Earlier this year I finally finished full LED conversion to my 2004 Monte Carlo. LED low and high headlights (and I tilted the head lights to point down, trying to avoid blinding other drivers). Only negative with the LED high beams (which also double as DRL), the car reports "high beam out" for a couple seconds.
And I switched all turn signals and side markers to LED. Most people splice resistors in-line to resolve hyper flashing. I am NOT a fan of cutting up the wiring that was original to the car. Instead, I modified the flasher module (also known as the "hazard button"). This works flawlessly and 100% reliable. And I have learned GM uses the same flasher module in a bunch of cars (only difference is the button snapped on), as I did the same mod to my 2004 Grand Am a while back.

Here is a comparison of the LED and incandescent bulbs using the 4-way flasher:

A brief walk around with all LED:

And a comparison of 3 different flasher modules:

Now, I do have aftermarket LED tail lights. The manufacturer does have big built in resistors on them. Those ONLY solve hyper flash for the lights in those positions (so when I wanted to swap the front bulbs to LED, I still needed the modded flasher module). Later this year, I plan to remove resistors on the aftermarket LED tail lights. The reasons I want to do this, the generate significant heat, potential item to fail and they draw more current to emulate having an incandescent bulb. Basically, I want to leverage FULL advantage of being full LED and having the modded flasher.

BTW - I have shared how to do the mod about a year or so ago. And I do have a post in the classifieds, I do sell these modded flashers if anyone is interested.

 

It's true, you are a maniac. You take the long way home to solve this problem. The disadvantages to cutting into and splicing the factory are duly noted and agree with your analogy.
Need to do this to my GMC truck. Their factory lights have been found wanting. Cool Maniac, keep up with the mods, so few will anymore.

 

Thanks for the kind words Greg! Modding the flasher module by and far was the best idea. I found out someone else years ago was selling modded flashers. When I saw his description, I know how his mod was done, as it did not fully restore the proper blink rate, he only did half the mod (what I do is all the way, truly restores the blink rate).
I have sold a bunch of these, but mostly to Grand Am people.
With my 2004 blue Monte, I have yet to cut ANY of it's factory wires for any reason! I find a way to adapt or tie in that is as clean as I can possibly do. Even when I added an XM receiver (only to get my radio to see XM so I could then inject my own audio). I feel it is a bit of a hidden art form.

 

Your the man, have to hand it to you. Always the thinker. . Are you demonstrating the front blinkers right LED (Brighter) left incandescent (not so bright)? The purpose of the LED lights longevity, brighter? I like that you have an aversion to not cut into factory harness. One more thing that cant go wrong if you resist the temptation to take the easy way.

I would be interested in what you do to the led tail lights when you dive into that can of worms. Never considered the heat aspect.I do not want any issues that are preventable so as to not have premature failure. Your tail lights look perfect for your Monte.

Your Monte sounds good, you have a walk around video of your Monte on You Tube. I would like to see all your little details.

I wish the louvers were easier to get put together. They are about $1400 unpainted / unmounted. Would have been nice to get a few of these out there for everyone wanting them. Once again the price was the sticking point. Think my final number start to finish was about $2200 "Fab to Install".

Thanks for being the immortal untiring Monte genius here on the forum for all of us.

 

Sadly, my blue Monte is still down and out waiting for some parts and I have no interest in messing with the tail lights until I can finally roll the car off the lift it is on.
But thanks Gregg! Back when I added a factory XM receiver (just so the XM option would pop up on the factory radio), I refused to splice any of the wiring original to the car. I feel it is almost an art form to find ways to NOT damage factory original wiring (once to do, there is NO going back, or at least no easy way). And I have heard of resistors that are "plug and play" for LEDs, but again, just more stuff to hide around the car and secure (and more stuff to potentially fail). The modded flasher is truly a nice way to go. Works 100% (and everyone who has bought a modded flasher from me has been very happy).

 

Nice, you are the clever one. Figure out the serious way to solve the problem. Read your other message. Will follow up, dog tired, 11;30 now, ugh. Late to bed early to rise. Perhaps one day I can retire like you have. done.

 

I wish the louvers were easier to get put together. They are about $1400 unpainted / unmounted. Would have been nice to get a few of these out there for everyone wanting them. Once again the price was the sticking point. Think my final number start to finish was about $2200 "Fab to Install".

I really like the Louvers you have on your Monte Carlo they were done so well I always wanted something like that on mine.
However someone posted some pictures of a Gen 5 with a louver and now I don't want them any longer Lol. Here are some shots of what that looked like they had to be ABS plastic.
then on the rear quarter what is the louver looking patch thing? Maybe venting the rear wheel well? Reflection maybe?
I am thinking that all MC should be equipped with those Big Spot lights, helps when you go Big footin (lol)


I think the Red is too much

I think the Red is too much

I think the Red is too much

I think the Red is too much

 

Sorry to post on an older thread (been a while since I was on a forum and that's frowned upon from what I remember lol) but I'm trying to find info on doing an led upgrade on my 01 and I can't seem to find much. Can you send me a link to post you made on how to do the upgrade? I've tried to find it but have been unsuccessful with searching for it

 

If you are looking for how to mod the Flasher Module to stop hyper flashing, here is a link on what I did (and I do sell modded flashers as well):
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/fw...signals-61550/

If that is not what you need, then can you give more information to what you are looking for?

 

this is what I was looking for! I always want to change out the head lights to the h.i.d. lights. I've seen a few kits that are plug and play. Thank you!