LED rear spoiler brake light install
Thread Starter
Supreme Member

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 4
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
LED rear spoiler brake light install
first off... if you're wondering why it all looks melted and burnt, go here:
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=295064
ok, this is the "kit"... its 6 LEDs and a resistor in a plastic baggie... doesnt look like much, but it costs less then ONE bulb, and it works... great.
i had my doubts as ive tried this before... all i got were little LED dots... but these LEDS work. the entire housing lights up very bright, and it is more then bright enough for daytime brake light use......
btw, do NOT look directly into the LEDs when they are not behind the lense.... they are that bright.
ok, heres my install pics...
first, the LED bulbs.
REALLY easy. you just put them into the sockets. if they're upside down, they wont light... but it wont hurt them, just flip em back around.
real easy.. they do come with instructions btw...
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=295064
ok, this is the "kit"... its 6 LEDs and a resistor in a plastic baggie... doesnt look like much, but it costs less then ONE bulb, and it works... great.
i had my doubts as ive tried this before... all i got were little LED dots... but these LEDS work. the entire housing lights up very bright, and it is more then bright enough for daytime brake light use......
btw, do NOT look directly into the LEDs when they are not behind the lense.... they are that bright.
ok, heres my install pics...
first, the LED bulbs.
REALLY easy. you just put them into the sockets. if they're upside down, they wont light... but it wont hurt them, just flip em back around.
real easy.. they do come with instructions btw...
Thread Starter
Supreme Member

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 4
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
heres where i changed from the directions.
to run the LEDs, you NEED a resistor inline before the LEDs... otherwise, they'll blow.
ok, so heres what i did:
the instructions say to cut the wire on the car, and put the resistor inline there...
i didnt want to cut up my car... the housing however.... well, if i mess that up, no loss... i need a new one anyway (see link in first post)
so i cut the power strip where it comes in from the connector.. the cut is where the arrow is pointing.
the wire is soldered to the input pin.. power goes thru the resistor, and back to the strip..
all the power is still going thru the resistor.. i know it doesnt LOOK like it in that pic, but thats because the wire covers it.
i paid only a couple bucks for this kit, and it works really well.... shipped right away too.. im pretty happy about it.. no more burnt bulbs, no more overheating lights. just cool, reliable LEDs..
to run the LEDs, you NEED a resistor inline before the LEDs... otherwise, they'll blow.
ok, so heres what i did:
the instructions say to cut the wire on the car, and put the resistor inline there...
i didnt want to cut up my car... the housing however.... well, if i mess that up, no loss... i need a new one anyway (see link in first post)
so i cut the power strip where it comes in from the connector.. the cut is where the arrow is pointing.
the wire is soldered to the input pin.. power goes thru the resistor, and back to the strip..
all the power is still going thru the resistor.. i know it doesnt LOOK like it in that pic, but thats because the wire covers it.
i paid only a couple bucks for this kit, and it works really well.... shipped right away too.. im pretty happy about it.. no more burnt bulbs, no more overheating lights. just cool, reliable LEDs..
Supreme Member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Car: 1991 Z28 Convertible
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 with Eaton posi
hey man...long time. I was just at radioshack the other day checking out their leds for my vert third brake light. Glad this came up.
So its custom-led.com where u got them?
So its custom-led.com where u got them?
Thread Starter
Supreme Member

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 4
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
Originally posted by Matthew91-Z28
hey man...long time. I was just at radioshack the other day checking out their leds for my vert third brake light. Glad this came up.
So its custom-led.com where u got them?
hey man...long time. I was just at radioshack the other day checking out their leds for my vert third brake light. Glad this came up.
So its custom-led.com where u got them?
yup... $2 plus shipping... great deal.
http://www.custom-leds.com
Thread Starter
Supreme Member

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 4
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
Originally posted by Psycho_91Camaro
I need a bulb!! for my 3rd brake light does anyone know where I can get em?
I need a bulb!! for my 3rd brake light does anyone know where I can get em?
if you have the hatch mount type, goto your local autoparts store. (or the link above for a custom LED one)
the spoiler mounted 3rd brake lights have wierd, hard to find bulbs. the hatch ones use common bulbs.
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Supreme Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 1
From: Greenville, SC
Car: 1991 Chevy Camaro
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Originally posted by Psycho_91Camaro
I need a bulb!! for my 3rd brake light does anyone know where I can get em?
I need a bulb!! for my 3rd brake light does anyone know where I can get em?
But, why keep it stock?
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Southern Maine
Car: 85' IROC & 87' IROC conv
Engine: Both have Vortec TPI 350
Transmission: T-50
Axle/Gears: 3:42 & 3:73
Great info I have been wanting to change over for quite a while, I just ordered 3 kits one for both of my Camaros and one extra kit for my growing pile of spare stuff only $10.50 cheaper than replacing the Halogen bulbs.
Thanks
Tony
Thanks
Tony
Thread Starter
Supreme Member

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 4
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
Originally posted by FerrMaro
How far did your L.E.D.'s go into the socket?
How far did your L.E.D.'s go into the socket?
just enough so they seat.. they wont sit flush with the socket.
Originally posted by FerrMaro
do you happen to know what kind of resistor this kit uses?...I kinda lost mine...
do you happen to know what kind of resistor this kit uses?...I kinda lost mine...
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 1
From: Worcester, MA
Car: 86 T/A
Engine: HSR 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 posi
Its 100 ohm, probably 1 or 2 watts. I don't know what the LEDs are rated at so I can't really say, but 1W should be fine in most cases. Running a single resistor inline is a poor design, but I suppose cost effectiveness and simplicity goes a long way.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 4
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
Originally posted by firebirdjosh
Its 100 ohm, probably 1 or 2 watts. I don't know what the LEDs are rated at so I can't really say, but 1W should be fine in most cases. Running a single resistor inline is a poor design, but I suppose cost effectiveness and simplicity goes a long way.
Its 100 ohm, probably 1 or 2 watts. I don't know what the LEDs are rated at so I can't really say, but 1W should be fine in most cases. Running a single resistor inline is a poor design, but I suppose cost effectiveness and simplicity goes a long way.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 1
From: Worcester, MA
Car: 86 T/A
Engine: HSR 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 posi
Originally posted by MrDude_1
why would you call it a poor design? much better design then a multi resistor setup.... such as one for each light.
why would you call it a poor design? much better design then a multi resistor setup.... such as one for each light.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,550
Likes: 4
From: Charleston, SC
Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
Originally posted by firebirdjosh
How's it better? Putting the LEDs in line has a very good chance that each LED will vary in brightness due to inconsistancies in manufacturing. And if one burns out the whole thing goes out.
How's it better? Putting the LEDs in line has a very good chance that each LED will vary in brightness due to inconsistancies in manufacturing. And if one burns out the whole thing goes out.
all LEDs are in parallel.
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