Hey Everyone,

Recently my RX330's tail light indicator turned on in the dashboard so I decided to replace it with some LEDs instead. I bought some based on bulb size (168). After installing them, the tail lights are now on but the indicator is still illuminated. Is there a way to turn off the indicator on the dashboard? Do I need to get a resistor installed along with the tail light LED in order for the indicator light to turn off?

Thanks

 

You are correct, you need load resistors or LED's labeled for CANBUS as they will have the load resistors built-in. Only the reverse and license plate lights are not CANBUS monitored.

 

do you have a recommendation for load resistors or LED with CANBUS?

 

Unfortunately I don't usually touch the tail/running lights but have used load resistors in the past for turn signals. I also don't have a good recommendation as the load resistors for turn signals will be much larger than for a type 194 bulb.

If you're willing to be a guinea pig report back as my new Audi Q5 monitors the reverse lights and I want LEDs so bad lol

 

I’ve done quite a bit of research on this with multiple vehicles. Audi Q5 reverse lights shouldn’t need load resistors, just get CANBUS LEDs. I use superbrightleds.com, just put in the vehicle and it is usually pretty accurate. Most times you can get away with using CANBUS LEDs everywhere except for turn signals because they hyperflash even with CANBUS, so sometimes you need a regular LED with a load resistor or even CANBUS with a load resistor for some applications. SuperbrightLEDs happens to sell a new turn signal relay for my 91 Land Cruiser that works with LEDs and eliminates hyperflash and they may have one for RX’s too but i haven’t looked in to it. If they do, you won’t have to use load resistors on turn signals. I have used the larger load resistors meant for 1156/3157/7440 applications before and theyre still pretty small and easy to use. Given that the RX330’s stock brake lights use LED bulbs from the factory, i’m planning on getting CANBUS LEDs for the running lights front and back, regular LEDs for the reverse lights, and i’m going to try regular LEDs with load resistors (or an LED relay, if they have one) for front and rear turn signals. I usually just upgrade license plate bulbs to Sylvania’s Silverstar line of incandescents as they appear a brighter white but arent actually any brighter. Bright license plate lights don’t make sense to me. I can post links if anyone wants to see what i’m talking about, specifically.

CANBUS LED Info - SBL

Hyperflash/Load Resistor Info - SBL

 

So here’s my set up. They do offer an LED relay for the RX330 so i dont need any load resistors. #1 is front side markers, #2 is front turn signals, #3 is reverse lights, #4 is rear side markers, #5 is rear turn signals (I’m changing them to red instead of amber), #6 is the turn signal relay. Not doing anything for tail or brake lights since they’re already LED.

I believe the way you determine if you need both load resistors or relay and CANBUS or just load resistors for turn signals is the error reporting system. The RX330 will just hyperflash to warn that a turn signal is out so you just need load resistors or a relay. A newer car that may both hyperflash and throw a message in a multi-function display will probably need both.