Brake light flashing or flickering can be a common issue when using LED brake light bulbs instead of traditional halogen bulbs. This happens because LED bulbs have different power requirements and configurations, which can cause compatibility issues with the car's electrical system. Let's explore the reasons behind brake light flashing and how to address this problem.
The term "brake light" typically refers to the red lights illuminating in the taillight assembly when you press the brake pedal. These lights serve as a warning to other drivers that your vehicle is slowing down or stopping. Additionally, there are several related warning lights on the dashboard that can indicate issues with the braking system, such as the ABS, traction control, brake pads, or parking brake.
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If any of these warning lights come on or you experience problems with the braking system, it is essential to have it inspected and repaired by a qualified mechanic to ensure safe driving.
Recognizing the importance of brake lights can ensure our driving safety. Brake lights are located on the rear side of the vehicle and are primarily used as a message sign to alert drivers and pedestrians behind you that you are preparing to slow down or stop. For reducing rear-end collision accidents and improving road safety, the correct operation of brake lights shouldn't ignore.
It is currently illegal in most states to set brake lights in a rapid flashing pattern. Not to mention the inconsistent flashing frequency of the brake lights can be extremely annoying and confusing. Especially at night, flashing brake lights can distract other drivers and may even lead to accidents. So for the LED brake light flashing situation is the important problem that needs to be solved.
Before understanding why LED brake lights flicker, it is necessary to know its general working principle.
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When you press the brake pedal, an electrical current is sent to the brake bulbs through a series of wires and connectors. The brake bulb contains a filament, typically made of tungsten, that is connected to the positive and negative terminals of the bulb. When the current flows through the filament, it heats up and produces light, illuminating the brake bulb.
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In many vehicles, the flasher unit in the vehicle is usually a relay, which works by heating the bulb with electric current through the relay. The current consumption of the flasher unit causes the relay to open and close, resulting in a flashing effect. However, because LED bulbs consume less current than halogen lamps, the voltage in the electrical system is unstable and fluctuates, and the relay switches on and off too quickly, resulting in a strobe effect.
Because the LED brake light bulb requires less power to operate than traditional bulbs, which can cause the vehicle's electrical system to think that the bulb is burned out or not functioning properly. Thus the brake light strobe occurs during braking. There is also a reason that LED bulbs may not be compatible with certain vehicles’ electrical systems, which can cause flickering, dimming, or flashing of the brake lights. So before installing LED bulbs, please ensure that they are compatible with your vehicle's electrical system. You can consult with a qualified technician or the manufacturer of the LED bulbs to confirm compatibility.
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) refers to controlling the average current and voltage delivered to a load by rapidly opening and closing a switch between the load and the power source. When using PWM, the PWM controls the current sent to the LED bulb, which turns on and off quickly at a high frequency at rated current, creating the illusion of a steady light output. But because the current required by the LED bulb does not match the current of the original bulb, the frequency of the PWM signal is too low, which will cause the LED bulb to flicker or strobe.
Here are two ways to solve the LED brake light flicker when braking:
A resistor is a device designed to stop the passage of current and is used to reduce or lower the current and regulate the signal voltage. Because LED bulbs do not consume the same amount of energy and power as the original bulb, a resistor can reduce the current through the LED bulb and even out the voltage to achieve a balanced and stable condition, thus solving the LED brake light flicker during braking.
The most surprising thing is that with the increasing frequency of application of LED bulbs in car lighting, many LED bulb manufacturers have launched an LED bulb with a built-in decoder that is easier to install and occupies a smaller area. It replaces traditional filament bulbs with CANbus-compatible LED bulbs. These LED bulbs have additional resistors built into them that help adjust their characteristics so that they are closer to the parameters that the CANbus system is looking for, thus solving the problem of flicker.
For both of these methods, I personally would recommend the second solution. Maybe you are wondering, let me tell you why I recommend the second method. The resistor installation procedure is relatively complicated, and will be hot when working externally, you need to wear a safety device on your hand when performing the replacement operation. If you choose LED bulbs with built-in resistors, it is easy to install and more friendly to novices. Although their heat dissipation is slow, there are built-in resistors with heat sinks available for purchase.
Of course, if you feel that the above two methods are very troublesome and do not want to do it by yourself, or the above two methods can not solve your car's complex flashing situation, please contact the professional staff to help and solve the problem.
After knowing how to solve the brake light flashing, we can learn about the brake lights and the importance of solving brake light problems as well as the causes of the problem, so that we can better understand and operate the brake lights to ensure driving safety.
Question: Why is my brake light flashing on one side and normal on the other?
Answer: A brake light that works properly on only one side is usually a bulb or socket problem. This may include a socket that is connected to a dirty or corroded socket, or a socket whose wiring is worn to the point where it can only be connected intermittently. Also try replacing a known good bulb from the other side to verify if a bad bulb is the cause.
Question: Is it okay to drive with the brake lights on all the time?
Answer: While this may seem like an easy problem, having your brake lights on should not go unnoticed, as drivers behind you cannot tell if you are braking, which could lead to a collision. Also, depending on your state, you may be pulled over and fined. So it's best to fix it as soon as you spot it.
Question: Why do my brake lights stay on while driving?
Answer: A common reason why your car's brake lights won't turn off is a faulty brake light switch. This component can be found under the dashboard attached near the brake pedal. It can also be the result of a worn or missing front, a stuck brake pedal, etc. Sometimes, a brake light that won't turn off or on can be caused by faulty wiring. If you have tried everything to fix the brake lights and they still won't turn off or on, then that may be the problem. If you still cannot find the cause of the problem, it is recommended that you contact a professional to inspect your vehicle and have it repaired immediately.
(TIPS: If the brake lights stay on when the car is stopped, it will drain your battery. The immediate solution to avoid battery drain is to remove the light fuse or disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid power flow.)
Question: What does it mean when the ABS and brake light come on at the same time?
Answer: When the ABS and brake lights come on together, it means there is a problem with your car's brake system. You need to check the brake fluid level. If the level gets lower, the brake light (the icon with the circle, the center that lights up when the handbrake is applied) will be lit. Then rule out whether there is a brake fluid leakage phenomenon, if not, the low level may be caused by brake pad wear. If there is no problem above, it is recommended to take ABS code reader to a professional repair shop for troubleshooting and repair.
If you are already using LED brake bulbs and have the problems described above, I hope this article can help you. If you are considering or looking for good LED bulbs for tail lights, you can read our previous blog - REVERSE/BRAKE LED UPGRADES FOR IMPROVING TAIL LIGHTING.
Muy satisfecho con las luces muy brillantes me encantaron
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Great service! Really like the LED headlight bulbs, it helps me a great deal when driving at night.
Incredible value, super high quality and definitely produce a lot of light!
I replaced my OEM halogen fog lights with the Auxito LEDs because I hated the amber glow. I have other lights for when I need amber. I wanted the 6500k color to match my other lights. The headlights are next. These Auxito LED Fog light bulbs look 100x's better than OEM.
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