Changing side marker light to LED,do it require LED Decoder?

[mikesd1980]

I want to change side marker light to LED bulb when I do my headlights this week some time and was wondering do it need a LED Decoder to stop it from hyper flashing?

For people that have done it, did you use a white or yellow LED?

[Larz]

You only need decoders when installing an LED that blinks (like a turn signal). The side marker in your headlamp doesn't blink so you should be fine. The side markers in the fenders, however DO blink and they need decoders. LEDs can be used in placed of any bulb type providing that you match the bulb size. For coloured lenses, it's best to use white. A coloured bulb behind a coloured lens is significantly less bright and visible.

[GQM45s]

i have hyper blink on my side markers but to answer your color question i did white

[mikesd1980]

Thanks Larz and GQM45, both anwered my questions on what I was looking for.
GQM45s, Being that your side marker hpyer flash do it cause the blinker indicator in the inside cluster blink fast also?

[Larz]

I think GQ may have been referring to the fender mounted turn signals, not the little marker light inside the headlamp assembly. He has a 2008 M, so his car may be different.

[mikesd1980]

I didnt know about the light inside the headlight housing till you just said something. I turned on my lights and see that my drivers side is out so Im going to change both of them too. But I was referring to the side marker light that blink with the blinkers.

[GQM45s]

yes the blinker in the cluster does to - but then again I have 68 LED bulbs in the read and in the front turn signals too - so that could be a reason why. But i'm not sure if they hyper blink with just the side fender markers

[pedsemdoc]

So I have LEDs in my side marker lights in the fender and I don't have the hyperflashing.... hmmmmm

BUT, I am using the stealth silver coated amber turn signal bulbs in my front and rear turn signals--not as bright as the LEDs so prolly going to switch them out and have to wire in the load resistors.

[moedawg140]

I want to change side marker light to LED bulb when I do my headlights this week some time and was wondering do it need a LED Decoder to stop it from hyper flashing?

For people that have done it, did you use a white or yellow LED?

You do need to use a LED decoder/resistor if you are not installing CAN-Bus proof LEDs.

You do not need to use a LED decoder/resistor if you are installing CAN-Bus proof LEDs, as I am using a pair of CAN-Bus proof Amber 6 LEDs (from vleds.com) for the sidemarkers and do not need to use a LED decoder/resistor for the LEDs to flash normally. They look very nice with the front 5K/Amber Switchback V3 Triton Version 2 and rear Amber V3 Triton Version 2 LED turn signal lights.

Also, for anyone that wants to change their front and/or rear turn signals; you will not need to use LED decoders if you decide to install the rear Amber V3 Triton Version 2 LED turn signal lights and/or the front Amber or 5K/Amber Switchback V3 Triton Version 2 turn signal lights (vleds.com) because resisting is already built into the control box housing.

[mikesd1980]

Moedawg, if I havent brought the LED decoder and LED's I would have went with Vleds

Larz, Where did you get the eyelids from? Cant find anything doing a search.

[Larz]

Moedawg, if I havent brought the LED decoder and LED's I would have went with Vleds

Larz, Where did you get the eyelids from? Cant find anything doing a search.

So sorry Mike! I forgot about the can-bus proof version of LEDs.

As for the eyelids, you won't find any pre-made lids for our Ms far as my research went. The few you find are, well, ermm, rubbish (in my opinion). I made my own and did a rather poor DIY about them. I did one set a while back, then did new ones recently. Both versions are in my pic/vid link in my sig below. I also did a DIY when I did my first set. It looks much more complicated and teadious than it actually is. It's really very easy to do:

post6499503.html?hilit=eyelid#p6499503

You can also follow this same DIY and use Krylon (any colour) paint and Krylon Clear Gloss as a final coat. The downside is that paint is a bit more messy if you ever want to remove them. With my version, you simply peel it off and it leaves no evidence behind.

Moe, please post a vid of your switchbacks after you get them done! And thanks again for turning me on to the Vled systems!

[moedawg140]

Moedawg, if I havent brought the LED decoder and LED's I would have went with Vleds

Larz, Where did you get the eyelids from? Cant find anything doing a search.

No worries, mikesd1980! You can always sell your LED decoder and LED's and get the great stuff, or you can just give it away. I unfortunately have several LEDs that are not being used, just because I wanted to purchase the newest, brightest lights to replace the LEDs I already had installed! So you can definitely still get those vleds, you wouldn't be sorry if you did!

Larz - I'm going to be posting a HowTo/DIY about how to install the 5K/Amber V3 Trition Version 2 Switchbacks soon, with uploaded video as well. You're welcome regarding letting you know about vleds. Sometimes they can be a little tricky to work with (such as not posting useful information on their website, and increased waiting time to get certain lights) but the products speak for themselves.