitude for those who protect us from all the bad stuff but sometimes it seems they go a little too far.

Wow I thought Florida would allow its citizens to go as dark as they want with all the sun out there. I just learned that there is a "window tint" task force in my neighborhood that only comes out at night pulling people over checking their tint %. It's a clear sign that New York City is thirsty for money giving out tickets for all kinds of little non-sense as they can. Whatever happened to "protect & serve" ? lol...

[Wangtang408]

Serve tickets!

[Larz]

Just an FYI for us Florida residents:

"All motor vehicles must have at least two headlamps with at least one on each side of the motor vehicle. Headlamps must emit a white color and any object, material, or covering that alters the headlamp's light color or brightness may NOT be placed, displayed, installed, or applied over a headlamp. All vehicles must have at least two front turn signal lamps with at least one on each side of the motor vehicle. Front turn signal lamps must emit an amber or orange color and must be visible from 500ft. All motor vehicles must have at least two rear turn signals with at least one on each side of the motor vehicle. Rear turn signal lamps must emit a red, amber, or orange color and must be visible from 1000ft."

**** That eliminates the need to measure lumens and is more than enough to back up any citation that you receive here for tinting, or coloured bulbs.

"All motor vehicles must have at least two rear lights, at least one on each side of the vehicle. Rear lamps must emit a red color that is clearly visible from 1,000 feet."

*** That is vague enough that it gives officers freedom to bother you, or not. That's why I didn't tint my rear lamps farther than a dark cherry. They still appear red, just a nicer darker red. Cops seem to only go after the very dark tints.

For window tint, they have to use an actual meter that determines opacity to cite you, but for lighting it's black & white simple - you have a covering on your headlamps or you don't .... your lamp emits the proper colour or it doesn't. No 'grey' area to fight it in court (pardon the pun).

[40belowceo]

Just an FYI for us Florida residents:

"All motor vehicles must have at least two headlamps with at least one on each side of the motor vehicle. Headlamps must emit a white color and any object, material, or covering that alters the headlamp's light color or brightness may NOT be placed, displayed, installed, or applied over a headlamp. All vehicles must have at least two front turn signal lamps with at least one on each side of the motor vehicle. Front turn signal lamps must emit an amber or orange color and must be visible from 500ft. All motor vehicles must have at least two rear turn signals with at least one on each side of the motor vehicle. Rear turn signal lamps must emit a red, amber, or orange color and must be visible from 1000ft."

**** That eliminates the need to measure lumens and is more than enough to back up any citation that you receive here for tinting, or coloured bulbs.

"All motor vehicles must have at least two rear lights, at least one on each side of the vehicle. Rear lamps must emit a red color that is clearly visible from 1,000 feet."

*** That is vague enough that it gives officers freedom to bother you, or not. That's why I didn't tint my rear lamps farther than a dark cherry. They still appear red, just a nicer darker red. Cops seem to only go after the very dark tints.

For window tint, they have to use an actual meter that determines opacity to cite you, but for lighting it's black & white simple - you have a covering on your headlamps or you don't .... your lamp emits the proper colour or it doesn't. No 'grey' area to fight it in court (pardon the pun).

Sounds just like here in NY. Any excuse to give citations. I got pulled over buy a drug task force a few months ago on my way home from grocery shopping! Their excuse was that my window tints were too dark and they could not see in. They were behind me, how could they see in? In NY, the only tints that have to be up to legal standards are the front driver and passenger. You can go as black/dark as you want for the rear passengers and back windshield so it was just an excuse to pull me over. Luckily I myself have light tinted tail lights which also gives the dark cherry look.

[40belowceo]

I recently got the resistors and decided to install them this past july 4th weekend. What should of been a 10 minute job turned into a nightmare. One of the resistors had a flaw in it and would not hold the bulb properly. Ofcourse I found out the hard way as the bulb fell inside the headlight.

I tried everything I could to try to get the bulb out including long nose pliers and duct tape and nothing worked. I had to go to my local mechanic who had to removed the screws on the drivers side front bumper and fender. They then had to crack open the lense, remove the bulb, and glue it back together! I washed my M prior to all this happening so when they opened the lense some water streaked down it and they did not dry it so now I have a permanent stained water streaked on the middle of my headlight.

To top it all off, the resistors did not work at all and were still hyper flashing! I contacted the seller on Ebay and he suggested I return these resistors and swap them for 50W resistors which will involve splicing of the wires.

Has anyone ever done this process before? The seller sent me a diagram but I am still not sure how to go about wiring this. There is also a warning saying that the resistors get really really hot and keep away from all plastic and fabric as it can melt it. How would I keep it away from plastic and fabric installing them on the tail lights? Any help or suggestions would be gladly appreciated. Please see pics below.

Here is the Plug & Play resistors I first purchased. These did not work on my 06 M, chances are they will not work on yours.



Here is a pic of the new resistors that I plan on installing and can use some help with.



Here is my M with the drivers side bumper and fender partially disassembled along with the air filter taken off.



First diagram



Second diagram



I am by no means electricity savvy so please help lol.

Thanks all,

[Larz]

First, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. I actually had a similar thing happen. When installing the little parking bulb into the top of the headlamp assembly, it fell in. I have one of those flexible tube-like gizmos with claws on the end to grab things. It grabbed it fine, but there was no way to align the bulb in the claws to back it out of the hole. I had a little tantrum, then calmly decided it wasn't all that noticeable, LOL. After a few days, the bulb rolled towards the back section of the assembly and actually disappeared ! I haven't seen it since, so I count myself very lucky.

