[the67beast]

ok, so i have the SX sedan and am looking to replace the rear break lights, rear turn lights with LEDs. Basically I would like all the lights on the back end of the car to be LED.

I have already changed out the license plate and reverse lights.. my question for you is ...

How many bulbs do I need?

2 for the break lights? (1157)
2 for the turning lights? (1157)
is that it.. or are there more..??

wanted to order all at once...

and yes I am being lazy since its pouring rain here and I am not about to go outside and count bulbs..LOL...

Thanks in advance for helping me stay dry!

Daniel

 

[BigE]

Yes you will need those (4 x 1157) plus 2 x 1156 for the turn signals if you are planning to go that far. Don't forget you need to order them in red, white will not work. The 1157s are your Tail/Brake lights, one each for the outboard(fender) lamps and the inboard (trunk) lamps. The inboard ones are funny in that while the 1157 is a dual filament bulb, only one half is used, there a space for a second contact but it's not there. I am presently adding contacts and wiring to make use on the second filament. ForteSX2.4 has already done this and put together a good DIY, see it here: http://www.forteforums.com/forums/forte-sedan-general-discussion/48-brake-light-mod.html

If you do decide to replace the signal lights, you will find that the flasher will now flash very quickly because the load on the thermal flasher unit has been reduced.

You can fix this in a couple of ways:

1. Add a load resistor to your signal light wiring to make up for the loss of load. You will need different size resistors depending whether you replace just the rear or the front and rear signal lights.

2. Replace the flasher unit with an electronic one designed to work with LEDs. While this is the more desired solution, according to the KIA manual, the flasher unit is in behind the dashboard and you need to remove the dash pad to get to it!

Another tip from someone who knows first hand, don't buy the cheap LEDs from Hong Kong/China on eBay. The difference in intensity between the tail/brake light was so minimal that it was unsafe to use them, I ended up taking them apart and changing the internal resistor from a 56 ohm to a 470 ohm in order for there to be a noticeable difference between the tail and brake lights.

I have reordered more expensive ones from the US, including White/Amber Switchback front signals and load resistors.

If you want, I'll take some pictures of the difference between the stock and LEDs and the again when the new LEDs arrive.

Here is more info on replacing with LEDs. Super Bright LEDs - Conversion to LED Car Bulbs

 

[the67beast]

What site did you order the New LEDs from? The us brand? And can you give a link to the specific ones you bought. That would be a huge help

 

[BigE]

The site I ordred mine from is 1157 1156 Autolumination.com leds (Automotive Replacement Light Bulbs, Headlights, Foglights & Lamps)

I ordered them last night and they are already shipped, we'll see the quality soon enough.

The other site that looks good is a sponsor here Super Bright LEDs ? 12 Volt LED Car Bulbs

Check them both out.

 

[Dvipercop]

Question that is slightly off topic, but related. How does one change the outer tail light and rear turn signals? I pulled the access panel in the trunk lining but that only gives access to the wiring for them both. Do you have to take out the whole light assembly?

Nevermind this post, found it on Kiatechinfo.com.

 

[BigE]

Question that is slightly off topic, but related. How does one change the outer tail light and rear turn signals? I pulled the access panel in the trunk lining but that only gives access to the wiring for them both. Do you have to take out the whole light assembly?

Nevermind this post, found it on Kiatechinfo.com.

KIAtech will tell you to remove the entire lamp assembly, you don't need to. Where you see the wires going into the grey socket, just twist the socket and it will come right out, I know, I've done it.

 

[Dvipercop]

I have the Koup, but I'm assuming the light assembly is the same. When I remove that access panel, the wires lead into a rubber boot that goes into metal, not the back of the light housing.

 

[ForteGT2]

I have the Koup, but I'm assuming the light assembly is the same. When I remove that access panel, the wires lead into a rubber boot that goes into metal, not the back of the light housing.

KOUP - You have to remove the tail light assy to get to the light bulbs. The manual says to take it to a dealer but it is not difficult. Don't use a screwdriver as a wedge when trying to get the assy off, instead once you get the nuts off (so to speak...LoL) just push on the studs (why do I feel like I'm writing a porno story...LoL) in order to get the light assy out.

 

[the67beast]

Yes you will need those (4 x 1157) plus 2 x 1156 for the turn signals if you are planning to go that far. Don't forget you need to order them in red, white will not work. The 1157s are your Tail/Brake lights, one each for the outboard(fender) lamps and the inboard (trunk) lamps. The inboard ones are funny in that while the 1157 is a dual filament bulb, only one half is used, there a space for a second contact but it's not there. I am presently adding contacts and wiring to make use on the second filament. ForteSX2.4 has already done this and put together a good DIY, see it here: http://www.forteforums.com/forums/forte-sedan-general-discussion/48-brake-light-mod.html

If you do decide to replace the signal lights, you will find that the flasher will now flash very quickly because the load on the thermal flasher unit has been reduced.

You can fix this in a couple of ways:

1. Add a load resistor to your signal light wiring to make up for the loss of load. You will need different size resistors depending whether you replace just the rear or the front and rear signal lights.

2. Replace the flasher unit with an electronic one designed to work with LEDs. While this is the more desired solution, according to the KIA manual, the flasher unit is in behind the dashboard and you need to remove the dash pad to get to it!

Another tip from someone who knows first hand, don't buy the cheap LEDs from Hong Kong/China on eBay. The difference in intensity between the tail/brake light was so minimal that it was unsafe to use them, I ended up taking them apart and changing the internal resistor from a 56 ohm to a 470 ohm in order for there to be a noticeable difference between the tail and brake lights.

I have reordered more expensive ones from the US, including White/Amber Switchback front signals and load resistors.

If you want, I'll take some pictures of the difference between the stock and LEDs and the again when the new LEDs arrive.

Here is more info on replacing with LEDs. Super Bright LEDs - Conversion to LED Car Bulbs

would love some photos when the come In. I think I'll hold off until you get yours!! Thanks again

 

[ForteGT2]

Don't forget you can mod your inner (trunklid) lights to make them brake lights:

http://www.forteforums.com/forums/forte-koup-general-discussion/49-brake-light-mod-koup.html

 

[BigE]

I have the Koup, but I'm assuming the light assembly is the same. When I remove that access panel, the wires lead into a rubber boot that goes into metal, not the back of the light housing.

Sorry, I guess it's different on the Koup. I know the manual says you need to remove the lamp assembly on the Sedan, but you don't.

Here is a link to some views of my car with the present LEDs. The tail/brake lights are 18 SMD (surface mounted diodes), 3 on top and 5 strips of 3 around the sides. the new ones I ordered are 40 SMD. I have also done the Brake Light Mod.

Click this link --> http://members.shaw.ca/westernAvenger/ForteLEDLights.htm

These are what the bulbs look like side by side.

 

[Serdarat493]

Here is a link to some views of my car with the present LEDs. The tail/brake lights are 18 SMD (surface mounted diodes), 3 on top and 5 strips of 3 around the sides. the new ones I ordered are 40 SMD. I have also done the Brake Light Mod.

While looking at your pictures, which are nicely done, I was almost convinced to not switch to LED's. This being because the light intensity from just the outside lights as brake and the trunk lid only as tails, kind of left somethings to be desired. After seeing the difference after the brake light mod I'm thinking it's still a go.

I am curious though to see what they look like after the switch to the 40 LED's....