LED turn signals and hyperflash, BCM reprogram?

Mogo · Nov 13, 2013

So I changed out all of my filament bulbs to LEDs, and now of course I have the fast blinkers that make it look amateur. I've looked at wiring in the resistors but to be honest I'm really not excited about that option due to potential shorts and heat/fire issues.

Has anybody considered reprogramming the BCM (body control module) to ignore whatever "hey your blinkers aren't drawing enough power, therefore your bulb is burnt out" warning that causes hyperflash?

Is this even something that is possible? Can the techs at the stealership do something like this?

Note that the hazards still flash at normal speed, and our trucks don't have a blinker relay that you can replace like previous generations, so I would guess that it's some kind of if/then logic in the computer that could be turned off.

Any thoughts?

TedB · Nov 14, 2013

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ARH1956 · Nov 16, 2013

Mogo said:
So I changed out all of my filament bulbs to LEDs, and now of course I have the fast blinkers that make it look amateur. I've looked at wiring in the resistors but to be honest I'm really not excited about that option due to potential shorts and heat/fire issues.

Has anybody considered reprogramming the BCM (body control module) to ignore whatever "hey your blinkers aren't drawing enough power, therefore your bulb is burnt out" warning that causes hyperflash?

Is this even something that is possible? Can the techs at the stealership do something like this?

Note that the hazards still flash at normal speed, and our trucks don't have a blinker relay that you can replace like previous generations, so I would guess that it's some kind of if/then logic in the computer that could be turned off.

Any thoughts?

Resistors properly installed across the bulb contacts are far less risky than allowing some goober at the dealership to experiment with the settings on your electronics, although I feel it is impossible that you'll find a tech willing to risk it and possibly "brick" your BCM. As a side note I've seen LED replacement bulbs on the "net" with internal resistors built into the bulbs.

IRONMAN · Nov 16, 2013

This has been an ongoing battle for me, but if you figure something out please share.
I've also thought about the reprogramming of the computer but that might be easier said then done.
I would like to find the main fuse area that the turns work off and maybe build a central bulb hub to control the hyper flash for each turn signal area. hmmm

Chris@FreedomMotorsports · Nov 16, 2013

I believe the person to ask about that would be someone like Mike at 5Star, someone that has real programming experience. I agree with not allowing the dealership try to do something like that, most won't do any kind of special tuning for the most part because their techs for the most part aren't usually trained for actual programming stuf like that. Not to mention the liability if something goes wrong. Personally, I would rather install the resisters than mess with programming, but, I will send a link to this thread to Mike to get his take on it.

---------- Post added at 10:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 AM ----------

I just talked to Mike and he said that the BCM reprogramming is not a possible solution. Sorry guys...

Hockster · Nov 16, 2013

You need to know what the system has been designed for and add amps or resistors to make with in the design. SO if its designed to have 3watts and yours is asking to draw 8 watts you need to add a resistor to lower it to 3 and vise versa.
By reprogramming the control module You would want the module to allow for these led lights and change what the system is designed for. This would be as much a cause for a fire as would letting someone mess with it. (unless the leds take less to run)
and after the reprogramming you would then need match the vehicle to the PCM to the modules. The system must know what is installed for the data links to connect and the PCM to control and communicate

Mogo · Nov 16, 2013

Chris@FreedomMotorsports said:
I believe the person to ask about that would be someone like Mike at 5Star, someone that has real programming experience. I agree with not allowing the dealership try to do something like that, most won't do any kind of special tuning for the most part because their techs for the most part aren't usually trained for actual programming stuf like that. Not to mention the liability if something goes wrong. Personally, I would rather install the resisters than mess with programming, but, I will send a link to this thread to Mike to get his take on it.

---------- Post added at 10:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 AM ----------

I just talked to Mike and he said that the BCM reprogramming is not a possible solution. Sorry guys...

Mike's good people, I bought a SCT tuner from him earlier this year.

My understanding is that he primarily deals with the engine management computer rather than the BCM. Surely the techs have some way to talk to the BCM if for no other reason than diagnostics?

I'm hoping that a Ford techie or somebody with an intimate understanding of the electronics on our trucks can chime in.

---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:07 PM ----------

Hockster said:
(unless the leds take less to run)

This is my understanding, that the LEDs draw quite a bit less than the old fashioned bulbs.

However, I freely admit that I am a complete electronics novice and don't really know shit about it. That's why I come to this forum!

:happy160:

LED turn signals and hyperflash, BCM reprogram?

Mogo

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TedB

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ARH1956

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IRONMAN

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Chris@FreedomMotorsports

FRF Gofur

Hockster

My 45ft Bluewater Party

Mogo

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