Will Our Cars Work With LED Turn Signals?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by ebikeman, Oct 29, 2025 at 6:39 PM.

  1. ebikeman

    ebikeman Member

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    I went ahead and put in the module that turns the turn signals into DLR's. With my signals on all the time, I thought I'd put in LED turn signals.

    I was reading that the LED's run at a lower temp and far less current. Because it doesn't run as much current, some cars the flasher expects a certain load and it's not there so it becomes unstable.

    I don't want to buy LED's if they are to low current to work in our cars (no refunds on electric parts) Will our series 2 Prius be able to run LED turn signals?

    Thank you,
    ebm
     
    #1 ebikeman, Oct 29, 2025 at 6:39 PM
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Your flasher isn't going to like that and if they work they will flash really fast. Some of those LED bulbs has been modified with load resistors built-in, so they don't mess with your car's systems - direct replacement. Double check that before purchasing.

    Good Luck.....
     
    #2 BiomedO1, Oct 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Just from a visibility/safety point of view: I recall when new, local buses came out, with what I gather were LED signals, thinking they lacked impact. It seemed like less of a "flash of light", more of a "color appearing and disappearing". Somewhat akin to a diminutive car horn going "meep meep", hard to take seriously.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Oct 29, 2025 at 9:26 PM
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I'm picturing the "module that turns the turn signals into [DRLs]" being something that plugs in between the bulbs and the car's original circuitry. Which might mean the "will LED bulbs work right?" question is a fair question still, but one to be asked about the new module rather than about the car's original flasher.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Oct 29, 2025 at 11:41 PM
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