MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Tarmac_Terrorist on December 14, 2008, 10:12:47 pm

Title: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: Tarmac_Terrorist on December 14, 2008, 10:12:47 pm

Does anyone know if replacing the standard bulbs on the number plate lights with LED's cause any confliction with the car's electronics (like the light out warning facility)?

Also, being lazy  :ashamed: does anyone know what type of bulb is fitted? (can't be arsed to go outside to the garage to get the handbook.)  :laugh:

Title: Re: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: SteveP on December 14, 2008, 10:18:03 pm

I remember from looking into this before with LED bulb's you need to add a resistor in-line for the car thinks the bulb is blown due to the low current being drawn.  :smiley:

Title: Re: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: Tarmac_Terrorist on December 14, 2008, 10:24:23 pm

Thanks SteveP. I remember that being the case for side light bulbs and reap lamps but I wasn't sure if the same applied to number plate lamps.  :happy2:

Title: Re: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: billyboy on December 14, 2008, 10:26:35 pm

think they are C5W 36mm festoons, bought some LEDs a while ago, only to find the BULB OUT message.
put my old ones back in.
I might try buying some lexus ones or new BMWs have them, for a go, some have diodes/resistors in the bulb
billy

Title: Re: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: Tarmac_Terrorist on December 14, 2008, 10:32:42 pm

Thanks Billy. Didn't know about the Beemer ones having inbuilt resistors. Sounds interesting   :happy2:.

Title: Re: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: billyboy on December 14, 2008, 10:35:06 pm

Quote from: Tarmac_Terrorist on December 14, 2008, 10:32:42 pm

Thanks Billy. Didn't know about the Beemer ones having inbuilt resistors. Sounds interesting   :happy2:.

no not sure myself, just heard-MAYBE,  AS that could be a route to follow

Title: Re: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: JPC on December 14, 2008, 11:12:09 pm

its probable that the bmw ones have inline resistors. It would be more logical for the ecu to recognise the correct current tho. Back to vw's, you can buy leds for the rear numberplate's with resistors but they are expensive. You can get them from ecs but apparently the light output looks a bit cheap. I managed to get some festoon bulbs that give a great white output. And because they are bulbs, they draw the right current so no dash errors!

Title: Re: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: NEWEY on December 15, 2008, 07:41:58 am

Quote from: JPC on December 14, 2008, 11:12:09 pm

its probable that the bmw ones have inline resistors. It would be more logical for the ecu to recognise the correct current tho. Back to vw's, you can buy leds for the rear numberplate's with resistors but they are expensive. You can get them from ecs but apparently the light output looks a bit cheap. I managed to get some festoon bulbs that give a great white output. And because they are bulbs, they draw the right current so no dash errors!

link?

Title: Re: LED numberplate light bub replacements
Post by: JPC on December 15, 2008, 09:09:27 am

sorry mate, i was on my phone whilst typing that. its a b1tch to navigate around on it.

its on the ECS website under lighting