Your pic shows a 7443 adapter and my M required a 7440 (or 992) adapter. Perhaps you used the wrong adapter? Kaizen lists both 7443 and 7440 for the the same adapters I bought so maybe not? Here is the link I used to buy mine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-Error-Free ... f3&vxp=mtr

About the old school metal resistors: Those resistors are very dependable and will last forever. They connect in a very straight forward way to the existing wiring. BUT, I would not use the little blue clamps they come with. Those clamps have a way of loosening up and you have to go back in and squeeze them closed again and again. I would just twist the wires and cover with a shrink connector. You just slide one wire through the connector before twisting the wires together, then after twisting the two wires together, slide the red connector over the area where you spliced them, heat it with a hair dryer and it shrinks into a good waterproof seal. Maybe even wrap the shrunken connector in electric tape just for good measure. You can get these connectors cheap at any auto part shop or my fav shop: Home Depot.
.

.
Connecting the resistor is much easier than it appears. There are two existing wires leading to the bulb socket. There is one wire at each end of the resisitor. Connect one of the existing bulb wires to one end of the resistor (doesn't matter which wire or which end of the resistor). Connect the remaining wire from the bulb socket to the remaining wire of the resistor.
*** IMPORTANT*** These resistors get VERY hot during prolonged use (like stopped at a signal with the turn signal blinking). I think it would be best NOT to actually mount the resistor to anything. I would use zip-ties and allow the resistor to hang and float in mid air. The resistors are water proof and so is the shrink connector.

[40belowceo]

First, I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. I actually had a similar thing happen. When installing the little parking bulb into the top of the headlamp assembly, it fell in. I have one of those flexible tube-like gizmos with claws on the end to grab things. It grabbed it fine, but there was no way to align the bulb in the claws to back it out of the hole. I had a little tantrum, then calmly decided it wasn't all that noticeable, LOL. After a few days, the bulb rolled towards the back section of the assembly and actually disappeared ! I haven't seen it since, so I count myself very lucky.

You used the same adapters I used so I can't imagine why they aren't working properly unless they aren't making a good contact with the socket end or the bulb end. You may want to try reversing the connection at the socket end to see if that works. If that fails, you can certainly use the old school resistors as shown in your pic above. However there are some things to keep in mind:

Those resistors are very dependable and will last forever. They connect in a very straight forward way to the existing wiring. BUT, I would not use the little blue clamps they come with. Those clamps have a way of loosening up and you have to go back in and squeeze them closed again and again. I would just twist the wires and cover with a shrink connector. You just slide one wire through the connector before twisting the wires together, then after twisting the two wires together, slide the red connector over the area where you spliced them, heat it with a hair dryer and it shrinks into a good waterproof seal. Maybe even wrap the shrunken connector in electric tape just for good measure. You can get these connectors cheap at any auto part shop or my fav shop: Home Depot.
.

.
Connecting the resistor is much easier than it appears. There are two existing wires leading to the bulb socket. There is one wire at each end of the resisitor. Connect one of the existing bulb wires to one end of the resistor (doesn't matter which wire or which end of the resistor). Connect the remaining wire from the bulb socket to the remaining wire of the resistor.
*** IMPORTANT*** These resistors get VERY hot during prolonged use (like stopped at a signal with the turn signal blinking). I think it would be best NOT to actually mount the resistor to anything. I would use zip-ties and allow the resistor to hang and float in mid air. The resistors are water proof and so is the shrink connector.

Thanks alot Larz. Any suggestions as to where to let the resistors hang when installing them on the rear break lights? I put the previous resistors inside behind the carpet of the break lights.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

I guess I'm confused as to why you need resistors on both the front and back? I have front and rear led turn sigs but only have resistors connected up front...

[40belowceo]

I guess I'm confused as to why you need resistors on both the front and back? I have front and rear led turn sigs but only have resistors connected up front...

In the first chart provided by the seller it says that "6 ohms 50w resistors only need 2 connected, 2 in the front or two in the rear" I then asked the seller and he told me I needed 4, 1 for each bulb installed.

Larz,

I forgot to mention that previous resistors worked in the sense that the bulbs powered up but still hyper flashed. The seller then suggested that I plug two resistors into each other and the lights still hyper flashed.

[Larz]

You need a resistor for EACH bulb that is used as a turn signal if LED bulbs are installed. They require much less current than a regular bulb and they will hyper-flash without a resistor to control the current.
If the LED bulb does not need to blink, it needs NO resistor at all. So if you're upgrading interior bulbs, parking lights, etc - no resistor needed.
I have resistors / adapters (1 each) on my front turn signal bulbs, rear turn signal bulbs, and both fender mounted turn signal bulbs - 6 resistors total.
The 50w 6ohm resistors are very inexpensive and easy to install.

40below: I have no idea why the adapters didn't work for you. Possibly there is a difference between the the 06 and 07 wiring harness or something. I'm sorry I recommended the adapters to you now as I thought they would work on any bulb in any year M. On my rear turn signals the resistors just hang freely outside the light assembly like you did. There is enough open space between the lamp assembly and the carpet trim piece to allow them to heat / cool down without damaging anything.

Don: I don't know why your LED rear turn signals work without resistors. They should be flashing faster than normal if you use LEDs with no resistor. That's a head-scratcher.

[40belowceo]

Larz,

As always thanks a million. Cant wait to install these and move on to something else!