Zapps98
Member
I purchased a pair of LED taillight blinkers for my 2012 Sonic.
I also purchased the pair of Load Resistors that were recommended for them.
Most LED Blinkers are going to cause hyperflashing
The Load Resistors are designed to prevent hyperflashing
*Note: Load resistors require to be mounted directly to a metal surface as they can reach extreme temperatures!*
Here is the best way that I found to mount them:
Things you will need:
STEP 1
Remove the all loose compartments to expose the spare tire etc.
STEP 2
Pop off the latch cover.
This requires you to remove the two screws by the latch.
You will also have to remove the 4 clips on the wall-side of the cover.
To remove these clips:
You will then be able to pull the compartment off of the car.
This will take some force/wiggling but it is only held in by some more clips.
STEP 3
Remove the 2 clips on the side rear-quarter panel
These just pop out and don't seem to be holding anything in
STEP 4
Use trim removal tools to pry the rear-quarter panel open
BE CAREFUL HERE
You want to make sure that you are prying close to the pins.
There are two main pins to pull out (they require quite a bit of force as well)
The pins are green and plastic
There is one about 25% of the way down the panel, and another one about 75% down
You should also remove the pin in the upper-rear panel (mine is beige in color)
This one is slightly easier to remove but be cautious as well as there is an airbag located nearby...
STEP 5
Remove the D ring
(This will require the 3/16 socket)
STEP 6
You should now be able to open the rear-quarter panel as far as I have it shown in the picture below.
If not, wiggle it and pry it a bit more as there may have been a pin that you missed or did not see (The important thing is that the D-Ring is not still attached!)
STEP 7
Remove the taillight assembly
The hard part is over, now just remove the taillight assembly
Start by unscrewing the 2 exposed screws.
Then, there are 2 rubber pins on the outside section of the assembly;
After wiggling and pulling, they should come right out
You will then also want to pull all of the bulbs and wires out of the taillight housing as it makes it easier to work with later on. (Set the housing aside)
*This would be a great time to replace the Halogen Blinker Bulb with the new LED Blinker Bulb if you haven't already*
STEP 8
Pull out the dust protector/cord from the taillight area
This part is simple, just pull it out as it is just a rubber "plug"
This will expose the cords that are wired to the inside of the car
STEP 9
Cut open slot to insert T-splices
Most likely, your wires will be wrapped in a rubber casing or with electrical tape
User the flat-head screwdriver to cut a slit about the length of 1-2"
This will be used to insert the T-splices
STEP 10
You will need to locate the yellow wire in the clump of wires. This is the positive wire that is connected to the turn signal
Put one of the screwdrivers in between the yellow wire and the other wires and wiggle it around in order to gain a little slack. Leave the screwdriver in there until the next step so that you don't lose the wire.
STEP 11
Attach the first T-splice
If you are using a different type of splice, you may have to do this part differently
To attach the T-splice:
STEP 12
Repeat the process with a grounding wire
There are two (larger) black wires in the clump of wires
Attach another T-splice to one of these wires as they are required to complete the circuit for the load resistor
STEP 13
Prepare the Load Resistor
This step could be done earlier as well...
The T-splice will have another small part that will clamp directly to the wires
- Strip the wires (if necessary) 1/2"
- Put the wire into the tube of the second part of the T-splice
- Use pliers to clamp the tube down onto the wire (the plastic is kinda thick, so use a lot of force to make it "stick")
- Repeat this for every wire on the resistors
STEP 14
Test the resistors
Plug in the red wire of the resistor to the T-splice attached to the yellow wire
Attach the black wires as well
Test that the resistors are functioning properly:
If the blinker seems to be functioning correctly, proceed to the next step
If hyperflashing occurs, go over the previous steps again and ensure that you clamped to the correct wires, put the right cords from the load resistor into the T-splice, etc.
After you are done testing the resistor, unplug the T-splice connectors and set the load resistor aside
STEP 15
Prepare the Load Resistor Mounting Location
There will most-likely be small isopropyl alcohol towelettes included
(If these are not included, just use some rubbing alcohol and cotton balls as a substitute)
Rub down the area where you plan on mounting the load resistors (I'll show you where I put mine in the pictures below)
Mount Option 1
Double-Sided Tape
Cut a strip of outdoor rated double sided tape, and stick one side of it to the mounting location (I recommend also getting one of the corners of the tape primed by peeling off the second side of the tape as it can be hard to do once it is harder to reach)
Mount Option 2
Screw very short (approx. 1/8-1/4" length) self-tapping screws through the screw holes directly into the metal of the car
FINAL STEPS
You should now be able to pull the cords from the load resistor through the hole and reconnect them to the correct T-splice connectors.
Then push the cords back through hole and pop the rubber "plug" back into its place
Then repeat the same steps for the other side of the car and put everything back in the opposite order that you took it out and you are all done!
I also purchased the pair of Load Resistors that were recommended for them.
Most LED Blinkers are going to cause hyperflashing
The Load Resistors are designed to prevent hyperflashing
*Note: Load resistors require to be mounted directly to a metal surface as they can reach extreme temperatures!*
Here is the best way that I found to mount them:
Things you will need:
- Trim-Removal Tool(s)
- Phillips-Head Screwdriver
- Flat-Head Screwdriver
- 3/16 wrench/socket
- Pliers
- Wire Strippers
- Load Resistors
- *Option 1: Outdoor Double-Sided Adhesive Tape*
AND/OR - *Option 2: Short, self-tapping screws*
STEP 1
Remove the all loose compartments to expose the spare tire etc.
