S Model Taillight Upgrade

[Telley]

2020 S Model:
As you know only the bottom brake lights come on when the brake pedal is pressed. It drives me crazy! Obviously the entire housing is lit when the headlights are on at night
Is there ANY way to convert the taillights so all of the bulbs light when the brake pedal is pressed? Not looking to convert to LED just want the entire light housing to light up when braking.
Please help!!!

 

[Telley]

Bump

 

[Tellthemride]

One owner was able to do it DIY, but said it was not an easy task.

Post in thread 'LED taillights on higher trims, price and direct plug and play on LX?'
LED taillights on higher trims, price and direct plug and play on LX?

 

[G-113444]

One owner was able to do it DIY, but said it was not an easy task.

Post in thread 'LED taillights on higher trims, price and direct plug and play on LX?'
LED taillights on higher trims, price and direct plug and play on LX?

Thanks! I don’t really need LED. Just want the whole housing to light up when braking. I am not an electrician but it seems like the bottom lights could be tapped and 1157 bulbs and sockets for the top. Any more opinions?

______________________________

 

[mrad31]

Thanks! I don’t really need LED. Just want the whole housing to light up when braking. I am not an electrician but it seems like the bottom lights could be tapped and 1157 bulbs and sockets for the top. Any more opinions?

Just be careful in your endeavors, this certainly can be done. I ran the calculations once and determined that Kia’s engineers likely only illuminate one bulb because with all three illuminated when braking draws too much current for the gauge wiring installed. It’s possible that it’s okay in short bursts, but stop and go could lead to some heat issues if left halogen. If reconfigured such that all bulbs mirror the bottom bulb’s function it may be wise to retrofit them to 1157 LED replacements. The upper two bulbs will also need new sockets to accept the dual brightness functionality. Since your signal is in the rear bumper there is no need for a load resistor to flash properly.

 

[G-128531]

Just be careful in your endeavors, this certainly can be done. I ran the calculations once and determined that Kia’s engineers likely only illuminate one bulb because with all three illuminated when braking draws too much current for the gauge wiring installed. It’s possible that it’s okay in short bursts, but stop and go could lead to some heat issues if left halogen. If reconfigured such that all bulbs mirror the bottom bulb’s function it may be wise to retrofit them to 1157 LED replacements. The upper two bulbs will also need new sockets to accept the dual brightness functionality. Since your signal is in the rear bumper there is no need for a load resistor to flash properly.

Thanks!