5th Gen LED turn signal upgrade

Hey everybody.... I have a 2015 Explorer Sport w/halogen. I want to eventually get all lighting upgraded but figured to start small. I bought LED turn signals (3457 & 7440). And of course when I do a straight swap, I get the hyperflash thing. I don't want to use resistors because of the heat issue. I have heard that you can put in an LED flasher relay. I found it in the fuse block in the engine compartment. Has anyone tried this? I see others doing this on older vehicles but not sure if the new electric systems would accept this. I know I can get LEDs with built in resistors but they are pricey. Just wanted to save a few $$ if I can. Any ideas? Thanks.....

 

[PlatinumOwner]

Your Explorer doesn't use relays for controlling the signals, it is all electronic and controlled by the Body Control Module. There is one way to do this without a resistor but you will need an ELM327 and Forscan (plus the extended license on their forum-free)

See this link to get started, the F-150 shares most BCM settings including lighting with the Explorer https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-8dKaS_Spu4Zw4hV_CrKC4tLoP9G8yejqegF1wxIqxY/edit

My spreadsheet for 2016MY(most should be the same for 15MY) https://www.icloud.com/numbers/0AtiYU-yJ4Nrfyfuzp-Mi0l8A#AsBuiltData_2016_Explorer

 

[jsgoofn]

Thank you for the gold mine of information!! I will definitely check out the software and see if I can make it work for me.

Regarding the relay, I was under the impression by replacing the flasher with an LED flasher, then the system would be tricked into thinking all is well with the signals.

Again, thanks for sharing.

 

[drudis]

FYI...
These were a disappointment: http://www.ebay.com/itm/-2x-7443-74...ED-AMBER-TAIL-BRAKE-LIGHTS-BULBS/311841031624
(No hyperflashing, but brightness was about 60% of factory).

FACTORY OFF:

FACTORY ON:

LED OFF:

LED ON:

 

[jsgoofn]

Wow....bummer... I will have to do a video to show what I mean....

 

[drudis]

 

[jsgoofn]

The link didn't work to Facebook. But here is a video of what mine does....