Cruise and LED lights not working together

Tiny
TIMNC2708
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 256,000 MILES
The cruise control not working with LED brake/tail lights installed. The blinkers were blinking rapidly at first as well so I installed an LED flasher which fixed that issue, I hoped the cruise would be working as well but no such luck. The cruise works fine as long as the lights are off.
Saturday, June 12th, 2021 AT 1:57 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Unfortunately, I don't think there is a solution for this short of the company that you purchased the LEDs from getting an additional relay or control module to "trick" the cruise control to know that the lights turning on are not the same as the brakes be depressed.

The reason is, the original bulbs had separate elements for the stop lamps and tail lamps. The LED lamps only have one. So when you turn the lights on, the tail lamps come on. Then when you press the brake the LED gets brighter.

So when you have the lights on the cruise control thinks you are pressing the brakes which turns off the cruise.

Take a look at this wiring diagram and you will see the bulbs have separate circuits which the LEDs do not. So basically you have voltage back feeding through this circuit which is confusing the Throttle Actuator Module.

Let me know if you have questions on this. Thanks
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Sunday, June 13th, 2021 AT 8:32 AM
Tiny
TIMNC2708
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Thanks, that makes sense. Do you know if there is any LED lights I can get that would take this problem into account or have a work around?
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Friday, June 18th, 2021 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
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Unfortunately I am not finding any that specifically say they will allow the cruise to work.

What I would do is see if the company that makes them has any trouble shooting or has any work around.

If you want to let us know who makes them then we can look into it. Otherwise, let us know what they say. Thanks
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Saturday, June 19th, 2021 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
TIMNC2708
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Here is what I am looking a now, on Amazon:
Visit the Syneticusa Store
4.5 out of 5 stars 777 Reviews
Syneticusa 3157 Error Free Canbus Ready Red LED Brake Parking Tail Stop Turn Signal Light Bulbs DRL Parking Lamp No Hyper Flash All in One With Built-In Resistors.

DT Trading Inc
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Sunday, June 20th, 2021 AT 3:10 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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That looks promising. Again it does not specifically state that cruise will operate but the fact that it comes with the resistors that are needed to preventing confusing the modules due to the resistance not being correct. Plus it appears there is a separate circuit for each light which is what should solve this.

What I would do if this is still an issue is install the correct OEM bulbs and confirm the cruise works and then return all of these or contact them and ask if they have a work around for it.
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Sunday, June 20th, 2021 AT 6:18 PM

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