MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: AndyBrown on December 08, 2014, 12:23:27 am

Title: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: AndyBrown on December 08, 2014, 12:23:27 am
Swapped my number plate bulbs for LED a few months back and one of them has started flickering.

Thing is its only once the cars stopped and the engine isn't running.

When I lock it and the lights stay on it does it, fine when the cars running tho.

Any ideas?

Thanks 
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: DamoP on December 08, 2014, 12:24:54 am
where are the bulbs from?
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: AndyBrown on December 08, 2014, 12:43:52 am
A member off here called Matt, not sure of his username.
He was selling the full kit for interior.
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: bbfb10 on December 09, 2014, 09:29:33 am
Same thing is happening to me.  :ashamed:
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: lukemk5gti on December 09, 2014, 10:55:33 am
Same happens to mine and the footwell lights. Was an error free canbus interior led kit.

Seems to be common enough, although mine only flicker when the light sensor detects night, the light switch is on auto and I start the ignition.

If your bulb is flickering during standard use then I'd say the metal strips either side holding it in place are loose so a bump in the road disconnects it temporarily causing it to come loose and turn off temporarily.

Take it out and check it's a snug fit.
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: DamoP on December 13, 2014, 07:02:19 pm
Quote from: AndyBrown on December 08, 2014, 12:43:52 am
A member off here called Matt, not sure of his username.
He was selling the full kit for interior.

I've got sealed sets that don't flicker or have any errors
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: robmcclel on December 23, 2014, 10:19:31 am
I had some cheap ones that did that, they were like a strobe light! The sealed units are a little more expensive but are well worth it.
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: Tim62 on January 06, 2015, 06:29:22 pm
 Mine did the same, then stopped working completely. Cheap ebay LEDs for you! Didn't actually check it when running though, only when leaving it... hmmm...
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: NathED30 on January 15, 2015, 08:30:19 am
Yeah same thing happened to me with the LEDS from Matt, the interior ones seem to be fine but I ended up paying the bit extra to get decent number plate ones. Another case of 'you buy cheap you buy twice' I also happen to have a spare set of good ones for sale


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Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: paulw123 on January 15, 2015, 10:23:08 am
Does the canbus check for faulty interior bulbs, as well as exterior?
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: Cossie Killer on January 15, 2015, 02:10:47 pm
Quote from: paulw123 on January 15, 2015, 10:23:08 am
Does the canbus check for faulty interior bulbs, as well as exterior?

Is this what causes the footwell and reverse light to blink on start up?!
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: paulw123 on January 15, 2015, 04:30:36 pm
well I'm guessing it is the canbus checking if the bulb has blown, by sending a small current and measuring the resistance, the small test pulse is enough to make the led flicker, after so many test pulses it gives up and switches the circuit off, and displays bulb out on dash. Hopefully someone will come along who actually knows..
Title: Re: Number plate LED flickering.
Post by: AndyBrown on January 15, 2015, 05:58:49 pm
Mines only when I lock the car, when I'm unlocking it's fine.