LED Bulbs

krzracingcouk · 07-01-17, 05:37 PM

Hi Guys,

Do not know if anyone has done this, I thought I would cover all the tail lights to LEDs on my Coupe GT 5s - boy is there a difference

I have 2 problems, first is indicators are a lot faster and I have read around about LED relays but not sure which one to get - can anyone advice?

Second one is strange, the LED bulbs work on the brake lights and indicators but not the side lights

any ideas why?

John. · 07-01-17, 06:11 PM

LED's are polarity sensitive, try removing the bulb, rotate 180 degrees and refit.

Above is regards the side lights, assuming you mean the front lights and they're NOT bayonet type?

Duffy3074 · 07-01-17, 06:24 PM

The indicators will be down to resistance (you need some and led's don't have any).

Same basic mechanism as to why cars with an indicator bulb out flash faster.

You either buy special led's with a resistor built in (usually labelled canbus ready) or get the soldering iron out and out some over the connection.

krzracingcouk · 07-01-17, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John.

LED's are polarity sensitive, try removing the bulb, rotate 180 degrees and refit.

Above is regards the side lights, assuming you mean the front lights and they're NOT bayonet type?

I mean the rear red side lights/driving lights/what ever the silly things are called

Yes they are bayonet.

Quote:

You either buy special led's with a resistor built in (usually labelled canbus ready) or get the soldering iron out and out some over the connection.

I have the LEDs already, and was wondering if anyone had tried these before :- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fix-Flash-...QAAOSwo4pYGlPr

John. · 07-01-17, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krzracingcouk

I have the LEDs already, and was wondering if anyone had tried these before :- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fix-Flash-...QAAOSwo4pYGlPr

At £6.49 it would save you adding resistors to the wiring.....money well spent I would say....assuming it works?!

.......I would call rear position lights:- tail lights.
.....front lights:- side lights.....then dipped beam.....and main beam.

krzracingcouk · 07-01-17, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John.

.......I would call rear position lights:- tail lights.

I knew they had a proper name, just could not remember what is was

John. · 07-01-17, 07:33 PM

Ok, rear lights........are you replacing 5/21watt bulbs? If yes how did you test them...did you turn on lights and then press brake? Maybe bulb is fitted wrong.

How I would fit;-
Turn side/tail lights on.
Fit stop/tail bulb noticing intensity of light, remove bulb and rotate 180 degrees then refit noticing intensity of light..........the bulb will be brighter when the brake light circuitry is energised........so refit the bulb so the light is less intense, do the same for the other side.
Then recheck operation.
If the lights all worked before there's no reason why they shouldn't work with LED bulbs....IMHO

...checked your fuses?

krzracingcouk · 07-01-17, 07:47 PM

I have separate bulbs for the tail light and break light. Turn on lights and works with standard bulb and works fine, change to LED bulb and nothing, then back to standard bulb and ok again

Only thing I can think is tail light is reverse polarity, will try again tomorrow.

John. · 07-01-17, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krzracingcouk

I have separate bulbs for the tail light and break light. Turn on lights and works with standard bulb and works fine, change to LED bulb and nothing, then back to standard bulb and ok again

Only thing I can think is tail light is reverse polarity, will try again tomorrow.

Dodgy Chinese bulb ?????

krzracingcouk · 07-01-17, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John.

Dodgy Chinese bulb ?????

Bulb works fine as a break bulb and indicator bulb, just not a tail light.

07-01-17, 06:11 PM	#2
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,520	LED's are polarity sensitive, try removing the bulb, rotate 180 degrees and refit. Above is regards the side lights, assuming you mean the front lights and they're NOT bayonet type? Last edited by John.; 07-01-17 at 06:28 PM.

07-01-17, 07:47 PM	#8
krzracingcouk Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plympton, Plymouth Posts: 471	I have separate bulbs for the tail light and break light. Turn on lights and works with standard bulb and works fine, change to LED bulb and nothing, then back to standard bulb and ok again Only thing I can think is tail light is reverse polarity, will try again tomorrow. __________________ Audi = Acceleration Under Demonic Infulence Current Car - Audi Coupe GT 5S 1982 Model Mark 1 Been in the family now for 30+ years. Restoration Thread Also Weekend Cars - Audi A4 Touring Car, Audi A4 DTM

07-01-17, 06:24 PM	#3
Duffy3074 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Dalgety Bay, Fife Posts: 2,078	The indicators will be down to resistance (you need some and led's don't have any). Same basic mechanism as to why cars with an indicator bulb out flash faster. You either buy special led's with a resistor built in (usually labelled canbus ready) or get the soldering iron out and out some over the connection.

07-01-17, 07:33 PM	#7
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,520	Ok, rear lights........are you replacing 5/21watt bulbs? If yes how did you test them...did you turn on lights and then press brake? Maybe bulb is fitted wrong. How I would fit;- Turn side/tail lights on. Fit stop/tail bulb noticing intensity of light, remove bulb and rotate 180 degrees then refit noticing intensity of light..........the bulb will be brighter when the brake light circuitry is energised........so refit the bulb so the light is less intense, do the same for the other side. Then recheck operation. If the lights all worked before there's no reason why they shouldn't work with LED bulbs....IMHO ...checked your fuses?