Cheap Appearance mod

[Pathfinder3.5]

Sorry if this is a repost.

So I've been pondering the idea of using LED's in place of standard light bulbs. I went ahead and ordered a pair of blue/white LED taillight bulbs. I believe they have 96 SMD's so they wont be lacking in light output. Here is a quick video i put together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Rtjlx6tDQ

[Towncivilian]

The third brake light has 9 bulbs in it, it isn't LED from the factory. It is clearly visible in your video, the third brake light lags behind the two LED brake bulbs.

If you convert all brake bulbs including the third brake light to LED, you might get an issue with cruise control where it turns off when engaging a turn signal. If so, you need to have one incandescent bulb in the third brake light to fix it, or wire a resistor in somewhere. I recall Chuck Tribolet had such an issue - read his post.

Perhaps I'll convert mine to LED as well primarily for the safety factor. Where did you buy yours?

Interesting that the 2002 PF has the incessant beeping that my mother's 2007 Altima does. Mine just has a steady "ding, ding, ding" if I open the driver door with the lights on or the key in the ignition.

[Pathfinder3.5]

The third brake light has 9 bulbs in it, it isn't LED from the factory. It is clearly visible in your video, the third brake light lags behind the two LED brake bulbs.

If you convert all brake bulbs including the third brake light to LED, you might get an issue with cruise control where it turns off when engaging a turn signal. If so, you need to have one incandescent bulb in the third brake light to fix it, or wire a resistor in somewhere. I recall Chuck Tribolet had such an issue - read his post.

Perhaps I'll convert mine to LED as well primarily for the safety factor. Where did you buy yours?

Interesting that the 2002 PF has the incessant beeping that my mother's 2007 Altima does. Mine just has a steady "ding, ding, ding" if I open the driver door with the lights on or the key in the ignition.

Yeah you know what, Now that you mention it, it does lag a little bit. No where near as bad as the originals though. It's close enough for my liking. I'll have to test my cruse control to make sure its all still working.

My old 2001 LE had the steady ding ding ding, different key and fob, steering wheel, radio and rear seatbelt holders. They seemed to of changed alot of things inbetween 2001-2002.5. Nissan has kept the same door beep for several years now.

I purchased them here http://www.ebay.ca/itm/230640789373?ssP ... 4087wt_118

[Towncivilian]

If you have at least one incandescent bulb in the brake lamp circuit, you won't (well, shouldn't) have a problem.

There is no 2002.5 model year revision - the only ".5" years are 1986.5, 1999.5, and 2001.5. But minor interior changes are expected between years, of course.

Thanks for the link. I'd prefer some LED bulbs that are rated for 14 volts, not 12 as those are, since the vehicle's voltage is around 14.4 when it's on. I'd imagine ones rated for 14 volts would last longer. I'm not sure if any bulbs rated as such exist though, I'll have to do some searching.

[Pathfinder3.5]

If you have at least one incandescent bulb in the brake lamp circuit, you won't (well, shouldn't) have a problem.

There is no 2002.5 model year revision - the only ".5" years are 1986.5, 1999.5, and 2001.5. But minor interior changes are expected between years, of course.

Thanks for the link. I'd prefer some LED bulbs that are rated for 14 volts, not 12 as those are, since the vehicle's voltage is around 14.4 when it's on. I'd imagine ones rated for 14 volts would last longer. I'm not sure if any bulbs rated as such exist though, I'll have to do some searching.

Boy my knowledge on this thing really shows here! I've only seen 12 volt LED's but I may be wrong.

[SBK03SE]

Looks the same to me, but don't mind me.

[Pathfinder3.5]

Looks the same to me, but don't mind me.

If you look at my license plate while im doing the first comparison you can see that the passenger side bulb has a faster on/off rate

[Towncivilian]

Looks the same to me, but don't mind me.

And because LED lights are instant on/off, there is more time for the driver behind you to react - always a good thing.

[Pathfinder3.5]

Looks the same to me, but don't mind me.

And because LED lights are instant on/off, there is more time for the driver behind you to react - always a good thing.

The nice Appearence is a plus

[SBK03SE]

Pshttt safety shmafety... My bumper sticker says : I bet you a new front end I can brake faster than you!

