LED bulbs

[Kaapse_Laaitie]

I tried fitting LED bulbs last night. The bulbs fit once they fitting but error codes start coming up on the dash when the bulbs are in use - as if the bulbs were not there at all. Could it be because the watts can't be measure in the LED that these codes start coming up? The indicators flashed really fast when i used it as if the bulb had fused or wasn't there.
Is there anyway around the codes? I really want to use the LED Bulbs as they last longer and give off a really good quality light.
Any takers?

[JohnRet.]

Which bulbs have you changed for LEDs?

[BRETTCOLLINS]

My side light bulbs are LED. work fine

[rikrose]

I tried fitting LED bulbs last night. The bulbs fit once they fitting but error codes start coming up on the dash when the bulbs are in use - as if the bulbs were not there at all.

This is a problem with the resistance of the units. There's more details on audiworld.com. The solution is to look into getting extra resistors.

I really want to use the LED Bulbs as they last longer and give off a really good quality light.

They last longer if you don't heat them up. Heat kills them. If you drive with full-beam on, then you'll reduce the lifetime of the LEDs. Even if it gives off "a good quality light", it's not for driving by - sidelights are for marking your position, rather than illuminating where you're driving.

[Virdee Autos]

I got mine from ultraleds and they don't show up a fault.

Let's see how long they last!!!

[Kaapse_Laaitie]

they might just be the wrong ones then? I'll try ultraleds. I changes the tail and brake bulbs as well as the tail indicator bulbs. How much were the bulbs at ultraleds R33V-Spec? I paid £12.99 each for my, but I took them back for a refund when the fault codes started showing. These weren't for a specific cars either... so thats my first mistake. Are there any other places that sale them specifically for our cars. If found a site last week that sold vehicle specific led bulbs, but I can't fine the bl****y site again.

[Virdee Autos]

BTW i'm only using the LED bulbs for the front sidelights, so it may be because your using them more commonly

Can't remember how much they cost, but somewhere in the region of £15 a pair IIRC

[h8cak]

If you have fitted the led's to the brake and indicators your computer thinks the bulbs arnt working as they draw a lot less power. You need to fit resistors inbetween each bulb. They are availible on ebay for about £3 each. I might even have some kicking around?

[dr_wimpkins]

Ive gone through 2 sets of sidelight leds. Anyone got a suggestion for long lasting ones?

[rikrose]

Don't use your main beams. The big bulb burns them out. That's it. Or switch back to incandescent bulbs.

[dr_wimpkins]

My mains are also HID, so should be much cooler

[rikrose]

Do your LEDs bulbs have big heatsinks on them (or advertised as doing so)?

The ones I bought after doing my research seem to have lasted so far - see this thread for details.

[Virdee Autos]

Yep I used the ones without the heat sink, and they were kaput within 2days!

New ones with heat sink have been good so far!

[andybnwc]

rear leds always need resistors stop and tail ,front seem to get away with it as for blowing front sidelights ive had sets lasting for 3 years and others ive seen blow within days always been in golfs and beetles and always passenger side too ?