STEP 2
Pop off the latch cover.
This requires you to remove the two screws by the latch.
You will also have to remove the 4 clips on the wall-side of the cover.
To remove these clips:
- Put a flat-head screwdriver into small slit
- Use the screwdriver as leverage to pop the interior pin out of the clip
- Put the flat-head screwdriver under the remaining clip
- Use it as leverage again to pop out the clip housing
You will then be able to pull the compartment off of the car.
This will take some force/wiggling but it is only held in by some more clips.
STEP 3
Remove the 2 clips on the side rear-quarter panel
These just pop out and don't seem to be holding anything in
STEP 4
Use trim removal tools to pry the rear-quarter panel open
BE CAREFUL HERE
You want to make sure that you are prying close to the pins.
There are two main pins to pull out (they require quite a bit of force as well)
The pins are green and plastic
There is one about 25% of the way down the panel, and another one about 75% down
You should also remove the pin in the upper-rear panel (mine is beige in color)
This one is slightly easier to remove but be cautious as well as there is an airbag located nearby...
STEP 5
Remove the D ring
(This will require the 3/16 socket)
STEP 6
You should now be able to open the rear-quarter panel as far as I have it shown in the picture below.
If not, wiggle it and pry it a bit more as there may have been a pin that you missed or did not see (The important thing is that the D-Ring is not still attached!)
STEP 7
Remove the taillight assembly
The hard part is over, now just remove the taillight assembly
Start by unscrewing the 2 exposed screws.
Then, there are 2 rubber pins on the outside section of the assembly;
After wiggling and pulling, they should come right out
You will then also want to pull all of the bulbs and wires out of the taillight housing as it makes it easier to work with later on. (Set the housing aside)
*This would be a great time to replace the Halogen Blinker Bulb with the new LED Blinker Bulb if you haven't already*
STEP 8
Pull out the dust protector/cord from the taillight area
This part is simple, just pull it out as it is just a rubber "plug"
This will expose the cords that are wired to the inside of the car
STEP 9
Cut open slot to insert T-splices
Most likely, your wires will be wrapped in a rubber casing or with electrical tape
User the flat-head screwdriver to cut a slit about the length of 1-2"
This will be used to insert the T-splices
STEP 10
You will need to locate the yellow wire in the clump of wires. This is the positive wire that is connected to the turn signal
Put one of the screwdrivers in between the yellow wire and the other wires and wiggle it around in order to gain a little slack. Leave the screwdriver in there until the next step so that you don't lose the wire.
STEP 11
Attach the first T-splice
If you are using a different type of splice, you may have to do this part differently
To attach the T-splice:
- Put the wire in the guide/resting place of the T-splice
- Close the T-splice with the force of your hands and hold it
- User pliers to clamp the two parts of the splice together until you hear the snap or see it clip
STEP 12
Repeat the process with a grounding wire
There are two (larger) black wires in the clump of wires
Attach another T-splice to one of these wires as they are required to complete the circuit for the load resistor
STEP 13
Prepare the Load Resistor
This step could be done earlier as well...
The T-splice will have another small part that will clamp directly to the wires
- Strip the wires (if necessary) 1/2"
- Put the wire into the tube of the second part of the T-splice
- Use pliers to clamp the tube down onto the wire (the plastic is kinda thick, so use a lot of force to make it "stick")
- Repeat this for every wire on the resistors
STEP 14
Test the resistors
Plug in the red wire of the resistor to the T-splice attached to the yellow wire
Attach the black wires as well
Test that the resistors are functioning properly:
- Turn the key in the ignition to "accessories" mode
- Wait until any chimes have stopped (may require you to close the door)
- Turn on the blinker for the side with the load resistor installed
- Ensure that the blinker is blinking at normal speed and that there is no "hyperflashing"
- Check that the light matches the blinking sound in the car itself
If the blinker seems to be functioning correctly, proceed to the next step
If hyperflashing occurs, go over the previous steps again and ensure that you clamped to the correct wires, put the right cords from the load resistor into the T-splice, etc.
After you are done testing the resistor, unplug the T-splice connectors and set the load resistor aside
STEP 15
Prepare the Load Resistor Mounting Location
There will most-likely be small isopropyl alcohol towelettes included
(If these are not included, just use some rubbing alcohol and cotton balls as a substitute)
Rub down the area where you plan on mounting the load resistors (I'll show you where I put mine in the pictures below)
*You have the option to do 1 or both options below for mounting*
I highly recommend both, but 1 will suffice
I highly recommend both, but 1 will suffice
Mount Option 1
Double-Sided Tape
Cut a strip of outdoor rated double sided tape, and stick one side of it to the mounting location (I recommend also getting one of the corners of the tape primed by peeling off the second side of the tape as it can be hard to do once it is harder to reach)
Regardless of which option you chose, put the load resistor in its desired mounting location at this point (Stick it to the tape, or just hold it there if you decided not to use tape)
Mount Option 2
Screw very short (approx. 1/8-1/4" length) self-tapping screws through the screw holes directly into the metal of the car
FINAL STEPS
You should now be able to pull the cords from the load resistor through the hole and reconnect them to the correct T-splice connectors.
Then push the cords back through hole and pop the rubber "plug" back into its place
Then repeat the same steps for the other side of the car and put everything back in the opposite order that you took it out and you are all done!
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