[videoguyjh]

Pathfinder3.5: How did those LED bulbs hold up that you got from eBay? I was interested in converting my tails to LEDs and wanted to know if your eBay bulbs held up or burnt out. Thanks!

[Towncivilian]

FWIW, I have bulbs from SuperBrightLEDs (the $25 45 SMD tower bulbs) in my side brake lamps and they are superb. They are bright, instant (of course), and there is enough brightness difference between tail and brake lights. I also have LED bulbs (5 SMD LEDs) in my license plate lights. I don't think I would trust any eBay bulbs in an exterior lamp. Quality is so hit-or-miss, I'd rather fork out for the well made bulbs in the first place than chancing on eBay bulbs.

[videoguyjh]

FWIW, I have bulbs from SuperBrightLEDs (the $25 45 SMD tower bulbs) in my side brake lamps and they are superb. They are bright, instant (of course), and there is enough brightness difference between tail and brake lights. I also have LED bulbs (5 SMD LEDs) in my license plate lights. I don't think I would trust any eBay bulbs in an exterior lamp. Quality is so hit-or-miss, I'd rather fork out for the well made bulbs in the first place than chancing on eBay bulbs.

Those were the other ones that I was looking at. I'll probably just go with those to be safe. I was also looking at these CAN Bus (AKA "Error Free") LEDs for the third/high mount brake light in hopes that it would prevent the cruise control issue (the truck will think they are traditional incandescent bulbs because of the built-in load resistors?)
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo ... ower/1127/

Same thing with these CAN Bus bulbs for turn signals to prevent hyper flashing. I know on the site it says they are not designed to prevent hyper flashing, but i found on other sites that CAN bus or "Error Free" bulbs do in fact prevent hyper flashing. So, I might give those a try too.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo ... 1326/3049/

Let me know if anyone has heard of these "CAN Bus" / "Error Free" bulbs.

[Towncivilian]

I've noticed those CANBUS bulbs on SuperBrightLEDs' website but never looked into it further. You're probably correct that it would solve the third brake light cruise issue.

Depending on the price difference and availability of specific CANBUS bulbs, it may be a better idea to replace the flasher unit with an electronic version to prevent hyperflashing of turn signals. I think the 18 LED SMD tower should be sufficient for the turn signals, although the price difference between the 18 and 45 LED versions isn't outrageous...

Though I just looked at the CANBUS offerings, they've got 26 SMD LED towers for $20 each so that may be the way to go if it truly doesn't trigger hyperflashing. Perhaps you could send an email to customer support and get an answer.

Also, you can Google for a SuperBrightLEDs 5% discount code. It's not much, but better than nothing. They had a 10% discount code for the holidays but it expired on December 20th.

[videoguyjh]

Yeah, I'll probably end up trying the CANBUS bulbs, IF i go ahead with the LED conversion. I added it all up and it would be about $150 for ALL LED bulbs for the tails, third/high mount brake light, and turning signals. I'll post an update if I do the conversion. I'll keep ya posted. And thanks for the input Towncivilian!

[Towncivilian]

Good luck, and remember to use the discount code! You're quite welcome - I'm probably just as interested in your results as you are.

[Pathfinder3.5]

Pathfinder3.5: How did those LED bulbs hold up that you got from eBay? I was interested in converting my tails to LEDs and wanted to know if your eBay bulbs held up or burnt out. Thanks!

Garbage, absolute garbage. The first set burnt out (Yes, an LED actually burnt out) within the first month. I had to idea that I had no brake lights for god knows how long until someone pointed it out to me. I emailed the seller and they sent another set, same thing. Ripped those mofos out and put the stock ones back in.

It really is a hit or miss with the eBay bulbs. I've been running LED bulbs in my parking lights in my 2010 Sonata for two years now and one just started to get dim (comes back if you hit the headlight). I also had LED's in the foglights of the sonata and they burned out in a month, got another set for free and the same thing happened. So it really is a hit or miss with eBay stuff.

