Led set up

[Reatta90]

Hey guys, I have a 1990 Buick reatta, and I have been replacing the lights with led smds, and I was wondering what I should be looking for on the center tail light and for the parking lamps, or all the bulbs in that housing aside from turn signal. 

[89RedDarkGrey]

http://reattaowner.com/roj/repair-information/repair-tutorials-a-information/category/217-exterior-lights

[DS_Porter 89 Burgandy]

I have done a lot of trial and error replacing the exterior bulbs with LED's, especially the rear STOP/TAIL bulbs. LEDs vary greatly in intensity and color. First of all you want red bulbs not white for the rear because white LEDs result in a "washed out" appearance and not very bright. I also found little difference or a lack of contrast between the tail light brightness and the stop light (turn signal) brightness. In the end what I settled on was a very bright and red LED that is very visible in bright sunlight on the STOP/TURN side. However the TAIL side was also very bright - too bright. I ended up putting a 100 ohm (20 watt minimum) resistor in series with the TAIL light circuit. This results in a brightness that is visible in daylight but not too bright. The stoplights/turn signals (I have four hooked up on each side) really get your attention. I drive day and night with the fog light button depressed at all times so other drivers see me coming.

Here is a link for rear bulbs             http://www.ebay.com/itm/231028588922?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

or search   1157 5630 Chip Cree LED Red

 

 

[drtidmore]

I converted over to LED several years ago when the availability of LED's appropriate for our Reatta's was scarce to non-existent.  I would up sourcing mine out of China.  It was an expensive proposition even then, but I found a 2057 replacement using CREE LEDs, with one of them behind a projector lens and a series around the barrel (this arrangement is common now).  The taillight intensity is brighter than the 2057 but the stop/turn intensity is SIGNIFICANTLY brighter, even in direct sunlight.  If you search you will find my posts and some pics as well.  

 

FYI, converting an '88/'89 to LED is complicated by the fact that the stop/turn/hazard functionality is controlled by an electronic control module and while the bulbs will flash at the proper rate regardless (i.e. LED or burned out incandescent), the bulb out monitoring and the IPC indicators require mods if you want the IPC indicators to function properly.  The '90/'91 returned to a simple mechanical "can flasher" so converting these over is simpler.

Edited June 17, 2017 by drtidmore (see edit history)

[DS_Porter 89 Burgandy]

Gee I've already forgotten about the flasher problem on my '89. Yes it was over-engineered. When I started messing with LEDs I needed to remove the flasher module and study it a bit. It has separate outputs for the lights and the IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster). Cut the IPC outputs and connect them directly to the bulb flasher outputs. You will then need to check your bulbs the old fashioned way - turn on the lights and look at each bulb.

  Another issue you may run into is the front turn signal 890 bulbs on the corner of the parking light fixtures. These bulbs serve as both parking and turn signal using a relay and a voltage dropping resistor. Full voltage and brightness for turn signal and reduced voltage to match the other parking light bulbs. The resistor is located in front of the radiator on the driver's side.

   I used this LED which is bright enough  ---   http://www.ebay.com/itm/141678643282?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I needed to increase the parking light mode resistance using this resistor --- 

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/252614721745?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

You might want to increase this resistance because the parking light mode is still a bit on the bright side. For the small T10 parking light bulbs I used these ---

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/251585066822?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Also to finish off the LED conversion I used these red T10 bulbs on the rear outer ends ---

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/301356520064?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The links to these bulbs are all in the U.S. which makes them a little more expensive but delivery only takes a few days.