LED sidelights & registration plate lights

[BoBdOg!]

Hi guys,

I have been using LED sidelights and registration plate lights for a few months now, I've had 3 sets of each already........ The reason - after working fine for a few weeks randomly one of each will not come on. I turn my lights on and off a few times then eventually it will come on. After buying 3 sets from 3 different people I'm now wondering if my car really doesn't like the LED stuff. I always buy the error free ones and as I say they work great no problems for a few weeks.

After leaving the LEDs out for a few days I gave them another try - WORKING..... Only 2 days this time until I get the issue again!!!

I really need help as they look so good and I can't stand then yellow standard lights. Also I have HIDs so it just doesn't match at all.

Please help me!!!! Thanks!

 

[TarekElsakka]

Yeah, well, the Leon is a pain in the butt when it comes to handling LEDs because of the CAN-BUS system. Although there are a lot of LED sidelights and registration plate lights out there, the built-in capacitor/decoder in them is very weak and dies out rather quickly, which is why it keeps popping up errors every now and then. Unfortunately, I've had to deal with those ever since I purchased the car but as you said, they're much, much better looking than halogen ones and also longer lasting.

 

[LeonCR]

I shall be testing a new set of resistors from parts u like, just need to wat for the weather to get a bit better

 

[BoBdOg!]

Thanks for your helpful posts guys. I guess for now ill just have to be prepared the replace every now and then!!

 

[CHR15B]

I think the method Nath has used is your best bet. If I was fitting them, this is what I'd do.

Post should be easy to find, he spliced in a standard bulb to the rear wiring and hid it into the bumper.

 

[Nath.]

The problem with the so called can bus friendly ones is that the built in resistors are not quite high enough resistance for the Leon. As with all resistors they resist less as the heat builds up. Many of the so called can bus ones will work fine for about 3-4 mins then flag an error for this exact reason.

Sidelights need to have a resistor with 181 stamped on it for them to work properly.

The reg plate ones are a different issue. These don't work very well because the 2 lights are wired parallel. 2 resistors in parallel have their values halved. Ohms law

Another problem is that wire wound resistors get very hot, hotter than a 5w bulb. So it's safer to have a 5w bulb to fool the ECU and probably cheaper too.

You need a bulb holder>>>>>>http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T10-W5W-1...CarParts_SM&hash=item5d3988f135#ht_2724wt_906

Then a bulb and 2 crimp connectors to do a splice job. Then as said with the reg plate one, just tuck the bulb up inside the bumper where the light can't be seen.

 

[LeonCR]

I actually have a set of resistors that parts u like sent me, they seem to work fine will be posting up about them properly in a few days

 

[LeonCR]

Oh they attach very similar to the bulb holders you linked too

 

[BoBdOg!]

The problem with the so called can bus friendly ones is that the built in resistors are not quite high enough resistance for the Leon. As with all resistors they resist less as the heat builds up. Many of the so called can bus ones will work fine for about 3-4 mins then flag an error for this exact reason.

Sidelights need to have a resistor with 181 stamped on it for them to work properly.

The reg plate ones are a different issue. These don't work very well because the 2 lights are wired parallel. 2 resistors in parallel have their values halved. Ohms law

Another problem is that wire wound resistors get very hot, hotter than a 5w bulb. So it's safer to have a 5w bulb to fool the ECU and probably cheaper too.

You need a bulb holder>>>>>>http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T10-W5W-1...CarParts_SM&hash=item5d3988f135#ht_2724wt_906


Then a bulb and 2 crimp connectors to do a splice job. Then as said with the reg plate one, just tuck the bulb up inside the bumper where the light can't be seen.

Might give that one a go, I tried the resistors and like you said they get hot!! The last one had most of my skin stuck to it haha

 

[BoBdOg!]

What do you think of these? Reckon they will still get mega hot? eBay Item Number - 230988535688