LED Tail Light Upgrade

[nnvi86]

Car: C5 Estate 2.2 HDI SX

Bulb Fitment: BAY15D, 380, 1157, P21/5w

LED Fitment: BAY15D, 380, 1157, P21/5w, RED

This upgrade has messed a few things up. 1st, the led's seem to always stay on.. 2nd, for some reason the 3rd break light stays on to, 3rd, dash lights go crazy, break fail, STOP and hand break symbol.

With the 3rd break being on, am guessing it might be the left side tail has the same fuse?

This image is when the car is locked, lights off.



This image is how good these are




the LED's are from redline and cost £14+ for 2...


Can anyone help or have any idea why this is happening?

[nnvi86]

Image as links, as to big for page.

Car: C5 Estate 2.2 HDI SX

Bulb Fitment: BAY15D, 380, 1157, P21/5w

LED Fitment: BAY15D, 380, 1157, P21/5w, RED

This upgrade has messed a few things up. 1st, the led's seem to always stay on.. 2nd, for some reason the 3rd break light stays on to, 3rd, dash lights go crazy, break fail, STOP and hand break symbol.

With the 3rd break being on, am guessing it might be the left side tail has the same fuse?

This image is when the car is locked, lights off.

http://lfamedia.com/car-locked-light-off.JPG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This image is how good these are

http://lfamedia.com/lights-on-break-on.JPG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


the LED's are from redline and cost £14+ for 2...


Can anyone help or have any idea why this is happening?

[oscar]

Hi not sure but do you need canbuss type on them as many now ie BMW's for instance as a ballast or see's a fault.
I know on mate's Artic think merc actros if picked up trailer with led's unit went ape poo as now there like star ship enterprise with all the bells n whistles.

Have a trundle round net as there's a website that lists leds in uk and lists for car's and types as canbus type. Ho the joy's of modern motoring!
Have leds all round on my Zanty far better idea
Even found some H1 leds now.
there are a few good sellers on flea bay i use.

[waynedance]

I was thinking of changing the rears to led, think I will not bother now.

[nnvi86]

Hi not sure but do you need canbuss type on them as many now ie BMW's for instance as a ballast or see's a fault.
I know on mate's Artic think merc actros if picked up trailer with led's unit went ape poo as now there like star ship enterprise with all the bells n whistles.

Have a trundle round net as there's a website that lists leds in uk and lists for car's and types as canbus type. Ho the joy's of modern motoring!
Have leds all round on my Zanty far better idea
Even found some H1 leds now.
there are a few good sellers on flea bay i use.

oscar i'm not sure what your going on about mate...

[nnvi86]

I've had redline send some resistors out for free to see if that solves the problem!???

[pete-c5]

Hi

I`m not to sure what you have done but the first pic i assume is the original led 3rd stop light, it looks like you have a resistor gone on the second set of 4 bulbs, there are 4 resistors each control 4 leds see this thread and see if it helps at all

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=47000" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[nnvi86]

I dont have any resistor as far as i know?

[myglaren]

The electrical system expects to see a specific load for that circuit and the LEDs present a much reduced load.
it's a common problem. Dropping resistors would probably help. One of our electricians will have more specific advice when they see your post.

[nnvi86]

UPDATE: >
The LED's only trun off when the car Is locked after 3 minutes. I get the resistors tomorrow and should help with the error messages I get. I dont see why It still lights up the 3rd break light!???!???....

So yes the LED's are a great upgrade and give off a awesome true RED light. just need to solve the 3rd break light.

[demag]

Yes Steve is right. With everything on modern cars now being computer controlled, the computer expects to see a certain load exerted on the system for a specific situation. i.e. Lights being switched on. If that task produces a different loading on the system the computer assumes there is a fault situation. So when you fit led lamps, the loading is a lot less than with normal lamps so the car thinks there is a fault like a blown bulb or something similar. To compensate, manufacturers produce led bulbs with built in resistors to fool the car into thinking it still has normal design spec bulbs fitted. So when you fitted non spec led bulbs the car threw a wobbly.

[vborovic]

I don't want to be a spoil sport, personally such lighting modifications are great (my car is the victim in my case ... ), but isn't there a regulation for the max light output from the rear lights? Like how you can't use road-legal 100W off-road H1, H7 bulbs for headlights, or blue halogen bulbs ... ? It is dependent on each country, but i think generally in EU such lighting modifications aren't considered road legal, no?

[old'uns]

For a start why not put the old bulbs back in and see what happens?
long time ago i managed to put my brake/tail bulbs in wrong way round which like yours threw up lights galore and the LED brake light stayed on after locking car for approx 5 mins.
i've tried with 2 other cars to replace various lights with LED's and decided enough is enough, waste of money and time.

[nnvi86]

Good comments guys.

I don't see why its a waste of money or time. The LED's will now out live the car... probably! Where I might have to replace a few normal bulbs.

The resistors will ( i hope ) solve the 3rd break light and the crazy dash messages.

Will let you all know!

I may now replace the rear Indicators and start on the front.

[nnvi86]

This is the company i am using. http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Redline-Auto-Extreme" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/331111030407? ... 1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; < Rear Indicator lights.



there tail red 380 led's lights are a bit expensive but you will see why when you get them in the post.