Upgrading the tail lights on your 1992 Corvette to LED bulbs can give your car a modern, high-performance look, while improving safety and energy efficiency. However, switching to LEDs isn’t always as straightforward as simply replacing the bulbs. You may run into issues like hyper-flashing or warning lights due to the difference in electrical load between traditional incandescent bulbs and LED lights. Fortunately, installing a LED load resistor can resolve these issues. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the steps of removing your 1992 Corvette’s tail lights and installing LED load resistors, ensuring a smooth upgrade.
Why Upgrade to LED Tail Lights?
Before diving into the process, let’s first understand why you might want to upgrade to LED tail lights in your Corvette. LED bulbs are brighter, last longer, and use less power compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. They also provide a more modern aesthetic that many car enthusiasts desire. When upgrading to LEDs, it’s important to account for the changes in the electrical load to prevent malfunctioning, which is where LED load resistors come into play.
In short, LEDs draw less current than standard bulbs, which can lead to issues like hyper-flashing—where the turn signals blink too fast—or dashboard warning lights. Adding a load resistor simulates the power draw of a standard bulb, solving these problems and ensuring your lights function correctly.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before you start the installation process, make sure you have all the necessary tools and materials on hand. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Replacement LED tail lights
- LED load resistors (one for each affected circuit, typically turn signals)
- Screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips)
- Socket set
- Wiring connectors or crimping tools
- Electrical tape
- A voltage tester (optional)
Step-by-Step Guide to Removing the Tail Lights
The first part of the process is removing the existing tail lights on your 1992 Corvette to make way for the LED upgrade. Follow these steps carefully:
1. Disconnect the Battery
Before working with the electrical components of your vehicle, always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. This will prevent any accidental short circuits or shocks while handling the wiring.
2. Locate the Tail Light Housing
The tail light housing on the 1992 Corvette is held in place by a few screws. These are usually located in the trunk area, near the tail light assembly. You’ll need to access the back of the tail light by either opening the trunk or removing any paneling that may be blocking the housing.
3. Unscrew the Tail Light Assembly
Once you’ve located the screws holding the tail light in place, use your screwdriver or socket wrench to remove them. Be sure to keep these screws in a safe place, as you’ll need them to secure the new LED lights.
4. Disconnect the Wiring
After unscrewing the tail light assembly, gently pull it out from the body of the car. You should now have access to the wiring that powers the lights. Disconnect the wiring harness from the tail light assembly, making sure not to damage the connectors.
5. Remove the Old Tail Lights
Now that the assembly is loose and the wiring is disconnected, carefully remove the old tail lights from the vehicle. This step should be straightforward, but take your time to avoid any damage to the bodywork or connectors.
Installing LED Tail Lights and Load Resistors
Once the old tail lights are removed, it’s time to install the new LED tail lights and incorporate the LED load resistors.
1. Install the New LED Tail Lights
Take your new LED tail light assembly and connect the wiring harness to the LED bulbs. The wiring connectors should match up with the existing harness, but if there are any discrepancies, you may need to use additional wiring connectors to make the proper connections.
Once the connections are secure, carefully place the LED tail light assembly back into the housing and align it correctly.
2. Install the LED Load Resistors
Now comes the crucial part of the process—the LED load resistors. These resistors are typically installed in line with the turn signal circuit to simulate the load of an incandescent bulb. This will prevent hyper-flashing and stop the warning lights from appearing on your dashboard.
Here’s how to install them:
- Attach the load resistor to the turn signal wiring. You’ll usually find the wires for the turn signal inside the tail light assembly.
- Use your crimping tool or connectors to secure the resistor to the turn signal circuit.
- Make sure to use electrical tape or heat shrink tubing to insulate the connection and protect it from moisture or damage.
- Mount the resistor in a location where it won’t overheat. Often, you can attach it to the metal frame of the vehicle, away from other wiring.
3. Reconnect the Battery
Once everything is securely connected, reconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Before you close up the car, test the new lights to ensure they function correctly. Check for any hyper-flashing in the turn signals and confirm that the dashboard indicators no longer show any error messages.
4. Secure the Tail Light Assembly
Finally, once you’ve confirmed everything is working as expected, screw the tail light assembly back into place. Double-check that all the screws are tight and that the lights are securely mounted.
Conclusion
Upgrading to LED tail lights on your 1992 Corvette is a simple way to enhance both the appearance and functionality of your vehicle. However, to avoid common issues like hyper-flashing or dashboard warning lights, you’ll need to install LED load resistors to balance the electrical load. By following this guide, you can safely and efficiently remove the old tail lights and replace them with modern, energy-efficient LED lights while ensuring everything works properly. With your new LED lights, your Corvette will not only look more stylish but also benefit from improved performance and durability.
