MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Welshman Adam on December 12, 2012, 09:54:11 pm

Title: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: Welshman Adam on December 12, 2012, 09:54:11 pm: A few weeks back I fitted LED festoon bulbs in the Golf. They look great, and no problems until very recently.

However they've started playing up. This might sound odd, but I think it's the cold weather. They light up when I unlock the car, however once I'm in the car the warning pops up on the display telling me they aren't working. After driving for a while the light goes out and they are working fine again. Oh and it's both out, not just one.

It might just be that they are cheap eBay ones, but they were advertised as "error free" and have been until now.

Anyone else had this problem?
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: S2 Ant on December 13, 2012, 10:10:27 am: Get an extra pair of eyes to watch them when you try turning them on... As the LED's havent failed but the car thinks they have. It turns them on, thinks they have failed and then turns them off again and gives a warning. Mine started doing it before they failed. From looking at them afterwards, it looks as though they have got too hot at one end and burnt themselves out.

Mine were an e-bay job that were CANBUS friendly.
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: Welshman Adam on December 14, 2012, 08:56:10 am: Sounds just like mine. When I unlock the doors all the lights come on, but now before I even get in the car the plate lights are out but the headlights and tail lights are still on. And now they are staying off for the duration of the journey.

I think the technical term is "knackered".

I'm off to buy better ones as I like the look. Buy cheap buy twice I guess!

Cheers.
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: winrya on December 14, 2012, 09:25:43 am: I had some leds for a couple of years and then one of them started flickering. As good as they look I can't be bothered with the hassle so went to vw and spent £3 on normal no trouble bulbs :smiley:
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: E30Dom on December 14, 2012, 12:38:12 pm: Funny you should mention about cold...

My X-Tec bulbs which have been working great for the last 4 years of use... decided to bring up "Number plate lights not working error on the dash" about 5miles from home on my normal 27mile commute... got home to put car in garage and both lights not working...

Have replaced for some more thinking it could be just age/use as I always have my sidelights on at least when driving... So will keep you updated...
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: Welshman Adam on December 19, 2012, 09:19:24 am: Finally removed the bulbs last night. First thing that hit was the smell! It's like TCP!

Here's a pic. It's clear to see that they have overheated.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F12%2F12%2F19%2Fhu6a4y4y.jpg&hash=7442b935aa43502855fcccbd4baf8d55fba3fd4d)

Apparently they have a 1 year warranty...

Have replaced them with a pair of VW issue bulbs for now. Still want the white LED look though so will invest in the new year.
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: E30Dom on December 21, 2012, 02:18:31 pm: I've replaced my X-tec bulbs and now working perfectly... so 4years and about 60k miles use ain't bad lol

The ones to go for!
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: Welshman Adam on January 05, 2013, 03:26:15 pm: These ones Dom?

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/xtec-c5w-led-error-free-number-plate-bulbs-audi-bmw-mercedes/
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: E30Dom on January 06, 2013, 09:07:39 am: Quote from: Welshman Adam on January 05, 2013, 03:26:15 pm
These ones Dom?

http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/xtec-c5w-led-error-free-number-plate-bulbs-audi-bmw-mercedes/

YES! ;-)
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: Welshman Adam on January 06, 2013, 11:13:53 am: Cheers!
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: ripmateyy on January 08, 2013, 02:36:55 pm: Quote from: E30Dom on December 21, 2012, 02:18:31 pm
I've replaced my X-tec bulbs and now working perfectly... so 4years and about 60k miles use ain't bad lol

The ones to go for!

+1 for xtec!
Title: Re: LED number plate bulbs not working - think it's the cold weather!?
Post by: RetroRaz on January 08, 2013, 04:03:52 pm: i had those XTEC ones for about 4 months, now oen of them started to flicker all the time.

Changed them now for the 18 smd units. Much brighter!