Take my advice and don't cheap out. Yeah, you can get a good bulb from eBay, but when it's put somewhere important, like brake lights, get the good stuff. SuperbrightLeds or DDMTuning sells good stuff. I have DDMtuning bulbs in the rear end of my Sorento now and they're perfect. License plate lights are super bright and have been strong. Taillight bulbs are not as bright as I wish, but they do the job.

Let me know how it goes. I miss my pathfinder now

[videoguyjh]

Definitely not going with eBay bulbs now! If I do the conversion I'll go with the SuperBrightLEDs. They are pricey, but they come with a 2 year warranty which is a big plus.

[videoguyjh]

Just ordered them from SuperBrightLEDs! I got 2 1156 CANBUS 26 LED amber bulbs ($19.95 ea.), 2 7443 45 LED red bulbs ($24.95 ea.), and 9 194 CANBUS 5 LED red bulbs ($5.95 ea.) for the CHMSL. I'll keep ya posted with pics/videos once i install them!

P.S. Thanks Towncilivian for the discount hint! I saved $7 (every little bit helps)

[videoguyjh]

I got my bulbs today and installed them! Check them out:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P04Cc_cyhl8[/youtube]

The CANBUS bulbs for the turning signals did not prevent them from hyperflashing (some sources online said they would, oh well), so i will be swapping the flasher unit out for an electronic one (if i can manage to remove the lower dash panel and find it lol). However, I guess by having the CANBUS bulbs in the CHMSL, there are no cruise control issues!

Overall, i am happy with the brightness and quality of the bulbs. The CHMSL 194 bulbs could be brighter, they are definitely not as bright as the stock bulbs. The 7443 tail/brake light bulbs actually seem BRIGHTER than the stock bulbs and fill the tail light housing with light better than the stock bulbs, in my opinion.

Let me know what you guys think!

[Casutherland42]

Really like the video, I wish that someone would post an installation video? I am fairly new to electronics and car work. I learn very easily through watching something.

[Towncivilian]

I agree that the 45 SMD LED brake bulbs are a great upgrade over the stock brake bulbs. After seeing your CHMSL and turn signals and comparing their brightness to the stock bulbs, I think I'll just stick with incandescent bulbs. It's nice to know that the CANBUS bulbs prevent the cruise control issue with all LED bulbs in the CHMSL.

See this post which shows where the flasher unit is under the dash. You may not even need to remove the lower instrument panel.

[videoguyjh]

Really like the video, I wish that someone would post an installation video? I am fairly new to electronics and car work. I learn very easily through watching something.

I too am not great with car electronics, but replacing the bulbs is very easy. All you have to do is remove the 2 bolts on each of the tail light housings and yank them off (there are plastic pins that hold them in, so you may have to tug a little). As for the CHMSL, there are 4 screws that hold the cover on. And for getting the bulbs out, all of the sockets twist to the left and pull out. All of the bulbs just pull out, except for the turn signals. Those you push and turn to the left to remove. Very easy process. (May be a little different with your '00 pathy, but that's how it is with my '02 QX4)

See this post which shows where the flasher unit is under the dash. You may not even need to remove the lower instrument panel.

Thanks for that! I'll take a look tomorrow to see if i can locate it without removing the panel.

[videoguyjh]

Update: I tried looking for the flasher unit and could not locate it. I did not remove the panel, but I removed the fuse box cover and looked around with a flashlight for quite some time. The flasher unit was not in the location where it was pictured on the pics in other threads. And, I don't feel like removing the panel. There's a lot of aftermarket wiring under there with my remote starter and LED lights, so i don't want to mess around with it. If i had more time maybe i would do it, but i'm going back to school next week. Maybe I'll make it a summer project. For now, I'll be sending the turn signal bulbs back, but I will be keeping all of the brake light LEDs. They look awesome!

[Towncivilian]

You can turn the hazard flasher on, that should help you locate the flasher unit since it will be clicking loudly.

[videoguyjh]

You can turn the hazard flasher on, that should help you locate the flasher unit since it will be clicking loudly.

Tried that lol. The clicking just sounds like its coming from all over the place. And I tried touching every thing that possibly resembled the flasher to see if I could feel it with the flashers on. No luck though. Oh well! I'll just wait until the summer when I have more time on my hands. For now the incandescent turn signal bulbs will do.