New type of LED DRL 'bulb'...

vincent5525

Mechanic
Jul 2, 2011
267
1
uk, sheffield
Ive cracked and ordered a pair of the "ultimate" LEDs. Ill let you know how I get on. I guess Ill have to get some LED 501's now. Which ones do you recommend?
 
Good man. :) I think you'll agree they look much nicer than the standard bulbs when you've switched them over.

Anyway, I use some Philips 4000K ('warm white') LED sidelights, like these:

http://www.powerbulbs.com/product_detail.asp?prod=179

Unfortunately they don't have resistors built in to fool the canbus system that there's a real bulb installed, so you'll need to use separate resistors. I wasn't willing to mess with cutting or splicing the existing wires just for an aesthetic upgrade, so I bought some xtec resistors which are just plug'n'play - you plug your LED 'bulb' into one end and plug the other end into your car's sidelight bulb holder. They seem to work well enough.

Before I got the Philips LEDs, I used various "canbus friendly" LEDs but they were all either too blueish in their light output for my tastes, or they didn't last long before starting to flicker and fail. You may have more luck with these than I did though? They are certainly a lot cheaper than the Philips + Resistors combo.

I've heard that PIAA LEDs are excellent, and they have the resistor module included, but they are more expensive still...
 

Websta

Active Member
Apr 12, 2011
136
0
Seems a bit odd, if you select the "Pair" pack size, its the same price as the "Single" Pack size??
 
I noticed the same thing but the pair price is accurate (make sure you apply a coupon though as mentioned earlier in this thread, to get 25% off!). I guess the single price will be a bit more than half of the pair price... maybe £16.99 or summat?
 

vincent5525

Mechanic
Jul 2, 2011
267
1
uk, sheffield
I know what Websta means. I changed the quantity to two, and the priced doubled (£30), but then I changed it to "pair" and the price stayed the same. Then I added the discount (£11 total) and got free delivery. I thought it was worth a try. If only one turns then its no big deal, but if I get a "pair" for £11 I'll let you know. As for the resistors required to fool the can bus, I fitted two "canbus friendly" number plate lights, they lit up and looked nice, but it didnt fool the car. I decided to just put up with the warning, but within a couple of days one was blown, so the normal ones went back in.
 

irvine

Guest
Just ordered a set of the ultimate LED DRL's from HIDs4u. Used the discount code and got them for £11.82! Heres hoping these work in the motor, last ones landed in the skip!
 

vincent5525

Mechanic
Jul 2, 2011
267
1
uk, sheffield
Just a quick update guys. I changed the amount to "pair" and did indeed get a pair for £11.82 inc free delivery (3days). Ill let you know how they look tonight.
 

vincent5525

Mechanic
Jul 2, 2011
267
1
uk, sheffield
Hey Mister Gainfulshrimp, how did you get yours to work? Did you just swap and turn on the ignition on? Mine dont light and put on the warning. NOOOOOOO! Ill have to get some wire and check them on the battery just to make sure I aint got two duds.
 

ShaunyboyFR

Carbonpiece
Aug 9, 2011
399
0
Norwich, Norfolk
Just saw you're thread and thought you may like these ;)
in black
picture.php

or chrome
picture.php

both have LED DRL i think
 

Kwok

Active Member
Jan 9, 2010
114
0
You can buy canbus led 501's on eBay.co.uk

I've got a set on my Leon mk2. Initially the seller sent me ones that showed up as an error, they also switch on then quickly off.

I'll have a look and see if I can find the seller i bought from.
 

vincent5525

Mechanic
Jul 2, 2011
267
1
uk, sheffield
OK another update. First of all thanks to Sportbilly for pointing out the obvious. I completely forgot LED bulbs only work "one way". So just fitting the LED bulbs will not work, you must also swap around the terminals on the bulb holder. A word of warning for you Irvine, the bulb holders are very delicate (a nice word for tacky) and will not take much force to snap them, or even worse the lamp housing. So make sure you have lined up the housing correctly before attempting to turn it . So to sum up, they look great with no warnings. LED 501s next mes thinks.
 
Yes, I had to switch the little spade connectors on one of my bulb holders before it would work/light my first pair of LED DRLs. Once swapped, you need to turn off the lights and remove the key to 'reset' the bulb warnings. :)
 

Kwok

Active Member
Jan 9, 2010
114
0
Seller that sold me the led side lights : city-skys. I recommend them as they sent me a few different sets to try on the car. All I did was send them the ones that didn't work. Very helpful.
 

irvine

Guest
OK another update. First of all thanks to Sportbilly for pointing out the obvious. I completely forgot LED bulbs only work "one way". So just fitting the LED bulbs will not work, you must also swap around the terminals on the bulb holder. A word of warning for you Irvine, the bulb holders are very delicate (a nice word for tacky) and will not take much force to snap them, or even worse the lamp housing. So make sure you have lined up the housing correctly before attempting to turn it . So to sum up, they look great with no warnings. LED 501s next mes thinks.

Ok cheers Vincent, away to try and fit them just now so will update when i'm finished, hopefully with success!! :D
 
I found I only had to swap one side (can't remember which one) before both bulbs lit OK.

On a related note, I changed my OE front indicator bulbs - with orange glass - for some fancy chrome effect ones last night. Looks nicer from the front when they're unlit now, but bloomin' hell it was tough to get the driver side one changed. I reckon you need some kind of special claw-hand to do it without swearing!
 

GrahamFR

Now AMG Powered
Dec 10, 2008
4,239
6
Barnsley or Burton
ahaa :) welcome to the shiny side, told you they would look better, try looking at the car from a afar, first time i changed them i actually stopped and looked at my car cos something was blatantly different but i couldnt work it out, looks much nicer imo
 
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